UVa's Darion Atkins: 'I felt like I wanted it more than a few other guys'

Virginia senior forward Darion Atkins was critical of the Cavaliers' effort in their NCAA tournament loss to Michigan State.

Virginia senior forward Darion Atkins was critical of the Cavaliers' effort in their NCAA tournament loss to Michigan State. 

"I felt like I wanted it more than a few other guys on the team," Atkins told reporters after game. "I felt like I tried to rally everyone together and bring everyone together in the second half, and I felt like we played a lot better in the second half than the first half."

• GEARY: Michigan State on to Sweet 16 after knocking out Virginia

The Spartans started the game on a 15-4 run and never relinquished the lead.

Atkins had 10 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in the game. He and Anthony Gill were the only two players to score in double figures. 

The Cavaliers won the ACC regular season championship but lost three of their last five games. 

Virginia advanced to the Sweet 16 in last year's tournament but was eliminated by the Spartans. 

- Dan Gartland