Scott boosts Cavs

While Virginia sophomore Mike Scott would rather be in coach Dave Leitao’s starting lineup, he has certainly produced in his last two games as a reserve.

After just missing a double-double in the loss to Florida State on Tuesday, Scott had 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in Sunday’s upset win over No. 12 Clemson.

Scott’s ability to finish around the rim after Virginia had broken Clemson’s full-court press was a big reason why UVa was able to halt an eight-game losing streak.

“He and I have been talking about [paying more attention to detail] and watching more film, and getting him to realize what he needs to do,” Leitao said. “It’s more about activity. He missed a few rebounds in the first half because he was going at it one-handed, and so I told him to two-hand rebound…

“In order for him to be as good as he can be and reach his potential, I think there has to be more understanding on my part and his part on his responsibility as a front-line power forward in this league.”

Scott was more excited about Virginia stopping its slide than his individual accomplishments.

“I think this was our best game,” he said. “It feels real good to beat a real good team like Clemson. It’s a sigh of

relief.”

Baker better

Despite a four-point, one-assist, five-turnover stat line, Leitao said junior guard Calvin Baker has been feeling more confident because he is healthier. The former walk-on has been battling a stress fracture in his foot all season.

“I think Calvin’s been feeling a lot better physically the last couple of games — the start of the second half of the Boston College game where he took more of a challenge in guarding [Tyrese] Rice and guarding [K.C.] Rivers [on Sunday],” Leitao said.

Short but sweet

Leitao called junior Solomon Tat’s three minutes of playing time against Clemson “very important.”

“I think he set a tone physically,” Leitao said. “I think it’s good for our team because it creates a standard by which other people need to live up to.”

Tat has scored just two points in his three games as a starter, but that doesn’t seem to bother Leitao.

“It hasn’t really hurt us — in the short term —having him out there,” said Leitao, when asked about Tat’s lack of offensive-mindedness.

No corn rows

When told that Jamil Tucker had suggested that he was going to get corn rows since his hair was getting so long, Virginia freshman Sylven Landesberg smiled. “You can’t listen to anything Jamil says,” Landesberg joked.

Landesberg had vowed not to get a haircut until Virginia had won another game.