THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 6, 1994 TAG: 9412060505
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
Fans who sneaked into University Hall to take a peek at Virginia's preseason basketball practices often were shocked by what they saw.
Guards Cory Alexander and Harold Deane were going after each other in scrimmages as if they were bitter enemies.
Last year, the Cavaliers were Deane's team, marching to his dribble after Alexander was lost for the year with a broken ankle in the season opener.
This fall, however, Alexander, one of the nation's premier point guards, was back to resume his leadership role, promising to take the Cavaliers to the Final Four in his last college season.
The big question seemed to be: Could Alexander and Deane co-exist in the same backcourt?
``The scrimmages were pretty rough, and I am sure if someone just saw those practices, he would think we didn't like each other,'' Alexander said. ``But they would know better if they saw me and Harold away from the practice court. We are friends who respect each other.''
Maybe so, but going into tonight's game against Vanderbilt (10:30 p.m., HTS) in Nashville, Tenn., some are still wondering if the two similarly talented and highly competitive guards can be compatible on the same court, even when on the same side.
They say no problem, but it has not been a smooth beginning. In the Cavaliers' first two games, it seemed each was trying to outgun the other.
Virginia barely beat Old Dominion and lost to Ohio University as Deane and Alexander combined for more than half of the team's shots, and neither hit better than 39 percent. They were a combined 2 for 24 from 3-point range.
Both showed greater restraint and a better shooting touch in U.Va.'s next two games. But they also seemed more at ease - and played their best - when the other was not on the court.
Still, both insist there's no problem between them, and they say they can play together effectively.
``I am an unselfish player and I can blend with anyone, especially Cory,'' Deane said after the No. 23 Cavaliers' 94-66 win over Towson State on Saturday. ``We know each other and we know what we like to do, and we like to get the ball to each other in those positions where we can be effective.''
In Virginia's first two games, Alexander said, he and Deane simply were trying to take advantage of scoring opportunities and not trying to outdo one another.
``We both can be pretty aggressive when someone gives us a chance to score,'' Alexander said. ``But I don't think Harold and I have any problem playing together, because we do get along so well.''
No one would be surprised, though, if either player had harbored resentment toward the other coming into this season.
After Alexander's injury, Deane, who had not attracted much attention from major-college coaches in high school, came on to have a sensational freshman season.
At the end of year, he was playing as well and any point guard in the ACC. His late-game 3-pointer over Grant Hill was decisive in Virginia's upset of Duke in an ACC tournament semifinal, and his 19 points kept Virginia close in the title game against North Carolina.
Deane and the Cavaliers proved wrong those who said they could not reach the NCAA playoffs without Alexander.
Still this fall, Alexander returned as leader of the Cavaliers. It was his team again, and it was up to Deane to adjust to another role.
Although coach Jeff Jones matched the two guards against each other in preseason scrimmages, he planned all along to start both, with Deane moving to the shooting-guard position.
It seemed a natural move for Deane, who led Virginia with 51 3-point goals last season. Jones expected Deane's shooting to improve, too, without the added burden of running the team.
But Deane has been at his best this season when Alexander is out of the game and Deane is at the point.
``I do think I play my best when I have the ball in my hands,'' Deane admitted. He quickly added, though, that he is comfortable playing either guard position.
``Any time you play for a good team, you are going to have to make adjustments, and that is what life is all about, making adjustments,'' Deane said.
Alexander is convinced, too, that he and Deane are good for each other.
``We both came out of those preseason scrimmages better players,'' he said. ``We might not face better competition than each other the whole season.'' ILLUSTRATION: Stff file photos
Cory Alexander
Harold Deans
by CNB