Trailing No. 13 Virginia 64-59 with 25 seconds remaining, junior guard Avry Holmes launched a three that threatened to make the game a one-possession affair. Holmes’ attempted caromed off the rim and into the steady hands of sophomore guard Devon Hall. The crucial board was but one of many big plays by Hall, who is emerging as the Cavaliers’ third starting guard, in Virginia’s 69-62 victory Monday night.
Making his second straight start, Hall shone against Clemson. The Cape Henry Collegiate alum set a new conference high with 11 points, needing only five shots to do so. Hall filled the stat sheet with four rebounds and four dimes as well.
“Devon gave us quality minutes,” coach Tony Bennett said.
Monday’s performance comes while the Cavaliers’ starting lineup and rotation remains in a state of flux, but Hall is working to distinguish himself from his peers — sophomore guards Marial Shayok and Darius Thompson.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Hall is stepping up when it counts. Following Virginia’s 66-58 victory over then-No. 8 Miami, Bennett made it known that he was still searching for order among a tumultuous rotation.
“We’re searching,” Bennett said. “We’re certainly searching for the right rotations, and, again, no one’s clear cut. … We’ll keep working and trying to find the right numbers.”
Five nights after those remarks, Bennett inserted Hall into the starting lineup for the first time this season, and only the second time in his career. Hall responded with six points, two assists and one board, and inspired confidence in his coach.
“He’s been in the system for three years, and he brings some good fight to start the games,” Bennett said. “I think he got beat outside on one of the crucial possessions, but he did some good things for us. …I liked what I saw with Devon.”
Having redshirted his first season with the Cavaliers (14-4, 3-3 ACC), Hall brings two-plus years of familiarity with the Virginia system to the court.
He showcased both experience and maturity against the Tigers (12-7, 5-2 ACC), making intelligent decisions, the right plays, on the court.
“Devon had a great summer, offensively and defensively, just playing with a lot of confidence,” senior guard Malcolm Brogdon said. “I think he’s finally stepped into that role and really playing at his potential. I think it’s great…I think we need it.”
Intangibles and confidence aside, the most obvious improvement in Hall’s game has been his jump shot. Against Clemson, the sweet, left-handed stroke contributed to two made three-pointers, one pull-up jumper and three made free throws. On the season, Hall is now shooting 39.3 percent from long range, behind only junior guard London Perrantes’ 55.6 percent and senior forward Anthony Gill’s perfect 1-for-1 mark.
“My jump shot [is the biggest development in my game],” Hall said.
Virginia’s next opponent, Syracuse, and their trademark 2-3 zone, present Hall an excellent chance to continue his shooting momentum — one of his threes having come on a swing pass against a Clemson zone defense.
And with another steady performance, Hall may pull away for good in the three-man contest between himself, Thompson and Shayok, with Shayok being the ultimate loser, having compiled back-to-back DNP-CDs.
“I know each and every guy is ready to play,” Hall said.
For Virginia, a team struggling in ways they are unaccustomed to, the confident play may serve as the boost needed for an offense that has look lethargic and lost at times.
“My confidence is improving,” Hall said. “These guys are helping me a lot. They trust me, so I got trust in them.”
Matt Wurzburger is a senior associate editor for the Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at m.wurzburger@cavalierdaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @wurzburgerm.
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