Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 15, 1992 TAG: 9203150152
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Instead, Jones remained upbeat over the Cavaliers' chances of an NCAA Tournament bid, placing the odds at "better than 50-50."
It was widely assumed that UVa would receive an invitation if it defeated Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Not only did the Cavaliers lose to Tech, 68-56, but they looked awful in doing it.
Billy Packer, color commentator on the broadcast, said during the game that Virginia would not receive an NCAA bid and ESPN studio analyst Jim Valvano later added, "You can write it down," that UVa will not go.
"I don't think we're a lock by any means," Jones said, "but I don't think the selection committee will pay any attention to what is being said on TV.
"Some people will try and make a case against us and I respect that, but the problem I have is with the people in the studio who try and politick for one team over another. I question their motivation."
No team has made the 64-team NCAA field with a 15-13 record, but Villanova was two games over .500 last year at 16-14. Georgetown was 18-12, but had four wins over Division II opposition, which do not count for selection purposes.
"I haven't changed my thinking [over the weekend] because the factors that made me believe we had a chance haven't changed," Jones said.
"We still have the power ranking, the strength of schedule, the conference record and a relatively strong finish."
The Cavaliers, ranked 29th in the computer rankings published by USA Today, won their final three regular-season games to tie for fourth in the ACC at 8-8. Their schedule was rated the toughest in the ACC.
"I would find it a very difficult pill to swallow if Wake Forest went in ahead of us," Jones said. "I don't want Wake Forest excluded, but we finished ahead of them and both teams lost in the tournament."
Jones was reminded that Wake Forest has the better overall record at 17-11, "but," he said, "I think that's when you look at strength of schedule."
Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom was an assistant at Virginia for eight seasons, but he doesn't want the Cavaliers invited at the Deacons' expense.
"I've never been positive [about Wake getting a bid]," Odom said, "but, if we make it, we will make no apologies for making it. The selection will be based on the criteria the committee has set down."
At issue is how many teams the committee will take from the ACC. Tournament finalists Duke and North Carolina are certain, along with Florida State and Georgia Tech.
"In my opinion, they will not take only four," Odom said. "I think they'll take five and I wouldn't be shocked if they take six. It's in their hands. I'm not doing any begging."
Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland, who has a football background, said Friday that the time for politicking was past and that he would not make any calls over the weekend.
"Obviously, there is some politicking that goes on," Jones said.
by CNB