Photos: Relive UVA’s Championship and All the Joy That Followed

University News

Photos: The Thrill of Victory

April 9, 2019 •By McGregor McCance, cmm9vg@virginia.edu

UVA basketball player shooting during a game

University News

Photos: The Thrill of Victory

Ready to re-experience all the drama, joy and jubilation from Monday’s national championship? Find some of the best moments here of the historic win and subsequent celebration for the ages.

From tipoff to the national title. From Minneapolis to John Paul Jones Arena. From every corner of Grounds to the Corner. The University of Virginia community united and celebrated the making of history on Monday as the UVA men’s basketball team soared to its first national championship.

The final seconds of the Cavaliers’ 85-77 win against Texas Tech University brought confetti and tears to players and fans alike at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, mirrored by an eruption of joy for nearly 8,000 fans watching the game broadcast at John Paul Jones Arena.

Outside in Charlottesville, students and community members poured into public spaces to celebrate – a throng of orange and blue filling the Corner while others streamed onto the Lawn and filled the Rotunda steps.

Here are some of our favorite images from a day of countless favorite moments, as photographed by Sanjay Suchak, Matt Riley, Eze Amos and Gina Proulx.

UVA basektball players running down the final four carpet onto the court

The team made its way to the court in U.S. Bank Stadium, which held a crowd of more than 72,000 Monday night. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA basketball players standing together

(Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA basketball player preparing to pass the ball during the game

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA basketball game being displayed on the train bridge near the hospital

Back in Charlottesville, the game was projected on the 14th Street railroad bridge on the UVA Corner. (Photo by Eze Amos)

John Paul Joness Arena filled with UVA fans waiting for the team to come in

Thousands turned out at John Paul Jones Arena on Grounds to watch the game and cheer on the Hoos. (Photo by Gina Proulx)

UVA basketball player dribbling the ball and pointing

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

President Jim Ryan standing in the crowd with his hands on his heads while watching the basketball championship game

President Jim Ryan, center, sweats out a critical point with UVA fans who packed U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Charlottesville establishments were filled with cheering fans on Monday night. (Photo by Eze Amos)

UVA player trying to make a shot while being blocked

De'Andre Hunter made several pivotal plays to help keep the Hoos alive in the waning minutes of regulation. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

Tony Bennett standing on the court pointing his finger

Head coach Tony Bennett tried to keep his players on an even keel during the tournament run. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

UVA fan watching the jumbo tron screen with hands on her face

Back at John Paul Jones Arena, the mood changed with the game. (Photo by Gina Proulx)

UVA basketball player blocking opponents shot

(Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

(Photo by Gina Proulx)

UVA players huddle up on the basketball court

(Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

UVA basketball player holding onto the basketball rim after a shot

At the end of overtime, a Braxton Key dunk helped seal the victory for the Hoos, bringing UVA its first national championship in men's basketball in school history. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)