Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 12, 1990 TAG: 9003122900
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
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 (16-12) at 9:30 p.m. Friday in Richmond, Va.
The Cavaliers (19-11) 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]," Virginia coach Terry Holland said. "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 but 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.
"I was very surprised Maryland [18-13] was not in the field," Holland said. "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 basketball team," Holland said. "I haven't had a chance to watch them for a whole game, but the way they blew Missouri out late in the season was truly a spectacular effort."
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.
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.
"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."
"I think a lot of people didn't think we'd make it. I told these kids all year long to just play hard and do the things we have to do against the power teams on our schedule."
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.
The Associated Press contributed some information for this story.
by CNB