Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 22, 1993 TAG: 9312220111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Alexander said last season as a sophomore that he would consider leaving college before the end of his eligibility, but he has taken a more guarded stance in recent months.
"I think Cory realizes that isn't going to happen [this year]," UVa coach Jeff Jones said earlier this week.
Along the same lines, Jones indicated there is little chance that Alexander, who suffered a broken ankle in Virginia's opener against Connecticut on Nov. 29, will be redshirted.
"I couldn't see him coming back for a fifth year," said Jones, whose Cavaliers (3-2) travel to California to face Stanford (5-0) tonight at 10:30 p.m.
Team physician Frank McCue said Alexander would miss at least six weeks of action, but apparently that's six weeks until he can resume workouts. Alexander passed the three-week mark Monday, but the ankle remains in a cast and his rehabilitation has been limited.
"They've removed the cast and it was evident that the healing process was under way," Jones said. "He hasn't had much success with his conditioning; he can't very well ride the bike with one foot."
Jones said on his radio call-in show Sunday that late January or early February is a realistic target date for Alexander's return to game action.
"That's not Doc McCue talking," Jones said. "That's just what I have in mind."
\ POWELL HAD TO PLAY: Jones said he would have considered redshirting Mike Powell, hospitalized with meningitis in late November, if not for Alexander's injury.
Powell, a freshman guard from Washington played so well in early workouts that there was no question of holding him out. However, Powell has had problems with stamina and has played more than five minutes in only one game.
\ THE FRESHMEN: Jones has been pleased with the play of freshmen Powell, Harold Deane and Jamal Robinson, but they have provided little of the perimeter shooting the Cavaliers need so desperately.
Powell is looking for his first college field goal after nine attempts, and Robinson started 0-for-9 from the field before "warming" to his current 5-for-17 (29.4 percent).
Deane has played 35, 38, 36 and 37 minutes in UVa's past four games, but Jones doesn't worry about the fatigue factor.
"He's pretty well put together," said the Cavaliers' coach. "[Strength coach] John Gamble saw him and said, `Uh oh.' We have to be careful that he doesn't become too [muscle-bound]."
Robinson's minutes have increased in recent games, as has the coaches' appreciation for his athletic ability. He took an outlet pass on the right wing against Old Dominion and took off well outside the lane to dunk over the Monarchs' Mike Jones.
\ THE FOUL LINE: Not only are the Cavaliers hitting less than 60 percent of their free throws, there is nothing to suggest improvement is imminent. In their past 12 games, dating to last season, they are 160-for-283 (56.5 percent) from the line.
"So, it is over 50 percent?" Jones said, with mock surprise. "I was just always brought up that you should shoot over 72 percent. I definitely think that this team is capable of shooting over 70 percent."
Jones said that Deane, shooting 56 percent from the line, routinely makes anywhere from 45 to 48 of the 50 free throws he takes during practice. He notes that junior Jason Williford, who is 7-for-16, won an award last season as the team's best free-throw shooter (77.2 percent).
"We've shot a lot; we've shot a little," Jones said. "We've varied the times when we shoot free throws [in practice] and the situation. Nothing seems to help. I definitely think it's mental."
\ RECRUITING: The Cavaliers expect to get a visit from Leron Williams, a 6-7 forward from Bradenton, Fla., who has been rated among the top 50 prospects in the country by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons.
Williams, averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds for Southeast High School, was unable to take any paid visits during the fall because he had not scored 700 or better on the Scholastic Assessment Test. He is expected to make the score and has Virginia on a list with Florida and Purdue, which he has visited since the early period ended.
by CNB