Next up on Sunday is UVA, our last Power 5 opponent of the regular season. Of all the games against P5 teams so far, this one looks like the most winnable, but it's no gimme. UVA was predicted to finish last in the ACC this year and they've gotten off to a poor start, but they have a few quality players, and only two players on the roster are under 6' tall. They are currently 2-6 this year with wins over UC-Fullerton, and just this week, William and Mary. All loses, except Richmond (by 9), have been in by double figure margins. Other losses were to James Madison, UCF, USC (Southern Cal), UCLA, and Rhode Island.
As a team, UVA averages 58.4 ppg on 38.3% shooting, and 25.2% from beyond the arc. However, they have been a poor free throw shooting team, averaging 57% from the line, and are turnover prone at almost 19 TOs a game. After our JMU matchup, GW now averages 47.4 ppg on 33% shooting, and 25.2% from beyond the arc, but shoots 73% from the free throw line and turns over the ball at a 15.5 TO per game clip. Defensively, UVA gives up 65.4 ppg, while GW is at 51.6 ppg, having held six of our 8 opponents to 50 points or below.
UVA's best players are Camryn Taylor, a 6'2" forward who averages 15.3 pts and 7.3 rebs, and Amandine Toi, who averages 12.5 pts. They have nine players who get significant minutes, so there could be surprises lurking from the bench.
For GW, it's hard to predict who the scorer of the day might be. Ty Moore limped off the court on Thursday, so no telling if she'll be at full strength, or even play at all. Hopefully, multiple players will step up, and we'll be able to amass enough points to win, because our defense should be solid, as it usually is.