For some reason, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway played UVA Basketball for the first 20 minutes on Wednesday night – measured, precise, largely halfcourt basketball.

Go figure, it didn’t work – the Cavaliers led 30-21 at the break, and seemed poised for the upset of the 21st-ranked Tigers.

Hardaway unleashed the hounds of hell on the ‘Hoos in the second half, pressing full court after makes and misses, utilizing halfcourt traps to get Virginia out of its offensive sets.

The stratagem turned the nine-point halftime deficit into as much as a nine-point second-half lead before UVA was able to right the ship.

Ron Sanchez’s steering corrections came too late in what turned into a 64-62 Virginia loss.