Men's Basketball: Landesberg and first-half fouls

For the second consecutive game, Sylven Landesberg drew two foul first-half fouls. For the second consecutive game, Coach Tony Bennett elected to keep Virginia's guard on the bench. And for the second consecutive game, it proved costly.

When Landesberg drew his second foul with 4 minutes 29 seconds remaining in the half (it was his second foul in 25 seconds), Virginia held a nine-point lead. By the time the half concluded, Virginia Tech held a one-point lead. In close games, those swings of momentum can tell the story as much as anything that receives more attention in the game's final minutes.

"You're always going to take a guy out when he gets a second foul," said Bennett, who earlier this week entertained the thought of reconsidering his policy. "At the time, it didn't cross my mind I got put him back in. With the time left, they made a run on us, but it was transition baskets. That's something that in this league will test you and test you. And if you're not sound in that area, that can hurt you."