March 24, 2019

Hoos Move on to the Sweet 16 – to the Delight of the Twitterverse

Whitelaw Reid | Sports

There was a tone-setting screen by Jack Salt, a driving dunk by Jay Huff, a behind-the-back pass by Kyle Guy – plus several Mamadi Diakite highlights that made commentator Jim Nantz’s voice get nearly as high-pitched as on his famous calls at The Masters. 

And, of course, there was the usual stifling defense throughout.

Yes, Wahoo Twitterverse loved nearly every second of the University of Virginia men’s basketball team’s 63-51 win over Oklahoma on Sunday night that moved No. 1 seeded UVA into the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

A game after a tougher-than-expected test from Gardner-Webb University, Cavalier fans and Coach Tony Bennett never had to sweat.

“Virginia Basketball is alive and well in the NCAA Tournament,” Nantz proclaimed at the game’s conclusion.

Here’s a sampling of the Twitter reactions during and following the ’Hoos big win.

Diakite’s aerial displays drew oohs and aahs.

The aforementioned dunk by Huff was also well-received.

How cool is this? Former UVA teammates Isaiah Wilkins and Devon Hall cheered the ’Hoos on together! Charge your battery, Isaiah.

Former UVA football and NFL star Thomas Jones loved what he saw.

Alumna Caroline Darney, a reporter for the popular UVA fan site Streaking the Lawn, was quite excited.

Looks like UVA radio play-by-play announcer Dave Koehn has a nice keepsake.

Wedding bells?

CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein has always been a big fan of UVA’s style of play.

UVA President Jim Ryan may have summed up the win best.