The 2006-2007 Virginia men's basketball season is just past the halfway point and one distinct observation can be made about the season thus far: The Cavaliers are supremely affected by home court advantage. Thus far, Virginia has compiled a 10-6 record (2-2 in the ACC). But nine of the team's 10 victories have come in the John Paul Jones Arena.
Basketball is traditionally seen as a sport in which home games are much more valuable. To put it simply, the home crowd atmosphere has a much greater effect on a basketball team's play than most other sports. So Virginia's success at home this season seems perfectly logical. As is often the case, however, the real story is a bit more complex.
Virginia has posted many impressive home victories over quality opponents such as Gonzaga, N.C. State, Maryland and Arizona. Additionally, Virginia's only home loss came during Winter Break against a perennial contender -- Stanford. The Cavaliers lost that game 76-75 on a last-second shot.
"I just think we're more aggressive at home," senior guard J.R. Reynolds said. "We are more relaxed and more comfortable at home."
Furthermore, Virginia has been lighting up the JPJ this season. The Cavaliers are averaging a staggering 89.8 points per game at home. To put that in context, 89.8 points per game as an overall average for home and away games would rank Virginia as the top team in the ACC in scoring, ahead of No. 1-ranked North Carolina.
But the Cavaliers are averaging only 68 points per game on the road, making Virginia's overall scoring average 81.1 points per game. That total is good enough for fourth in the ACC.
The disparity in offensive production was particularly evident in Virginia's holiday trip to Puerto Rico. The trip did not go as well as expected. Virginia lost two games by double digits to somewhat unheralded opponents. Virginia was defeated by Appalachian State and Utah and only pulled out a close victory over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.
Tuesday's victory over Maryland further widened the gap between this season's home and away games. Coming into the game Maryland was ranked as one the best defenses in the ACC. The Terrapins rank first in defensive field goal percentage (36.3) and blocked shots (7.9 per game).
But Virginia was able to thwart Maryland's stout defense. The Cavaliers scored 103 points against Maryland -- the third time this season the Cavaliers have broken the 100-point barrier. Interestingly enough, all three 100-point games have occurred at JPJ. After a tough three-game road stretch, Virginia was glad to get back to Charlottesville to face the Terps.
"We're very pleased and happy after losing three games in a row," Virginia coach Dave Leitao said. "We were helped a little bit by the home crowd -- just to get energy back."
The most interesting fact is that Virginia's defense has remained virtually the same at home and on the road. Virginia surrenders an average of 73.8 points per game at home and 74 points per game on the road. Virginia is averaging 66.5 points per game on the road, which is 23 points below the team's home scoring average. After Tuesday's game against Maryland Leitao reflected on the team's season thus far.
"We've got to be able to enjoy this and know that we're capable," Leitao said. "When we're aggressive on both ends, there are a lot of things that we can do. But we've got to figure out the other side of it. It remains a work in progress."
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