Hunter making mark for No. 4 Virginia in Battle 4 Atlantis
AP
Nov 23, 2018
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) De'Andre Hunter is rapidly developing into a game-changing presence in fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers's lineup.
The 6-foot-7 redshirt sophomore matched his career high with 23 points and hit a critical late 3-pointer to help the Cavaliers hold off Dayton Flyers 66-59 in Thursday's Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals. It was his second big outing in two days in the Bahamas, a sign that last season's Atlantic Coast Conference sixth man of the year is poised to thrive in a leading role.
''Every game you sort of start over,'' Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. ''But as long as he's ready to go and has that mindset of being defensive-minded and then aggressive with soundness offensively, that's all I can ask for from him.''
Virginia (5-0) advanced to Friday's championship game to face No. 25 Wisconsin, which beat Oklahoma in a semifinal to start the four-game slate on Thanksgiving Day. Florida beat Stanford and Butler beat Middle Tennessee in the consolation bracket.
Hunter had 15 points, eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists in the first-round win over Middle Tennessee, a sneaky-good performance that even had Bennett surprised by his assist total afterward.
On Thursday, he roamed everywhere and essentially played as the 5-man in a small-ball lineup down the stretch as Virginia sought to counter Dayton's athleticism. He's athletic enough to harass smaller players on the wing but strong enough to wrestle with big men with his 225-pound frame.
''I think it helps a lot offensively and defensively,'' he said. ''I can switch 1 through 4, maybe sometimes guard a 5. And offensively, I can bring the big man out and let our guards drive and attack.''
He hit the game's biggest shot, too.
Leading 60-56 with the shot clock dwindling, Hunter took a pass on the right side and pump-faked to get Dayton's Obi Toppin airborne. He calmly took a dribble as Toppin flew by and buried a 3 with 53.1 seconds left, helping the Cavaliers hold on after the Flyers (4-1) shot 55 percent after halftime.
''You get a miss there and who knows - you get a transition opportunity, it's a different ballgame,'' Dayton coach Anthony Grant said. ''That was huge. He's a big player and made a big-time play for his team.''
NO. 25 WISCONSIN 78, OKLAHOMA 58
Oklahoma sent a steady stream of double teams at preseason Associated Press All-American Ethan Happ. Wisconsin's D'Mitrik Trice took advantage of the open looks.
Trice set career highs with 25 points and a tournament-record seven 3-pointers - a mark matched by Butler's Sean McDermott in Thursday's final game - after going 0 for 5 from behind the arc in Round 1.
''We definitely expect teams to go two at the ball with Ethan when he has it,'' Trice said. ''I think that opens up a lot of guys and Ethan finds open teammates.''
Trice started 7 for 7 on 3s, the last when he pump-faked a defender and stepped to his right to hit for a 66-47 lead with 6:22 left. He finally missed with 5:57 left to finish at 7 for 8.
That was the first missed 3 after halftime for the Badgers (5-0), who made 8 of 9 in the second half and 14 of 22 for the game. Wisconsin shot 59 percent after the break.
Christian James scored 18 points for the Sooners (4-1), who shot 47 percent. They next face Dayton in Friday's third-place game.
FLORIDA 72, STANFORD 49
Florida coach Mike White finally had reason to feel more at ease.
Deaundrae Ballard scored a career-best 19 points to lead the Gators (3-2), whose offense hadn't started the season like White expected and managed 60 points in the first-round loss to Oklahoma.
White said Wednesday that confidence was an issue. But the Gators responded behind a juggled starting lineup, giving freshman Noah Locke (11 points) his first career start in place of senior Jalen Hudson (7 scoreless minutes).
Florida shot 52 percent and allowed 13 first-half points, its fewest for a half under the fourth-year coach.
''We were a different team tonight,'' White said. ''It feels good, I've got to be honest with you.''
Cormac Ryan scored 12 points for Stanford (2-3), which made 5 of 23 shots with 13 turnovers in an opening half that essentially decided this one.
Florida faces Butler in Friday's fifth-place game, while Stanford faces Middle Tennessee for seventh.
BUTLER 84, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 53
McDermott scored 21 points and tied Trice's record of seven 3-pointers, part of Butler's Atlantis-record 16 3s against Middle Tennessee.
The Bulldogs (4-1) went 16 of 35 from behind the arc, surpassing the previous mark of 15 set by Massachusetts in 2011.
Paul Jorgensen also scored 21 points for Butler, which shot 52 percent.
James Hawthorne scored 11 points for the Blue Raiders (3-3), who shot 32 percent and committed 20 turnovers.
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1st Half
DAYT
Flyers
22
UVA
Cavaliers
27
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Virginia
19:43
Mamadi Diakite missed layup
19:41
Defensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
19:12
Offensive foul on Ryan Mikesell
19:12
Turnover on Ryan Mikesell
18:48
Ty Jerome missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:46
Offensive rebound by Mamadi Diakite
18:39
Braxton Key missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:37
Defensive rebound by Jordan Davis
18:27
Bad pass turnover on Josh Cunningham, stolen by Ty Jerome
18:17
Mamadi Diakite missed layup
18:15
Defensive rebound by Jalen Crutcher
18:04
Personal foul on Ty Jerome
17:46
Jalen Crutcher missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:44
Offensive rebound by Trey Landers
17:38
+2
Trey Landers made dunk
2-0
17:23
Kyle Guy missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:21
Defensive rebound by Jordan Davis
17:12
Jordan Davis missed layup
17:10
Offensive rebound by Josh Cunningham
17:12
Personal foul on Mamadi Diakite
16:55
+2
Trey Landers made layup
4-0
16:39
Personal foul on Jalen Crutcher
16:38
De'Andre Hunter missed layup
16:36
Defensive rebound by Josh Cunningham
16:15
Bad pass turnover on Ryan Mikesell
16:01
Braxton Key missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:59
Defensive rebound by Josh Cunningham
15:32
+3
Jalen Crutcher made 3-pt. jump shot
7-0
15:04
+3
Kyle Guy made 3-pt. jump shot
7-3
14:42
Jordan Davis missed layup
14:40
Offensive rebound by Obi Toppin
14:36
+2
Obi Toppin made dunk
9-3
14:20
+2
Kihei Clark made layup
9-5
14:02
Lost ball turnover on Josh Cunningham, stolen by Braxton Key
13:49
Personal foul on Obi Toppin
13:31
+3
Kihei Clark made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kyle Guy
9-8
13:14
+2
Jordan Davis made layup, assist by Trey Landers
11-8
13:02
Offensive foul on Jack Salt
13:02
Turnover on Jack Salt
12:33
+2
Dwayne Cohill made jump shot
13-8
12:07
Kyle Guy missed jump shot
12:05
Offensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
12:01
+2
De'Andre Hunter made layup
13-10
11:52
Lost ball turnover on Trey Landers, stolen by De'Andre Hunter
11:53
Shooting foul on Trey Landers
11:53
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 1st of 2 free throws
13-11
11:53
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 2nd of 2 free throws
13-12
11:14
Trey Landers missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:12
Defensive rebound by Jack Salt
11:02
Personal foul on Dwayne Cohill
10:58
De'Andre Hunter missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:56
Defensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
10:24
Shot clock violation turnover on Dayton
10:09
Ty Jerome missed jump shot
10:07
Defensive rebound by Dwayne Cohill
9:55
Personal foul on Ty Jerome
9:48
Jalen Crutcher missed layup
9:46
Defensive rebound by Kihei Clark
9:43
Personal foul on Jhery Matos
9:33
Kihei Clark missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:31
Defensive rebound by Dwayne Cohill
9:24
Jumpball received by Dayton
9:00
Dwayne Cohill missed layup
9:00
Offensive rebound by Dwayne Cohill
9:00
+2
Josh Cunningham made layup
15-12
9:00
Shooting foul on Kihei Clark
9:00
Josh Cunningham missed free throw
9:00
Defensive rebound by Virginia
8:35
Kihei Clark missed layup
8:33
Offensive rebound by Kihei Clark
8:28
Kihei Clark missed layup
8:26
Defensive rebound by Trey Landers
8:21
Offensive foul on Jordan Davis
8:21
Turnover on Jordan Davis
7:58
+2
Braxton Key made layup
15-14
7:37
Personal foul on Jack Salt
7:31
+2
Josh Cunningham made layup, assist by Jalen Crutcher
17-14
7:03
+2
De'Andre Hunter made hook shot, assist by Kihei Clark
17-16
6:27
Shot clock violation turnover on Dayton
6:02
Kyle Guy missed layup
6:00
Offensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
5:57
+2
De'Andre Hunter made dunk
17-18
5:47
Jordan Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:45
Defensive rebound by Braxton Key
5:15
Lost ball turnover on Kihei Clark, stolen by Jalen Crutcher
5:11
Personal foul on Braxton Key
5:11
Jalen Crutcher missed free throw
5:11
Defensive rebound by Kihei Clark
4:42
Shooting foul on Ryan Mikesell
5:11
+1
Kyle Guy made 1st of 2 free throws
17-19
4:42
+1
Kyle Guy made 2nd of 2 free throws
17-20
4:20
Bad pass turnover on Trey Landers, stolen by Braxton Key
3:57
Lost ball turnover on De'Andre Hunter, stolen by Trey Landers
3:57
Personal foul on De'Andre Hunter
3:57
+1
Trey Landers made 1st of 2 free throws
18-20
3:57
Trey Landers missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:57
Defensive rebound by Jay Huff
3:26
Kyle Guy missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:24
Defensive rebound by Jalen Crutcher
3:01
Jumpball received by Virginia
3:01
Lost ball turnover on Josh Cunningham, stolen by Braxton Key
2:39
3-second violation turnover on Jay Huff
2:23
+2
Josh Cunningham made layup, assist by Jalen Crutcher
20-20
2:02
Braxton Key missed layup, blocked by Obi Toppin
2:00
Offensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
1:53
+2
De'Andre Hunter made dunk
20-22
1:52
Offensive foul on Jalen Crutcher
1:52
Turnover on Jalen Crutcher
1:44
Kihei Clark missed layup, blocked by Trey Landers
1:42
Offensive rebound by Virginia
1:29
+3
Kihei Clark made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Braxton Key
20-25
1:11
Personal foul on Braxton Key
1:11
Josh Cunningham missed free throw
1:11
Defensive rebound by Braxton Key
55.0
+2
Kyle Guy made jump shot, assist by Braxton Key
20-27
25.0
Dwayne Cohill missed jump shot
23.0
Offensive rebound by Josh Cunningham
20.0
Personal foul on Mamadi Diakite
20.0
+1
Josh Cunningham made 1st of 2 free throws
21-27
20.0
+1
Josh Cunningham made 2nd of 2 free throws
22-27
2.0
Bad pass turnover on Kihei Clark
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
DAYT
Flyers
37
UVA
Cavaliers
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:41
Trey Landers missed jump shot
19:39
Offensive rebound by Trey Landers
19:35
+2
Trey Landers made layup
24-27
19:10
+2
De'Andre Hunter made hook shot
24-29
18:43
Jordan Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:41
Offensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
18:23
+2
Josh Cunningham made hook shot
26-29
18:00
Ty Jerome missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:58
Defensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
17:37
Out of bounds turnover on Jordan Davis
17:23
Ty Jerome missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:21
Offensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
17:13
+3
Ty Jerome made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by De'Andre Hunter
26-32
16:55
Trey Landers missed layup
16:53
Defensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
16:43
Shooting foul on Josh Cunningham
16:43
+1
Ty Jerome made 1st of 2 free throws
26-33
16:43
+1
Ty Jerome made 2nd of 2 free throws
26-34
16:29
+2
Ryan Mikesell made layup, assist by Jalen Crutcher
28-34
16:10
Kyle Guy missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:08
Defensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
15:58
+2
Jalen Crutcher made layup
30-34
15:38
+2
De'Andre Hunter made jump shot, assist by Ty Jerome
30-36
15:23
Jalen Crutcher missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:21
Defensive rebound by Jack Salt
15:08
Shooting foul on Jalen Crutcher
15:09
+1
Ty Jerome made 1st of 2 free throws
30-37
15:09
Ty Jerome missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:09
Defensive rebound by Obi Toppin
14:46
Obi Toppin missed layup
14:44
Defensive rebound by Braxton Key
14:32
Jack Salt missed layup
14:30
Offensive rebound by Jack Salt
14:27
+2
Jack Salt made dunk
30-39
14:19
Offensive foul on Josh Cunningham
14:19
Turnover on Josh Cunningham
14:01
Lost ball turnover on Kyle Guy, stolen by Jhery Matos
13:56
+2
Jhery Matos made layup
32-39
13:39
Personal foul on Jhery Matos
13:24
Ty Jerome missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:22
Offensive rebound by Braxton Key
13:08
Kyle Guy missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:06
Offensive rebound by De'Andre Hunter
13:02
+2
De'Andre Hunter made dunk
32-41
12:34
+3
Jalen Crutcher made 3-pt. jump shot
35-41
12:10
Bad pass turnover on Kihei Clark, stolen by Trey Landers
11:57
+2
Obi Toppin made dunk, assist by Trey Landers
37-41
11:35
+3
Ty Jerome made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kihei Clark
37-44
11:20
+2
Josh Cunningham made layup, assist by Jalen Crutcher
39-44
11:20
Shooting foul on Mamadi Diakite
11:20
+1
Josh Cunningham made free throw
40-44
10:59
Ty Jerome missed layup
10:57
Offensive rebound by Virginia
10:56
+2
Kyle Guy made layup
40-46
10:38
Josh Cunningham missed layup
10:36
Offensive rebound by Trey Landers
10:28
Trey Landers missed layup
10:28
Offensive rebound by Trey Landers
10:28
+2
Trey Landers made dunk
42-46
10:11
+3
Kyle Guy made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ty Jerome
42-49
9:44
Josh Cunningham missed layup
9:42
Defensive rebound by Kihei Clark
9:33
Shooting foul on Jhery Matos
9:33
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 1st of 2 free throws
42-50
9:33
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 2nd of 2 free throws
42-51
9:08
+3
Obi Toppin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Davis
45-51
8:43
Lost ball turnover on De'Andre Hunter, stolen by Trey Landers
8:43
Personal foul on De'Andre Hunter
8:37
Personal foul on Jack Salt
8:22
Trey Landers missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:20
Defensive rebound by Jack Salt
7:52
Personal foul on Trey Landers
7:35
Shooting foul on Jhery Matos
7:35
+1
Ty Jerome made 1st of 2 free throws
45-52
7:35
Ty Jerome missed 2nd of 2 free throws
7:35
Defensive rebound by Obi Toppin
7:13
+3
Jalen Crutcher made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Obi Toppin
48-52
6:38
De'Andre Hunter missed layup
6:36
Defensive rebound by Ryan Mikesell
6:12
Ryan Mikesell missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:10
Defensive rebound by Kyle Guy
5:51
+2
Ty Jerome made layup
48-54
5:25
+2
Obi Toppin made jump shot, assist by Jalen Crutcher
50-54
5:11
Personal foul on Jordan Davis
5:11
+1
Ty Jerome made 1st of 2 free throws
50-55
5:11
+1
Ty Jerome made 2nd of 2 free throws
50-56
4:53
Personal foul on Jack Salt
4:42
+2
Obi Toppin made layup, assist by Jalen Crutcher
52-56
4:22
Shooting foul on Jordan Davis
4:22
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 1st of 2 free throws
52-57
4:22
+1
De'Andre Hunter made 2nd of 2 free throws
52-58
4:00
Jalen Crutcher missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:58
Defensive rebound by Braxton Key
3:43
Ty Jerome missed layup
3:41
Offensive rebound by Kyle Guy
3:31
+2
Kyle Guy made dunk
52-60
3:12
+2
Josh Cunningham made layup, assist by Trey Landers
54-60
2:49
Braxton Key missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:47
Offensive rebound by Kyle Guy
2:20
Bad pass turnover on Ty Jerome, stolen by Josh Cunningham
2:10
Lost ball turnover on Josh Cunningham, stolen by Braxton Key
1:49
Braxton Key missed layup
1:47
Defensive rebound by Josh Cunningham
1:28
+2
Obi Toppin made dunk
56-60
55.0
+3
De'Andre Hunter made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ty Jerome
56-63
45.0
Jalen Crutcher missed layup
43.0
Defensive rebound by Braxton Key
38.0
Personal foul on Trey Landers
38.0
+1
Ty Jerome made 1st of 2 free throws
56-64
38.0
Ty Jerome missed 2nd of 2 free throws
38.0
Defensive rebound by Obi Toppin
31.0
Trey Landers missed 3-pt. jump shot
29.0
Defensive rebound by Kihei Clark
26.0
Personal foul on Obi Toppin
26.0
Kihei Clark missed 1st of 2 free throws
26.0
+1
Kihei Clark made 2nd of 2 free throws
56-65
20.0
+3
Jordan Davis made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jalen Crutcher