Right before football season began, I compiled my top-10 list of the best Virginia football games I had attended in person. Now, with men's basketball right around the corner, here's my list for that sport. Before I start, I'd like to give a shout out to the Virginia women's basketball game against Maryland last year, which I went to as well. The Cavaliers won 89-81 in a great contest and that game would earn a spot in a more general top-10 list. Coach Debbie Ryan gave all she had on the same day she attended friend and former N.C. state basketball coach Kay Yow's funeral. Ryan's players came through for her when they beat the No. 8 Terrapins behind 30 points from Lyndra Littles, 28 points from Monica Wright and a double-double from Aisha Mohammed.
I don't have the same history with Virginia men's basketball that I do with football, so the games are all home games - mostly from my first three years as a student, though I did attend a few before that time. One of the wildest games I remember from a while ago was a 115-111 triple overtime home-loss to Georgetown on Mar. 15, 2000 in the first round of the NIT. Aside from the triple overtime aspect, my dad and I always talk about this annoying Hoya fan who sat near us and would say "That's cash" before almost every Georgetown shot. A lot of them went in, too. I'm pretty sure I hated him during the game, but it's funny to think about him now. Anyway, on to the list.
No. 10: Jan. 6, 2001; Virginia 88 N.C. St. 81
One of a few games I attended during the 2000-01 season, I chose this one not only for its standalone greatness, but also because this was a superb overall year for Virginia, which also defeated Duke 91-89 at home and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Against N.C. State, Roger Mason, Jr. led the Cavaliers with 26 points, including 10 in a row in the second half, culminating in a three-pointer with 3:34 left that tied the game at 73. Virginia was down five at halftime and 11 in the second half but roared back and won with 53 second
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