ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603040113
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK, MD.
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
From all indications, Virginia basketball coach Jeff Jones did not punch a blackboard Saturday at Cole Field House.
However, the thought may have crossed his mind.
Jones, who broke a hand last year at Maryland, was no less furious after the Cavaliers committed 24 turnovers and lost to the Terrapins for the second time this season, 83-71.
``That was the game,'' said Jones of the turnovers. ``Maryland is an outstanding pressing team, but for us to have 24 turnovers and give up 15 steals is inexcusable.''
The Cavaliers (12-14 overall, 6-10 ACC) had not committed as many as 20 turnovers in a game since the 1993-94 season, when they beat Maryland 69-63 despite committing 24 turnovers in a first-round ACC tournament game.
That Maryland team featured Joe Smith, who watched from the bench Saturday as the Terrapins accomplished something they managed only twice in five games during his college career - beat Virginia.
A sellout crowd of 14,500 cheered lustily when Smith's jersey was retired in ceremonies before the game Saturday, although coach Gary Williams wasn't sure if Smith's presence on the bench was a factor.
``I would have felt better if he was on the court,'' said Williams, whose Terrapins were picked to win the ACC despite losing Smith, who turned pro after two years.
But, Maryland (15-11, 7-8) is no cinch to make the NCAA Tournament, particularly after falling to Duke 77-75 on a last-second 3-point shot by Ricky Price on Wednesday night.
``We talked about not letting a win or a loss affect the rest of our season,'' Williams said. ``I can tell you, it was not a pleasant feeling in the locker room after the game Wednesday.''
Maryland was sharp from the beginning Saturday, taking advantage of three straight UVa turnovers to take a 9-2 lead. When Duane Simpkins made his third 3-pointer with 5:33 remaining in the half, the Terrapins led 34-15.
Fifth-year senior Chris Alexander, the trigger man on Virginia's in-bounds play, looked as if he had never seen a full-court press. And, he didn't get much help.
Alexander, widely hailed for his defensive effort in a 67-49 victory over Wake Forest, was no factor Saturday against Keith Booth. Booth, a 6-foot-5 junior, finished with a career-high 29 points.
Booth, who stands 4 inches shorter than Alexander, had established his previous career high when he scored 27 points in the Terrapins' 80-72 win over Virginia in January.
``Alexander would have to speak to this,'' Williams said, ``but sometimes it's easier to play a bigger guy than a smaller guy. Keith has some guard moves. He's not your normal 6-9 power forward.''
Alexander did not disagree with Williams' theory, but Jones cautioned the media against making too many connections between the two games. In the first meeting, Booth repeatedly shot from 15 feet.
``I'm sure a lot will be said and written - and rightfully so - about Keith Booth,'' Jones said. ``But, the numbers are basically where the similarities end. In Charlottesville, he hit jump shots. Today, he kicked our butt in the paint.''
Virginia, as has been its pattern, got no offense from its post players. Perfectly good passes would go inside, the receiver wouldn't come to meet the ball, and guards Curtis Staples and Harold Deane would be charged with turnovers.
That's why Virginia, which shot 49.1 percent to Maryland's 40.0 and battled the Terps to a 39-39 standoff on the boards, could come no closer than eight points in the second half.
Staples and Deane each had three 3-point field goals and finished with 20 and 17 points, respectively. Deane took over first place on UVa's career 3-point list with 181; Staples is tied with previous record-holder John Crotty in second place with 179.
The only consolation for UVa is that it no longer has to worry about the play-in game between the Nos.8 and 9 seeds at the ACC tournament, but the Cavaliers already knew that. They will play second-seeded Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Friday in the second round.
The Cavaliers had been off for seven days and showed none of the promise that had allowed them to lead during some point in the second half of their previous nine games. Jones did not hesitate when asked if UVa's performance Saturday represented a step backward.
``I thought we covered a lot of ground in practice this week,'' Jones said. ``If you'd given our guys a written or oral examination on Maryland, my guess is that they would have passed with flying colors. But, under pressure ... ''
He didn't complete the thought. He didn't have to.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 88 linesby CNB