Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 12, 1990 TAG: 9003122847
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Virginia, a 70-61 loser to Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament championship game Sunday at the Charlotte Coliseum, will play the Fighting Irish (16-10) on Friday in Richmond, Va.
The Cavaliers already have played two games this season at the Richmond Coliseum, where they won the Times-Dispatch Invitational with victories over Virginia Commonwealth and Richmond.
"It's a slight advantage for us, mostly because it keeps us from having to travel [more than one hour]," said Terry Holland, Virginia's coach. "We're a tired basketball team right now.
"It's something the fans will be excited about, although Richmond is already sold out. I'm sure there will be a tremendous demand for tickets from our fans and there just aren't any to be had."
The Cavaliers, whose NCAA chances were the subject of some speculation before the ACC Tournament, were seeded seventh in the Southeast Region. Notre Dame is seeded 10th.
UVa was one of five ACC teams selected, joining Georgia Tech, Duke, North Carolina and Clemson. North Carolina State (18-12) was ineligible because of a one-year postseason ban as part of its NCAA probation.
"You're always pleased to see as many ACC teams as possible," Holland said. "I was very surprised Maryland [18-13] was not in the field.
"As I watched them put the teams on the board, I kept saying, `Gee, Maryland is probably in.' Then, all of a sudden they were done and Maryland was out."
The NCAA berth was the ninth overall for Virginia under Holland, who is in his 16th and final season as the Cavaliers' coach. Notre Dame has made the NCAA field 14 times under coach Digger Phelps, the last six consecutively.
"Notre Dame is a very talented team," Holland said. "I have not had a chance to see them play, other than a little bit of their big win over Syracuse."
Holland and Phelps rank 21st and 23rd, respectively, in victories among active Division I coaches. Holland, 47, is in his 21st season as a head coach; Phelps, 48, is in his 20th.
"These kids, after watching the first 32 names go up on the board, started to get a little nervous," Phelps said. "Once our name went up, they didn't care who we played. I think the most important thing now is that we're in. It's a new season."
The Fighting Irish lost Saturday to DePaul 64-59 at the Rosemont (Ill.) Horizon, but they defeated Syracuse on the road and beat Missouri at home during the final weeks of the regular season.
The winner of the Virginia-Notre Dame game will advance to the round of 32 against the winner of the game between second-seeded Syracuse and Coppin State.
by CNB