THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601180265
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
For the Virginia Cavaliers, it must have felt as if the second big snow storm of '96 swept through here Wednesday night.
Against North Carolina, U.Va. was hit with a flurry of rebounds, a blizzard of baskets and an accumulation of about a foot to 18 inches of frustration.
``The scene was set for a heckuva contest,'' a wistful U.Va. coach Jeff Jones said.
``Obviously,'' he added, after the Tar Heels' 67-53 victory, ``they exploited a number of our weaknesses.''
Once more, U.Va. showed a powerful weakness for the long jump shot.
The Cavaliers played as if icy conditions prevented them from driving. They launched shots that came down with icicles on them. Their touch from the perimeter suggested that they were dressed in mittens.
Quickly, U.Va. shooting percentages plunged into the low 30s, resulting in freezing conditions on the court and in the stands, where Cavaliers faithful sat on their hands.
``Overall,'' said Jones, ``we didn't seem to play with a whole lot of life. (North Carolina) took the crowd out of the game. They took the life out of us.''
What the Tar Heels did was steal every rebound, or at least so it seemed.
North Carolina, led by freshman Antawn Jamison's 20 boards, outrebounded the home team by 25. Of the Tar Heels' 57 rebounds, 24 came on the offensive glass.
``A couple of times,'' said Jones, ``they just kept shooting until they made it.''
More than a couple of times.
While the Cavaliers moved as if they were wearing snowchains on their sneakers, Dean Smith's players skated around them at will.
``It's a great win for us,'' said Smith, ``but we know that it's early.''
Not too early to understand that North Carolina is plenty good enough to win the ACC.
As it turns out, perhaps the biggest snow job in the East this winter were reports that accused North Carolina of being too young.
For sure, Smith's current edition does not rate with most of his teams of the past 15 years. Please, though, save your sympathy for someone else. Anyone with a little perspective knows that some NBA expansion franchises aren't as well stocked with gifted athletes as some of Deano's best squads have been.
Now, look around the ACC. Look around the country. With the level of play down all over, with experience a rare commodity in a lot of places, the Tar Heels can count on playing opponents who also suffer from a serious talent drain.
In Jamison, who led North Carolina with 16 points, Smith has a freshman who seems to know his strengths and limitations. His game is simple and effective. Pound the backboards. Take nothing but high-percentage shots.
Speaking of percentages, they do not seem to favor the Cavaliers, now 7-6 overall, 2-3 in the conference.
The long-range weather forecast calls for another blast of Arctic air headed U.Va.'s direction - three consecutive road games against Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Connecticut.
``We're looking for answers,'' Jones said.
And a warm place to hide. by CNB