Men's Basketball Prepares for Hampton

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November 25, 1998

Virginia vs. Hampton
November 25, 1998 – 6:00 p.m.
University Hall
Charlottesville, Va.

The Series vs. Hampton
This is the first meeting between Virginia and Hampton, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

The Cavaliers have played several MEAC schools in the recent past, with very good results, posting a 4-0 record.

Virginia defeated Howard 100-64 in 1992-93, and eeked out a 63-61 win over Coppin State in 1993-94. The Cavaliers defeated North Carolina A&T 94-50 and Bethune-Cookman 109-49 during the 1994-95 season. All four games were played at University Hall.

Virginia Opens Home Schedule Tonight
Virginia faces Hampton at University Hall in its home opener tonight. The Cavaliers have been very successful through the years in home openers, posting a 76-17 (.817) record.

Since moving into University Hall for the 1965-66 season, Virginia is 27-6 (.818).

Dawn of a New Era
The Pete Gillen Era is in its early stages at the University of Virginia. Gillen was named the Cavaliers’ head coach on March 28, 1998, replacing Jeff Jones, who resigned following last season. Gillen brings impressive coaching credentials to Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers are 2-2 this season and are playing an up-tempo brand of basketball, the likes of which have not been characteristic of Virginia hoops.

His career record in 14 seasons as a collegiate head coach is 276-130 (.680). Prior to coming to UVa, he coached at Providence College where he guided the Big East Conference school to a four-year record of 72-53. Two years ago he led the Friars to the NCAA’s Elite Eight where they lost in overtime to eventual national champion Arizona in the finals of the Southeast Regional. Under his direction, Providence competed in the NIT in 1995 and 1996.

Gillen’s success at Providence came on the heels of a remarkable nine-year stint as head coach at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. While there, he became the winningest coach in the school’s history with an overall record of 202-75.

Inheriting a program that made only two previous NCAA tournament appearances in the school’s history and never won an NCAA postseason game, Gillen led the small Catholic institution to unprecedented national success. The Musketeers participated in the NCAA Tournament seven times during Gillen’s tenure, reaching the Midwest Regional semifinals in 1990. Gillen was named Coach of the Year in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference five times as Xavier won six regular season conference championships and five conference tournament championships under his guidance.

Gillen is the ninth head coach in Virginia basketball history.

In-State Teams at University Hall
University Hall has gained a well-deserved reputation as a tough place to play, particularly for in-state schools. Old Dominion and Richmond (two wins each) are the only state schools with more than one win at University Hall.

Since University Hall opened on November 25, 1965, the Cavaliers have compiled a 65-7 (.903) record against state schools on the hardwood at U-Hall.

Virginia had won 42 consecutive home games against in-state teams before falling to Liberty 69-64 last season.

In all games against in-state opponents over the last 20 seasons the Cavaliers are 84-14 (.857).

Non-Conference Teams at University Hall
Virginia is 168-26 (.866) all-time in University Hall against non-conference opponents since the building opened for the 1965-66 season.

The Cavaliers have won 50 of their last 57 home games against non-conference opponents dating back to the 1989-90 season (basically this decade).

Lack of Depth Presents Problems
One area of concern for head coach Pete Gillen is the lack of depth of his Cavalier squad. The roster features just seven scholarship players (of whom only six are currently healthy) and seven walk-ons.

The problem was particularly evident this past weekend at the Top of the World Classic in Alaska.

In Friday’s first round game against Arkansas, Virginia built an early 10-point lead and led at halftime 46-43. UVa maintained the lead until midway through the second half, before the Razorbacks’ depth proved to be too much. Still, Virginia had a chance to win following two missed free throws by Arkansas. But Donald Hand missed a jumper in traffic with approximately 10 seconds left as the Cavaliers ultimately fell 85-83.

The following afternoon against Wisconsin, Virginia was really in a bind. Three starters became ill prior to the game (Willie Dersch, Kris Hunter, Chris Williams). Hunter missed the game entirely, while Dersch and Williams weren’t at full strength. Nonetheless, Virginia built a 10-point lead early in the second half before the Badgers’ superior size and depth prevailed down the stretch. The Cavaliers made only five field goals in the second half (four were three pointers), while shooting 22.7 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes, and lost 66-56.

The final game in Alaska against Washington State also proved to be a nailbiter. The Cavaliers held an 18-point lead seven minutes into the second half (50-32) before going scoreless for 11:02. Washington State used the UVa drought to go on a 15-point run to cut the lead to 50-47. Hand canned a huge three-pointer with 2:26 left to cut the Cougars’ momentum. The Cavaliers made nine free throws in a row in the final minute and a half to close out the tournament with a 62-53 win.

Virginia’s lack of depth was apparent throughout the tournament. The Cavaliers outscored their opponents 111-91 in the first half of the three games, but were outscored 113-90 in the second half. UVa also shot 48.8 percent from the field in the first half vs. 33.3 percent in the second.

Ducharme Undergoes Surgery for Broken Ankle
Center Colin Ducharme underwent successful surgery on his broken left ankle on November 17. Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank C. McCue III performed the surgery at the Virginia Ambulatory Surgical Center in Charlottesville.

McCue inserted a plate and screws to stabilize the fracture and to immobilize the ankle joint which had been widened at the time of injury.

Ducharme’s ankle will remain in a cast for several weeks and may require further immobilization for up to six weeks, according to McCue.

Ducharme broke his left ankle when he slipped on wet steps while walking in Charlottesville on November 15. The junior from Richmond, Va., will be out of action indefinitely.

He scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in the Cavaliers’ 86-70 season opening win over Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Losing Colin Ducharme indefinitely is a tremendous blow to our basketball team,” said UVa head coach Pete Gillen. “I feel very badly for Colin and his teammates that he’s suffered this injury. I know he’ll do the best he can in rehabilitation and get back as quickly as possible.

Character Builders
The last few months have certainly been character builders for head coach Pete Gillen, his staff and the Cavaliers. Perhaps that’s what you can expect when you open the season on Friday the 13th.

First Gillen had a roster that included just seven scholarship players for this season and two of the players were incoming freshmen. A tryout was held in October to add enough players to fill out the roster.

Then in mid-August University Hall was closed for approximately two months for structural repairs. The repairs forced the team to begin its preseason practice at an on-Grounds recreation center.

Two days after the season opener, starting center Colin Ducharme slipped on some wet steps and broke his ankle. He has since had surgery and is out for an indefinite time.

The recent trip to Alaska for the Top of the World Classic presented the most recent bit of bad news. Three Cavaliers, Willie Dersch, Kris Hunter and Chris Williams, became ill shortly after UVa’s first round loss to Arkansas and had to be hospitalized. Hunter missed Saturday’s game against Wisconsin, while Dersch and Williams played but were not at full strength.

Hall Leads Virginia vs. Wisconsin
Freshman swingman Adam Hall was the third Cavalier in as many games to lead Virginia in scoring during this young season. Hall, who scored 19 points in the first round of the Top of the World Classic against Arkansas, was pressed into the starting line-up Saturday in Chris Williams’ place following Williams’ illness. The rookie from Katy, Texas, responded with 21 points, hitting six of 12 shots from the field.

He is third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.2 ppg. Hall is the leading shooter, connecting on 55.2 percent of his field goal attempts.

Four Reach Double Figures in Opener
Four Cavaliers scored in double figures in the season opener against VCU, an 86-70 Virginia win.

Donald Hand led the way with a career-high 24 points, while Chris Williams poured in 20 points in his collegiate debut. Chezley Watson tossed in 13 points and Willie Dersch chipped in with 12 points.

Led by Norman Nolan inside and Curtis Staples outside, Virginia was primarily a two-man offense last season. UVa had only four games (all wins) last season with four players in double figures (none with more than four).

Already this season Virginia has had at least four double figure scorers twice (including five against Arkansas).

Double Double in Debut
Freshman Chris Williams scored 20 points and yanked down 10 rebounds to become only the second freshman in Virginia history since the restoration of freshman eligibility in 1972-73 to record a double double in the first game of his career.

He joins Scott Johnson as the only Cavalier rookie to accomplish this feat. Johnson scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 27 minutes in the 1995-96 season opener against Tennessee-Martin.

Williams also became the second Cavalier since the restoration of freshman eligibility in 1972-73 to score at least 20 points in the first game of his career. Jeff Lamp scored 24 in his debut against James Madison in 1977-78.

The performances of several notable Cavaliers in their college debuts are listed below.

Who?            Opp./Yr.            Pts.    Rebs.Junior Burrough W&M 91-92           17      6Bryant Stith    Dartmouth 88-89     12      6Olden Polynice  Lafayette 83-84     8       5Ralph Sampson   Johns Hopkins 79-80 17      8Jeff Lamp       James Madison 77-78 24      3Marc Iavaroni   W&L 74-75           14      9Wally Walker    WFU 72-73           7       3

Everybody Chips In
With a roster that features just seven scholarship players (only six are healthy right now), it stands to reason that the Cavaliers need everybody to contribute. So far that’s been the case as Virginia had a different player lead the team in scoring in the first three games and nobody leading in consecutive games.

Donald Hand poured in a career-high 24 points in the opener against Virginia Commonwealth, while Chezley Watson’s career-high 21 points led UVa vs. Arkansas.

Freshman Adam Hall added his name to the list by scoring 21 points Saturday against Wisconsin. Hand returned to the leader’s spot with 23 points against Washington State.

The three different leading scorers is already as many as UVa had all of last season. Norman Nolan led 20 times, Curtis Staples nine and Colin Ducharme once.

Small Line-up Gets Outrebounded
With only seven scholarship players on the roster, the Cavaliers suffer from a sheer lack of numbers. The roster includes seven walk-on players, including five selected last month following a tryout from among the student body.

The Cavaliers feature only two players taller than 6-8 and both have been out of action lately forcing Pete Gillen to go to a small line-up. Starting center Colin Ducharme (6-9) is out indefinitely with a broken ankle, while his replacement, Kris Hunter (6-11), missed the Wisconsin game on Saturday due to illness.

Hunter’s absence forced Gillen to start walk-on Raleigh Harbour (6-8) at center against the Badgers. It was the first game of Harbour’s career.

Frequently operating with a small line-up, the Cavaliers have been out-rebounded so far this season by an average of 2.0 rebounds per game.

In UVa’s two losses in Alaska, the Cavaliers were out-rebounded by 21 boards.

In their two wins, UVa has out-rebounded the opposition by 13.

Walk-on Tryouts Held
With a roster that features just eight scholarship players (only seven can play) and two walk-ons, the Virginia coaching staff conducted tryouts among the UVa student body to round out the roster for the upcoming season. Approximately 40 candidates showed up for the open tryouts on October 20.

Five members of the student body survived a round of drills and interviews to make the team.

The quintet chosen following the tryout join sophomore Greg Lyons and freshman Cade Lemcke to give head coach Pete Gillen and his staff a total of seven walk-on players to use in game preparation.

Gillen readily concedes that playing time for these players may be limited. Josh Hare is expected to see the most action. He has played in every game (started vs. Wisconsin) and is averaging 20.5 minutes per game. He is averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Raleigh Harbour, a fifth-year student, was pressed into action due to Kris Hunter’s illness and started against Wisconsin. He played 14 minutes, but did not score. He did grab three rebounds.

Jason Dowling and Brandon Lloyd played near the end of the game against both Wisconsin and Washington State. Dowling scored a three-pointer vs. Wisconsin.

Local product Marcus Martin, a high school star at Western Albemarle, has not seen any action yet this season. He has been slowed recently by an injury.

The five successful walk-on candidates are listed below.

#  Name             Pos.    Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown5  Brandon Lloyd    G/F     6-4 184 Fr. Springfield, Va.21 Jason Dowling    G/F     6-2 191 Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y.22 Josh Hare        G       6-2 197 So. Vernon, Conn.25 Marcus Martin    F       6-5 218 Fr. Charlottesville, Va.55 Raleigh Harbour  F       6-8 217 Sr. Hinsdale, Ill.