DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711090244

SECTION: SPECIAL                 PAGE: Z4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 1997-98 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                   LENGTH:   75 lines

EXPECTATIONS FOR CAVS ARE LOW AND LOWER PLAYERS SAY LOSS OF TALENT WILL BE MADE UP IN TEAMWORK

The Virginia Cavaliers will have their share of challenges this season, but dealing with high expectations won't be one of them.

Expectations have rarely been lower. The Cavaliers were picked eighth by the ACC media, just a hair ahead of a bottomed-out Georgia Tech squad.

``That's actually a good thing,'' coach Jeff Jones said. ``It takes some pressure off, but we still have to win the games.''

How to do that? The Cavaliers lost two of last year's top scorers - Harold Deane to graduation and Courtney Alexander to off-court troubles. Deane was the team's point guard, Alexander its most talented player.

``The thing that sticks out is the lost points,'' Jones said. ``But maybe one of our talents, one of our skills, is playing as a unit.''

Virginia's players say they are relishing their underdog role. Go ahead and underestimate them. Although they lack overwhelming talent, the Cavaliers contend that they will make up for it with team chemistry.

``You can never tell how good a team like this is going to be until you actually see it on the court,'' center Colin Ducharme said. ``But I feel good about it.''

The key questions for the Cavaliers:

Where will Virginia turn for scoring?

Seniors Norman Nolan and Curtis Staples will be options one and two, although not necessarily in that order. Virginia has not had much luck getting the ball inside in recent years, where the 6-8, 250-pound Nolan is most effective.

Nolan has hurt his own cause by playing inconsistently. Jones said Nolan is in the best shape of his career, and is capable of blossoming the way Junior Burrough did as a senior in 1994-95.

``We're looking for Norman to step up and hopefully turn good into great,'' Jones said.

What can we expect from Staples?

More mid-range shooting, he says. More dribble penetration.

``A lot of people are going to expect what they've seen from me the last few years,'' said Staples, who has made his living as a 3-point specialist. ``They're going to be surprised.''

Who's the point guard?

Freshman Donald Hand appears to be the guy, although Jones has not ruled out sophomore Willie Dersch.

Hand was not heavily recruited by other ACC schools, but has been impressive in preseason drills.

``He can pass the ball, he's quick, he penetrates, plays good defense and he can really shoot it,'' Staples said.

Anything else?

``I'm really expecting a lot of out of Donald Hand,'' Staples said. ``I'm putting him on the hot seat.''

What about the other returning players?

Ducharme, a pleasant surprise last year, should hold down one of the inside spots. An effective rebounder and shot blocker, he's looking to score more this year.

So is Dersch, who came in with a reputation as a shooter, but took just 70 shots - and hit only 25 - in 28 games.

``Willie did not look to the basket last year,'' Jones said. ``He's got to be a threat.''

It would be nice if one of Virginia's other inside players - Chase Metheney, Kris Hunter and Craig McAndrew - could develop into a threat also. Metheney, the ACC's tallest player at 7-4, played his way out of the starting lineup last year, and was a non-factor by season's end.

What's the bottom line?

Virginia simply doesn't seem to have the offensive firepower to win many ACC games. Staples and Nolan can't do all the scoring. Unless some other players step forward, Virginia will live up - or down - to all those low expectations. ILLUSTRATION: FILE PHOTO

...Curtis Staples... KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION SUPPLEMENT BASKETBALL

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