Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1994 TAG: 9403020072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia and Virginia Tech haven't met this late in a basketball season in 27 years, and it would be March madness to suggest that the shooting and scoring in this game will be as torrid as the emotion on the floor or in the stands among an expected crowd of about 9,000.
The Express' frozen pond will be below the playing floor, but that shouldn't ice what for a change is a meaningful non-conference game for more reasons than a rivalry. There are tournament hopes and fears involved, not that the Hokies and Cavaliers have had any problems giving each other the cold shoulder in recent years.
These two teams have a difficult enough time scoring. They also play the kind of defense the Menendez brothers could appreciate. In their past two meetings, Tech and UVa have combined for 35 percent field-goal shooting.
Those games have included team halves of 15, 18, 18, 22 and 24 points. In 90 minutes (two overtimes were played at the civic center in 1992), they have combined for 78 field goals. At the offensive end of the floor this season, each team is most notable for its improved rebounding.
UVa has been trying to come in from the cold for a month. After a 12-5 start, the Cavaliers (14-10) have skidded onto the NCAA Tournament fence. In the past seven games, UVa's best shooting night was a .343 percentage - and the Cavaliers needed overtime at home to beat Georgia Tech in that one.
Virginia has shot a .314 percentage in those less-than-magnificent seven, and in 16 of its past 24 games UVa has hit less than 41 percent. The Cavaliers are shooting a frigid .378 for the season, so maybe coach Jeff Jones should try spicing their pregame meal with rock salt.
The Hokies (16-8) are shooting .440, the best since their last NCAA team in 1985-86. However, they've also been 40 percent or below seven times and, like the Cavaliers, they've prospered primarily on defense. In three consecutive victories to break a six-game skid, Tech has held foes to a .335 percentage.
Tech, already with a surprisingly successful season, likely needs one victory to clinch an NIT berth. With a Ratings Percentage Index ranking of No. 73 this week and a schedule ranked 117th in difficulty, the Hokies would seem to need another victory at UNC Charlotte on Saturday and at least one victory in the Metro Conference tournament to legitimize their NCAA hopes.
Tech will be seeking to make UVa its fifth consecutive opponent to score fewer than 60 points. The last time the Hokies had such a defensive five-game streak was 1947-48. However, coach Bill Foster's team could do that and still not win, because Virginia is one of the nation's best defensive teams.
UVa figures to need a victory tonight and more to sustain its NCAA hopes. If the Cavaliers lose, they'd have to win at Maryland on Saturday and then reach at least the ACC Tournament final to make the 64-team NCAA field. And the NCAA selection committee puts as much weight on performance in the past 10 games as it does on strength of schedule.
Virginia will finish with at least a .500 record in the ACC. History shows it did that in 1991, too, but a 15-12 regular season and opening-round loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament put the Cavaliers in the NIT - which they won.
Virginia is not going to beat Tech with its offense. The Cavaliers don't get enough good shots - and don't seem to know how to get them.
The interior passing numbers may offer a clue. While UVa's prominent inside pair of Junior Burrough and Yuri Barnes have combined for 32 assists, Tech's Ace Custis and Shawn Smith have 102. The Hokies have beaten a lot of people through the back door this season.
UVa also has shown a reluctance to shoot the 3-pointer or even the 15-footer from the wings to try to open passing lanes. Because UVa doesn't have the depth to pressure full-court, there are no transition hoops.
Tech's attack has more versatility and has improved by taking the ball to the basket with more aggressiveness. UVa has played the tougher schedule and has been more consistent defensively. Neither team has ever played particularly well, or consistently, on the unfamiliar boards at the civic center.
A game that should give a lot of people the chills will be televised by Home Team Sports, but it really belongs on Court TV. Whoever brings the best defense will win.
by CNB