ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702100129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
After losing 53 of its previous 56 men's basketball games at North Carolina, Virginia couldn't have expected much Saturday?
The Cavaliers couldn't have expected to lose by 24 points.
Nevertheless, that's been the history of a series in which the Tar Heels defeated UVa for the 16th consecutive time in Chapel Hill, 81-57, at the Dean Smith Center. Five of those losses have been by more than 20 points, all since 1988. Carolina twice led by 29 on Saturday in a game that was not close after the final minutes of the first half.
``To say that North Carolina was impressive would be a huge understatement,'' said Cavaliers coach Jeff Jones, who was a junior on the last UVa team to win at Carolina. ``They simply overwhelmed us.
``As far as our basketball team, we've had two disappointing performances in a row and it's a crucial time for us. If we don't get some things straightened out, we'll continue having problems.''
Only one week earlier, Virginia had put the finishing touches on a four-game winning streak that gave the Cavaliers 15 victories with more than a month left in the regular season. Now, it's hard to say when they might win again.
``The season ain't over,'' said UVa guard Curtis Staples, whose sentiments were echoed by several teammates. ``That's the one good thing that we can say. We've got a long way to go, but it's time to turn it around now, or else we're in trouble.''
The Cavaliers (15-8 overall, 5-6 ACC) had defeated the Tar Heels 75-63 on Jan.11 in Charlottesville, Va., but much has transpired since that game. For one thing, Vince Carter was healthy Saturday for Carolina (15-6, 5-5).
Carter played in the first game, but was limited to 10 minutes by a hip pointer. He was at full speed and in full flight Saturday, when he had 16 points, including four dunks.
It was Virginia that had physical problems this time. Harold Deane, continuing to limp from the shin injury that has plagued him since December, repeatedly had to leave the game and was held to seven points.
``Guards thrive off quickness, and when you can't move like you're used to moving and can't beat guys off the dribble, it's tough,'' said Deane, who had a season-low six points Thursday in a 66-53 loss at Georgia Tech.
``I'm not going to make any excuses. It's very frustrating, [but] the main objective is to win games,'' he said. ``If I think I can help the team win, I'm going to be out there. I'm just dealing with it right now.''
Deane's frustration never was more evident than when he was called for an intentional foul after grabbing Carter on a breakaway with 11:19 remaining. Deane left the floor to a chorus of boos, but re-entered the game.
``I'm not going to sit there and let somebody keep dunking the ball,'' Deane said. ``That would have been [Carolina's] sixth or seventh dunk of the game. If I've got to foul somebody, I will.''
Jones was not happy with the Cavaliers' ball-handling, but mostly it was UVa's missed shots that enabled Carolina to get out in transition. UVa shot 29.3 percent in the second half and 35.5 for the game.
Antawn Jamison had a team-high 19 points for the Tar Heels, followed by Serge Zwikker and Shammond Williams with 18 apiece. Ademola Okulaja added 10 rebounds as Carolina dominated the backboards 48-27.
Norman Nolan, the Cavaliers' lone double-figure scorer against Georgia Tech, had 13 points in the first half and 19 for the game. Courtney Alexander, after a pair of scoreless outings, added 11.
Alexander came off the bench to play 25 minutes, his longest outing since Jan.22, when he sprained his left ankle for the second time this season. He had played eight minutes in each of his past two games.
Jones was late in addressing the media Saturday after an extended meeting with his team. The Cavaliers entertain streaking Duke on Tuesday night amid talk that their season may be slipping away.
``I wouldn't say that,'' Jones said, ``but we need to feel a sense of urgency. We need to make sure that, every chance we have to be out on the court, we make the most of it.''
Of course, the Cavaliers have left Chapel Hill with their heads hanging before, as have a few other teams. The Tar Heels are 9-1 this year at the Smith Center, with the only loss coming when they blew a 22-point lead against Maryland.
``When you can still do it on the road, that's when you know you have it,'' said Carolina coach Dean Smith, whose team visits N.C. State and Georgia Tech next. ``Talk to me next week.''
AP North Carolina's Antawn Jamison (left) pulls a rebound away from Virginia's Colin Ducharme during Saturday's game in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels dominated the boards 48-27. (ran in New River edition.) color
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LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. North Carolina's Antawn Jamison (top) rejects a shotby CNBby Virginia's Curtis Staples during Saturday's ACC game.