THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250565
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Virginia may be the deepest team in the ACC this season, but coach Jeff Jones is being careful not to push his players too hard.
Jones, who uses a nine-man rotation, put the Cavaliers through light workouts in preparation for tonight's ACC game in Charlottesville against Wake Forest.
``You have to be smart in terms of how you approach the next game,'' Jones said. ``You can overprepare, overtrain and wear down your players.''
The Wake Forest game marks the end of a grueling, seven-game league run in which the Cavaliers will have faced five consecutive ranked opponents.
With U.Va. on top of the ACC standings with a 5-1 record, including two double-overtime victories, Jones has few complaints about his team. But he said the Cavaliers need to be more consistent and must learn to deal with prosperity.
``We have been living on the edge winning close games,'' Jones said. ``You can't afford to have lulls or a team like Wake Forest will burn you very quickly.''
He also urged his players to put Sunday's emotional double-overtime victory over Georgia Tech behind them.
``Last year after another hard win against Georgia Tech, we were flat as a pancake when Wake Forest came in for the next game,'' Jones said.
Wake Forest, a 63-45 winner last year, will be seeking its third consecutive victory in University Hall.
DUKE SHUFFLE: Sophomore guard Jeff Capel is being given an expanded role as Duke tries to escape the league basement.
The Blue Devils, 0-6 in the ACC for the first time ever, moved Capel to point guard and benched freshman Steve Wojciechowski for Tuesday night's non-conference game at Notre Dame. Wojciechowski had started the last 15 games while the 6-foot-5 Capel played No. 2-guard. Freshman Ricky Price moved into the starting lineup to replace Wojciechowski.
``Steve will play a lot, but we want to take a look at a bigger lineup on the perimeter,'' assistant coach Mike Bray said.
Capel, who will handle the ball more, has been the most effective player lately for the Blue Devils.
Duke's next ACC game is Saturday at Maryland.
WOLFPACK UPDATE: North Carolina State, which has become accustomed to adversity in recent seasons, will be without senior forward Ricky Daniels for four to six weeks.
Daniels required surgery after suffering a fracture dislocation of his right thumb against Maryland on Sunday.
Although only 6-foot-6, Daniels was State's leading rebounder with a 7.7 average and a strong post defender.
The Wolfpack is at Georgia Tech tonight.
FSU REVERSAL: Tim Wooden, a 6-11 junior, is getting credit for Florida State's current spurt of success.
The Seminoles, after losing their first three ACC games, have evened their record at 3-3 since inserting Wooden in the starting lineup.
``He is not a great scorer, but he is an outstanding passer and defensively allows us to put more pressure on the ball,'' coach Pat Kennedy said.
Florida State takes its three-game winning streak to Chapel Hill tonight. North Carolina has won the last six games in the series, but three were decided by five or fewer points.
MILESTONES: Maryland coach Gary Williams recorded the 300th victory of his 17-year coaching career Sunday against North Carolina State. Williams is 93-72 in six seasons at Maryland.
Wake Forest's Dave Odom celebrated his 100th ACC victory against Clemson last Saturday.
THE LAST TIME: Maryland's 14-3 start is its best since 1983-84, when the Terps won their only ACC championship under Lefty Driesell.
Maryland can push its league record to 5-1 at Clemson tonight.
But the last time the Terps began conference play at 5-1, they didn't win a title. That was last year, when they finished 8-8 and tied for third place. by CNB