Not many would have expected Virginia to need a bounce-back game this early in the season, and likely no more would consider the Charleston Classic a threat for another defeat.
The sixth-ranked Cavaliers will try to string together wins while avoiding another stunner Friday night when they meet Long Beach State in a semifinal game at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina.
A shocking 73-68 loss at George Washington on Monday left questions about a defense Virginia (2-1) considers its backbone.
The proper way to rebound was routing a young Bradley team 82-57 in the opening round of the Charleston Classic on Thursday, using stiff defense and sharp shooting to regain some confidence.