ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 10, 1997 TAG: 9702110017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: UVA NOTES
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
If there is one thing that has stood out about Courtney Alexander's game, other than the elevation on his jump shot, it has been his boundless confidence.
He doesn't have either right now.
Alexander, slowed by a sprained left ankle for the second time this season, was shut out in back-to-games before scoring 11 points Saturday in Virginia's 81-57 loss to North Carolina.
``I'm emotionally distraught right now,'' said Alexander, who is averaging a team-high 14.5 points per game, down from 19.0 at the time of his first injury. ``My confidence level isn't where it normally is.
``When I shot the ball before, I always felt like it was going in. When I took my man off the dribble, I felt like I couldn't be stopped. Right now, I don't have a comfort zone out on the court. I'm not playing the way I know how to play.''
Recovery from the second ankle injury has taken longer than the first. Whenever he enters a game after sitting for any length of time, Alexander limps to the scorer's table and he appears tentative at times.
``I'm 75 to 80 percent,'' he said. ``I don't have the same bounce yet. With my injury, I don't see it getting a whole lot better for the remainder of the season. It's bearable; that's about all I can say.''
When Alexander played eight minutes against Florida State on Feb.1, he reportedly snapped at coach Jeff Jones over the decision to play him at all. However, Alexander has been playing just as many head games with himself.
``Right now I am,'' he said. ``I'm on an emotional roller coaster. Courtney is known for his confidence, and right now I don't have it. I'm going through a little identity crisis. I'm really struggling.''
The same can be said for the Cavaliers, who were beaten by eighth-place Georgia Tech 66-53 before being routed by Carolina. Before traveling to Atlanta, UVa had a four-game winning streak.
``We won those four games, but, quite honestly, we should have won those four games,'' Alexander said. ``You're proud of it, but I think we got to thinking we were a little better than we were.
``We've had some problems on and off the court this year, but the last thing Virginia basketball can afford to do is self-destruct. That's why last season [when the Cavaliers went 12-15] was a blessing in disguise. We don't want to go through that again.''
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: Opponents have gotten wise to Virginia shooting guard Curtis Staples, who was on a scoring tear until he had seven and six points, respectively, in his past two games.
``Our opponents have plenty of videotape available,'' Jones said. ``They can read the box scores and scout. It shouldn't come as a surprise when they're gearing up on us.''
Virginia had enjoyed considerable success with a new play called ``Four Down,'' in which one of the Cavaliers' big men sets a screen at the top of the key, freeing Staples for 3-pointers.
``I don't think it's what teams are doing,'' said the former Patrick Henry High School star. ``I think I'm doing it to myself. When I'm out there, I don't feel like I'm into it for some reason. I don't know why.
``I'm still getting shots, still getting open shots, still getting good shots; I'm just not making them. I've had to work a little harder, but the shots I've been getting, I usually knock down.''
HUNTER REVISITED: Jones was evasive Saturday when a North Carolina sportswriter asked him if he was encouraged by the play of freshman Kris Hunter, who had two points, two rebounds and two blocks in eight minutes.
Hunter continues to play behind Craig McAndrew, who has as many fouls (31) after 13 games as he has points and rebounds combined. McAndrew repeatedly was pushed under the basket on missed Carolina free throws.
``There is a reason why coaches do the things they do,'' Jones said. ``Don't you think there was a reason why the football staff played [Tim] Sherman and not [Aaron] Brooks at quarterback?''
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Alexanderby CNB