Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 15, 1993 TAG: 9302150025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CAVS LOOKING FOR `GO-TO GUY' IN `GOATEE GUY' WILLIFORD
All college basketball teams would love to have a "go-to guy," but Jason Williford would be described more accurately as Virginia's goatee guy.Williford, a sophomore forward who sports a goatee, had not scored in three games before making all three of his shots in the second half Saturday in UVa's 83-78 victory at Clemson.
Williford was the object of some speculation this week when UVa coach Jeff Jones was asked if he was contemplating a change in the Cavaliers' starting lineup.
"I wouldn't do it as punishment because somebody is struggling," Jones said. "We're not into pointing fingers. I wouldn't rule it out, but it would have to benefit all involved."
Jones has been pleased with the production he has gotten from sixth man Doug Smith, who has played more minutes than Williford. If Smith were to start, UVa would have negligible scoring off the bench.
Also, a small Virginia team becomes even smaller when Smith, who is 6 feet 1, replaces the 6-5 Williford. Cornel Parker, tall for a shooting guard at 6-7, moves to small forward in that lineup.
When Maryland sat down senior center Chris Kerwin, Virginia became the only ACC team that has used the same starting lineup in every game. Expect that to change if Jones follows precedent and gives Smith a ceremonial start in his final home game.
\ CLANG, CLANG: UVa center Ted Jeffries, who led the ACC in free-throw percentage when he went 18-for-20 in the first six games, is 22-for-44 in the past 14 games.
Jeffries, who had 23 points and 19 rebounds Monday night in the Cavaliers' 99-84 loss at Florida State, had a total of 14 points and 14 rebounds in UVa's wins over North Carolina State and Clemson. Jeffries was fighting cold and flu symptoms Saturday.
\ THE NEXT CENTER?: Yuri Barnes auditioned for a possible role as Jeffries' successor when he was assigned Clemson center Sharone Wright for long stretches of the second half.
How much was he giving up? "[It was] four, five, six, maybe seven inches," said Barnes, who appears shorter than his listed 6 feet 8. "He's a big guy. I just tried to front him."
Barnes doesn't view himself as a natural center, but he is UVa's only dependable reserve at the inside positions. Shawn Wilson played two minutes Saturday and threw the ball over the basket.
\ TURNOVERS NOT EVERYTHING: Virginia has forced only 32 turnovers in four games, but the Cavaliers have won three times because of their solid half-court defense.
Saturday's game marked the 10th time this season Virginia has held an opponent to below 40 percent shooting and the sixth time on the road - all UVa victories. The Cavaliers lead the ACC in field-goal percentage defense.
\ WHERE'S THE MAIL: Athletic director Jim Copeland said he has received 40 or 45 letters in response to a proposed new seating plan for men's basketball.
"Have you heard anything?" Copeland asked a sportswriter. "Past experience led me to believe we'd be flooded with mail."
\ IN THE BONUS: Williford had missed 11 straight 3-point attempts and was 2-for-20 for the season before connecting early in the second half Saturday. . . . Cory Alexander, is 33-of-39 (84.6 percent) on free throws in ACC games and has no fewer than four rebounds in the past seven games from his guard spot. . . . Smith's running one-hander in the second half was his first field goal from inside the 3-point arc in eight games. . . . Virginia early signee Jamal Robinson made significant progress when he took the Scholastic Aptitude Test in January and is on the verge of the Division I scholarship requirements. . . . Former Roanoker Sam Croft officiated Saturday's game and has called five UVa games this season, more than any other official.