THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150586
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Replacing Harold Deane could be a bigger problem for the Virginia coaching staff than replacing Cory Alexander, out for the remainder of the season with a broken ankle.
As anticipated, Deane has done an excellent job since taking over the point guard position previously held by Alexander.
The problem is finding someone who can give Deane a break at the position, as he did for Alexander before Alexander was hurt in last Wednesday's game against North Carolina State.
Deane played all but one minute in Virginia's weekend victories over Clemson and Nevada-Las Vegas, and he probably will be needed for 40 minutes again tonight against Duke (7 p.m., ESPN).
``I will be hesitant to take him out unless he gets into foul trouble or asks out,'' Cavaliers coach Jeff Jones said Tuesday.
If necessary, Jones said he would relieve Deane with Jamal Robinson, who moved from small forward to the No. 2 guard slot because of Alexander's injury.
The 6-foot-7 Robinson played some point guard last season when Deane took over the position following a similar injury to Alexander.
``Jamal has the ability to get the ball downcourt,'' Jones said.
Jones is comfortable with Deane at the point position, but he noted there are differences between him and Alexander.
``Harold is less of a penetrator,'' Jones said. ``He is more of a power guard who makes stronger moves to the basket.''
Jones believes the Cavaliers are smart enough not to underestimate the Blue Devils (11-12, 1-10), who lost to Maryland and Wake Forest by a total of 3 points and to North Carolina in double overtime.
Virginia also went into double overtime for a 91-88 victory in Durham, N.C.
``The bottom line is they are a very dangerous team and they are going to beat someone this season to get them over the hump. I hope it isn't us,'' Jones said.
SULLIVAN IMPROVES: North Carolina, which has looked tired in recent games, might be getting forward Pat Sullivan back soon.
Sullivan, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, has not played this season because of back problems and surgery in December.
Coach Dean Smith said Sullivan may be in uniform for Thursday's game against Clemson but could still be a couple of weeks away from getting much playing time.
``He is not getting up and down the court like he did, and we will have to move very slowly and work him back gradually,'' Smith said.
``But if he gets back to where he was in November, which was tremendous, we will be an improved team.''
Carolina's biggest problem in the last three games has been a lack of rebounding strength.
The Tar Heels became one of the league's smaller teams when Sullivan was lost and 6-foot-4 guard Dante Calabria was moved to small forward.
NO BITTERNESS: Clemson and North Carolina exchanged heated words after their first game, but both coaches insist hard feelings no longer exist.
Smith complained of Clemson's hard fouls in the Tar Heels' 83-66 victory last month, and Clemson coach Rick Barnes was reprimanded by ACC commissioner Gene Corrigan for the actions that led to his ejection in the final seconds.
The two teams play Thursday night in Chapel Hill, and Smith sees no need to rehash what happened in the first game.
Barnes denied telling his players before the first game ``if you foul, make sure it's a hard foul,'' as one Clemson player told the media.
``We are not a physical team, but we do play hard, and I hope that's how we play Thursday,'' Barnes said.
GEORGIA TECH INJURIES: It is Virginia's rotten luck that Georgia Tech expects both Drew Barry and James Forrest back for its game against the Cavaliers on Feb. 22.
Forrest has been out the last two weeks with a hand injury suffered in an auto accident. Barry severely sprained his ankle in Sunday's loss to North Carolina.
Coach Bobby Cremins said both would miss the next two games against North Carolina A&T and Wake Forest.
``Getting both back at the same time for Virginia will be a tremendous boost,'' Cremins said.
KEY STAT: Florida State coach Pat Kennedy says 3-point shooting is becoming one of the most decisive parts of a game.
``I would bet you that 90 percent of the time games are won by the team shooting the highest percentage from the 3-point line,'' Kennedy said.
DON'T ASK: The University of Maryland is telling media members requesting interviews with sophomore center Joe Smith not to ask him about his NBA future.
But coach Gary Williams is still willing to talk about it.
Williams says it would be better for Smith physically and socially to stay in college for at least one more season.
``The problem is there could be a lot of money out there for him. It's a shame that pull is out there,'' Williams said. by CNB