Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 21, 1992 TAG: 9203210065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
History could have told him the same thing.
The schools hardly ever meet during the regular season, but their teams have played at least 10 times in the postseason since 1981 - six times in women's basketball, three times in men's basketball and once in football.
In fact, Tennessee was the only team to defeat the Cavaliers in their past nine NIT games, stopping Virginia 61-54 in 1985 in Knoxville, Tenn. This time, UVa (16-13) is at home as Tennessee (19-14) visits University Hall at 7:30 p.m. Monday in a game that will be televised by ESPN.
Tennessee was awarded a first-round home game, but a crowd of only 4,810 was on hand at 24,535-seat Thompson-Boling Arena as the Vols defeated Alabama-Birmingham 71-68 behind 33 points from junior Allan Houston.
Virginia, which did not inform the NIT of the availability of University Hall until the pairing process was under way, was sent on the road for the first round. UVa, a three-point underdog, defeated Villanova 83-80.
The Cavaliers hadn't played the first game before notifying the NIT that they wanted to be host to a second-round game.
Jones learned of the Tennessee match-up in a call from athletic director Jim Copeland around 2 or 3 a.m. Friday. Jones was on a recruiting trip.
"I really had no idea who or where we would be playing," Jones said. "Because of the schedule I was on [Thursday night], I wasn't aware who had won or lost."
Tennessee was so certain it would play Virginia that it faxed a set of statistics to Charlottesville and requested the same information from UVa on Thursday.
"I just look at the teams who were left and thought Virginia would be the most obvious opponent for us in terms of geography," Houston said.
The Cavaliers sold out 10 of their 12 games at University Hall - and were within 100 of capacity in the other two times - but those figures represented sold tickets and not actual attendance. There were empty seats at most of the games.
Monday night's game is not part of the season-ticket package. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youths 18 and under, and $5 for students at the participating schools. There will be no reserved seats.
"[Attendance] would be a concern, as you look at the first-round games," Jones said. "I'm hopeful of a good crowd. I'm sure a 15-13 record is not what our fans had in mind, but our players have battled and the crowd can help us move on to the next level."
After saying University Hall would not be available after Monday night, Jones indicated the Cavaliers might be able to serve as host for a third-round game if they win.
Virginia is the site of the NCAA Women's Tournament East Regional starting Thursday. Third-round NIT games are Wednesday and Thursday.
"There are only certain days we can hold it [and] the NIT is aware of that," Jones said, "but, really, I think we should be focusing on Tennessee right now."
by CNB