Kihei Clark
Virginia forward Mamadi Diakite (25) shoots next to Florida State forward RaiQuan Gray (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tallahassee, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
Vassell, Polite help No. 9 Florida State edge Virginia 54-50

By Bob Ferrante Jan. 15, 2020 09:21 PM EST

Virginia guard Braxton Key (2) steals the ball from Syracuse forward Marek Dolezaj (21) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. Syracuse defeated Virginia 63-55 in overtime. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Boeheim lifts Syracuse past No. 18 Virginia, 63-55 in OT

By Hank Kurz Jr. Jan. 11, 2020 06:30 PM EST

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett watches his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston College upsets No. 18 Virginia, 60-53

By Jimmy Golen Jan. 07, 2020 09:31 PM EST

Virginia Tech guard Wabissa Bede (3) steals the ball from Virginia guard Kody Stattmann (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Clark, Key spark No. 19 Virginia past Hokies, 65-39

By Hank Kurz Jr. Jan. 04, 2020 04:01 PM EST

Navy guard Greg Summers (20) passes the ball next to Virginia forward Mamadi Diakite (25) and guard Tomas Woldetensae (53) during an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
Clark helps No. 16 Virginia hold off Navy 65-56

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 29, 2019 06:01 PM EST

Bolden leads South Carolina past No. 9 Virginia, 70-59

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 22, 2019 05:16 PM EST
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Jair Bolden made an early 3-pointer for South Carolina and drew a charge a short time later and paused, staring a Virginia player...

Virginia forward Jay Huff (30) and North Carolina guard Cole Anthony, right, collide under the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Richmond, Va., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Diakite, defense lead No. 5 Virginia past No. 7 UNC 56-47

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 08, 2019 06:19 PM EST

Virginia's Braxton Key (2) makes a basket as Massachusetts' Tre Mitchell (33) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
No. 7 Virginia beats UMass 58-46 in Tip-Off tournament

By Pat Eaton-Robb Nov. 23, 2019 02:10 PM EST

Virginia forward Jay Huff (30) looes the ball as Vermont forward Ryan Davis (35) and guard Stef Smith (0) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Diakite, No. 7 Virginia hold off Vermont, 61-55

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 19, 2019 09:03 PM EST

Virginia guard Tomas Woldetensae (53) celebrates a 3-point basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Columbia in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
Huff, Diakite lead No. 9 Virginia past Columbia 60-42

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 16, 2019 02:06 PM EST

Virginia players on the bench react to a play during an NCAA college basketball game against James Madison in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
Diakite has 19 points and 13 rebounds for No. 11 Virginia

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 10, 2019 07:59 PM EST

James Madison guard Deshon Parker (3) shoots next to Virginia guard Casey Morsell (13) during an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
James Madison Dukes at Virginia Cavaliers 11/10/2019

Nov. 10, 2019 07:05 PM EST

In this March 30, 2019, photo, Virginia's Mamadi Diakite (25) shoots during the first half of the men's NCAA Tournament college basketball South Regional final game against Purdue in Louisville, Ky. Diakite was a huge part of the win, but he's still driven by The Loss. The 6-foot-9 redshirt senior says he will never forget, or cease to be driven by, Virginia’s loss to UMBC as the first No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history to lose to a No. 16 seed. The defending national champions are young this season, but Diakite says they have some surprises in store. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 11 Virginia's Diakite ready to assume leadership role

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 05, 2019 10:35 AM EST

FILE- In this April 8, 2019, file photo, Virginia head coach Tony Bennett celebrates with fans after the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Defending champion Virginia looks to fill many holes

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 23, 2019 02:13 PM EDT

Texas Tech's Brandone Francis (1) goes up for a shot against Virginia's Mamadi Diakite during the second half in the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images via AP, Pool)
Diakite becomes fourth Virginia player to pursue NBA dream

Apr. 17, 2019 06:58 PM EDT

Virginia players celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in the overtime in the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Federal probe, Virginia's reign top 2019-20 storylines

By Aaron Beard Apr. 09, 2019 02:00 PM EDT

Virginia forward Mamadi Diakite celebrates with fans after the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. Virginia won 85-77 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Title trophy in hand, Virginia has look of perennial power

By Dave Skretta Apr. 09, 2019 02:19 AM EDT

Virginia players Kihei Clark, from left, De'Andre Hunter, Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome celebrate at the end of the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. Virginia won 85-77 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Guy writes perfect ending in Virginia's title-clinching win

By Aaron Beard Apr. 09, 2019 01:39 AM EDT

Texas Tech's Davide Moretti warms up during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas Tech, Virginia give NCAA final an international accent

By Dave Campbell Apr. 08, 2019 01:56 PM EDT

Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver, left, and head coach Chris Beard questions during a news conference for the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Minneapolis. Texas Tech will play Virginia on Monday for the national championship. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Analysis: Breaking down Virginia, Texas Tech title game

By Dave Skretta And Ralph D. Russo Apr. 08, 2019 02:02 AM EDT