The No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers picked up a big win to open the 2019-20 season as the reigning national champions went on the road and stymied the Syracuse Orange in a 48-34 win. That’s right, 34. Although the Virginia offense struggled at times — especially from beyond the arc — the defense was in mid-season form.
To breakdown the game a little further, let’s look at some of the numbers that stood out.
11 - Since Tony Bennett arrived on Grounds, the Cavaliers have won every single season opener. This was the 11th straight, with Syracuse joining Longwood, Roanoake, South Carolina State, George Mason, James Madison (x2), Morgan State, UNC-Greensboro (x2), and Towson as teams that fell to the Hoos on opening night.