THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150450
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Middle of the road.
A few good years, a few bad years, but mostly a bland course of mediocrity.
That is the story of the University of Virginia basketball program over the past 20 years, in which the Cavaliers' average Atlantic Coast Conference finish was halfway between fourth and fifth. They won 142 games and lost 134 over that span.
The best years were during the Ralph Sampson era, 1980-83, when the Cavaliers won the regular-season outright once and tied North Carolina two other times.
They were 44-12 in the league with Sampson, but immediately fell back to a 6-8 finish following his departure and have been no higher than a tie for second since.
Perhaps feeling history is slow to change, and the new 7-4 guy at Virginia, freshman Chase Metheney is no Sampson, ACC seers are predicting another fourth-place finish in the league for the Cavaliers.
But the prognosis is brighter on the national scene, where two respected publications (Dick Vitale's Yearbook and Street and Smith's) have the Cavaliers sixth in their preseason rankings.
They were picked seventh by two other publications, 10th and 13th by two others.
While preseason rankings mean little once the playing starts, they are a sign that Virginia's program
is beginning to attract a new respect. But they are something of a mystery, too.
``It is interesting to see those lofty numbers in the preseason national rankings compared to where we are being picked in the conference,'' says Virginia coach Jeff Jones.
``I guess that says something about our conference.''
It says plenty, too, about the challenge Jones faces in breaking the mold and moving the Cavaliers from mediocrity to a higher level in the league.
But if the Cavaliers live up to national expectations, this will be the year it makes the big jump.
Virginia has been competitive in the league, knocking off the top teams occasionally, but only lately under Jones have the Cavaliers had the consistent recruiting years to truly elevate the program.
While former coach Terry Holland was respected for ``getting the most out of what he had,'' he brought few blue-chip recruits to Charlottesville.
Virginia's only All-Americans in the last two decades were Sampson and Jeff Lamp, the fewest number of any ACC team in that period.
Jones, who played with both Lamp and Sampson, has had better success in luring talent to Charlottesville since replacing Holland in 1990.
``I say we are just as talented, if not more talented, than anyone else in the league,'' boasts point guard Cory Alexander, who may be the next All-American.
The depth of the talent was revealed last season when Alexander was lost with a broken ankle in the first game.
The Cavaliers finished strong in an 18-13 season, losing to No. 1-ranked North Carolina in the final of the ACC tournament and earning an NCAA tournament bid.
The leaders of the late-season surge were freshmen Harold Deane and Jamal Robinson.
With Alexander, one of the nation's premier guards, back at full strength, Virginia now has a chance to meet national expectations and make a run at its first ACC title since the Sampson years.
``Without a doubt we can win the ACC,'' declares Alexander.
Returning starters include Junior Burrough, Jason Williford, Deane, and Yuri Barnes. The only loss was defensive ace Cornel Parker, and Jones added freshmen Norman Nolan and Curtis Staples, who will get quality playing time.
Jones is not as outspoken as Alexander, but he doesn't shy away from the high national expectations.
``The pieces, at least most of the pieces, of the puzzle are there for us to be a good team,'' Jones said.
Jones says one of the keys will be an improved offense for the Cavaliers, who had some miserable shooting nights last season.
The other key, Jones adds, is for the team to believe it is as good as giants North Carolina and Duke.
``It is mental for us,'' Jones said. ``It is a matter of going from being competitive and being able to beat anyone you play to expecting you are going to win.
``It is not a matter of talent that separates a team that wins 20-something games from one that wins 30-something.
``You need to go into games with a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, with a little bit of arrogance, and knowing you are going to find a way to win.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Jeff Jones
Color staff photo by Paul Aiken
Basketball players
Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN/
A broken ankle sidelined Cory Alexander last year, but the junior
guard has returned with his brash persona intact.
by CNB