Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990 TAG: 9003071429
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: doug doughty sportswriter
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I don't look at it as a competition between Virginia and Maryland," Holland said. "It's almost inconceivable to me that we would not be in the field, regardless of what happens. I can't see how they could leave either team out."
Virginia (6-8 in the ACC, 17-10 overall) finished in a tie for fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with Maryland and North Carolina State, which is ineligible for postseason play while serving NCAA probation.
The Terrapins (6-8, 18-12) defeated UVa twice during the regular season, including an 89-74 decision Saturday in College Park, Md., but had offered to withdraw from consideration from the NCAA Tournament because of rules violations.
The NCAA declined to accept Maryland's proposed sanctions and instead hit the Terps with a two-year ban from postseason play starting in 1991.
"People ask, `Will the NCAA Selection Committee take six teams from one conference?' " Holland said. "Their previous record indicates they will. They're going to take the best teams, the teams that have played the toughest schedules and proved themselves against that caliber of competition.
"Right now, we have six wins against teams that will be in the field of 64. I doubt there are 10 or 12 other teams in that category."
The Cavaliers have a win over Richmond, an automatic qualifier by virtue of its Colonial Athletic Association championship; two wins over Georgia Tech (21-6); and one win each over Duke (23-7), North Carolina (19-11) and Houston (23-6).
"What would be interesting would be if N.C. State were eligible," Holland said. "You know there would be a tremendous hue and cry if they were to take seven teams out of an eight-team league. Sooner or later, political pressure might have some effect, but to date it has not.
"I certainly have to think we're a team that will be in the tournament unless politics all of a sudden comes into the play. I don't think they've allowed you to politic in the past. I think teams have tried, but they haven't gotten anywhere."
Holland noted that Virginia received a bid in 1984 with a 6-8 record in the ACC and a 17-11 overall mark, with a loss in the first round of the tournament.
"That team was not seeded anywhere near the bottom of the draw, " Holland said, "and this team has played better late in the season and has had more quality wins."
by CNB