THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 14, 1995 TAG: 9501140310
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DURHAM, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The mere mention of Virginia's next two opponents brings a smile to the lips of Cavaliers' sophomore swingman Jamal Robinson.
He loves the atmosphere in Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Virginia plays Duke in a televised game this afternoon C, 4 p.m.), and there is a score to be settled with North Carolina, which will be waiting in the Dean Dome for Virginia next Wednesday night.
``We owe Carolina for that seven-point loss in the championship game of the ACC tournament last year,'' Robinson said.
While that defeat to the Tar Heels still stings, Robinson mostly has warm feelings about the tournament.
It was his coming-out party, and the best part of the season for the Cavaliers, who upset Maryland and Final Four-bound Duke before the close loss to North Carolina.
Robinson, who during the regular season had showed flashes of brilliance - remember that flying dunk against ODU in Scope? - got his first start in the opening round of the tournament.
He scored 16 points and had eight rebounds against Maryland. The next night he poured in a career-high 19 in the victory over fifth-ranked Duke, and followed with a solid 13-point effort in the championship game.
The 6-foot-7 freshman from Jamaica, N.Y., was named to the All-ACC tournament team and seemed on his way to becoming one of the most exciting players in the league.
On a Virginia team that traditionally wins with blue-collar workmanship and an iron-fisted defense, Robinson had the offensive flash and dash to thrill fans and teammates.
``A lot of people had high expectations for me coming into this season,'' Robinson said, ``and I was one of them.''
But when asked to evaluate his season so far, Robinson shakes his head: ``Horrible. Just horrible.''
Statistics back him up.
Through 12 games, Robinson is averaging 5.4 points with only 31 percent field goal accuracy.
``He has had a rough time,'' coach Jeff Jones said, ``but he is playing better and we know how valuable he can be when he does get going.''
Robinson is receiving daily treatment for a nagging back injury, but he doesn't blame that for his his slow start.
``It is all here,'' he said, tapping his head. ``It is all mental. I need to quit thinking so much and just go out and play my game.''
In Wednesday's 61-37 victory over Clemson, Robinson cleanly drilled his first 3-point attempt. Then he missed his next six.
``The first one I just shot without thinking about it,'' Robinson said. ``That is what I need to do all the time.''
Jones agrees, and he also thinks Robinson has to be willing to settle for a routine dunk or a 6-foot jump shot instead of always looking for more dramatic and colorful shots.
Robinson wound up at Virginia after Georgia Tech turned him down for a scholarship. He got off to a slow start as a freshman, mainly because of the same mental problem he's experienced this year.
Before arriving for his freshman year, he thought he would play right away for the Cavaliers. After a couple of weeks, though, he began wondering if he'd play at all.
``I got down on myself, and that is one thing I should never do,'' Robinson said.
``Coach (Jones) keeps telling me to relax and play my game. He helped my confidence by putting me back in the starting lineup, and I feel that I'm starting to come around.''
Coming off an unimpressive pre-conference performance, Virginia takes a 3-0 league record into today's Duke game - and two of the wins were on the road against Florida State and North Carolina State.
Duke, meanwhile, is off to its worst ACC start since 1982 after losing its first three league games. Coach Mike Krzyzewski has missed the last two games because of problems resulting from his preseason back surgery.
Krzyzewski is not expected to resume coaching for at least a couple of weeks.
``It is going to be a tough game for us, and a big one for both teams,'' ILLUSTRATION: Color file photo
U.Va. swingman Jamal Robinson splits two North Carolina defenders
during last year's ACC tournament final. Robinson finished with a
16-point average and a spot on the all-tournament team.
by CNB