THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503050171
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Virginia's hope of grabbing a share of its first ACC title since 1983 is likely to hinge on containing Maryland All-American Joe Smith today in University Hall.
The Terps (23-5, 12-3) assured themselves of at least a share of their first regular-season title since 1980 with a 94-92 victory over Duke on Wednesday, when Smith supplied a career-high 40 points.
The sophomore center from Norfolk had 29 points, 21 rebounds, and seven blocked shots in a 71-62 win over the Cavaliers (20-7, 11-4) in College Park, Md., on Feb. 1.
``Smith clearly was the difference in that first game,'' Virginia coach Jeff Jones said.
``He is just a fantastic player and we have to find some way to do a much better job of containing him.''
Jones suggested the Cavaliers, whose weakest position is the pivot, may have to gang up on Maryland's 6-foot-10 center.
``We can't contain him with one guy,'' he said.
``It has to be a total team effort, and we have to adjust our defensive strategy to pay more attention to him, and hope we can do that without giving up too much to their other players.''
Jones realizes the sixth-ranked Terps have players, such as forward Keith Booth and guard Johnny Rhodes, to support Smith.
``They have guys who can penetrate, guys who can pass, guys who can shoot,'' Jones said.
``But they win games 15 feet and in, and against us in the first game it was about 7 or 8 feet and in. That is where the battle is going to be won or lost.''
The Cavaliers have won eight of their last nine games since losing to the Terps, and their only loss in that period was by three points last Sunday at Wake Forest.
``There have been times we haven't played well and found ways to win, whether it be just by hustling and getting loose balls or turning it on at the right time,'' Jones said.
``But that is one of the keys to having a good team - finding ways to win even when things are not going your way.''
Virginia's 11 league victories are its most since the 1982-83 team won 12 games to tie North Carolina for the regular-season title. by CNB