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March 7, 2000
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia enters the 2000 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament asthe third seed with an overall record of 19-10 and a 9-7 record in the ACC.It’s the highest seed for the Cavaliers since they were seeded third in the1989 ACC Tournament. Virginia was the ninth seed in the tournament thelast two years and lost to Duke in the opening round each year.
Virginia plays North Carolina State (16-11 overall, 6-10 ACC) at7:00 p.m. on Friday (March 10) in the tournament quarterfinals. UVa is20-24 in quarterfinal games in the ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers are 2-9in ACC Tournament action against North Carolina State, including a 2-4record in quarterfinal games. UVa has not played the Wolfpack in the ACCTournament since beating State 64-62 in the quarterfinals of the 1986tournament.
Virginia has lost its opening game in the ACC Tournament the lastfour years.
Picked Seventh, Finish Third
Virginia was picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic CoastConference in 1999-2000 by media attending the annual Atlantic CoastConference Operation Basketball event in Greensboro, N.C., in October. TheCavaliers did far better than predicted as they finished tied for third inthe conference standings with North Carolina. Both teams compiled 9-7conference records, but Virginia is seeded third in the ACC Tournament byvirtue of its two victories over the Tar Heels during the regular season.UVa jumped to third in the conference standings this season after finishingninth the last two years.
The Series vs. N.C. State
North Carolina State leads the overall series with Virginia 68-48,but the Cavaliers have won 14 of 18 contests in the last nine seasons.Since 1980, the Cavaliers are 31-14 in all games against the Wolfpack.
The teams split the regular season series with each team winning onits home floor. It marked the third season in a row that UVa and NCSU havesplit the regular season series. N.C. State won the first meeting thisseason, 65-62, in Raleigh on January 12. The Cavaliers evened the seasonseries with an 88-82 win in Charlottesville on February 12.
The Cavaliers are 2-9 in the ACC Tournament against N.C. State,including a 2-4 record in quarterfinal games. UVa has not played theWolfpack in the ACC Tournament since beating State 64-62 in thequarterfinals of the 1986 tournament.
Stopping the ‘Pack Offense Leads to Wins
Virginia has been known as one of the best defensive teams in thenation for the last quarter of a century. The Cavaliers’ defensive prowesshas been particularly evident since the 1989-90 season as they have won 16of 22 meetings with N.C. State. The Wolfpack have shot just 41.7 percentfrom the field, and averaged 68.1 points per game over the last 11 seasons.
State shot 58.0 percent from the field in its victory over Virginialast season. That marked the second game in a row the Wolfpack shot 50percent or better vs. the Cavaliers, but only the third time in the 1990sthey did so.
A look at N.C. State’s field goal shooting and points scored againstVirginia since the 1989-90 season is below.
| Year | Site | FGM | FGA | Pct. | Pts. |
| 1989-90 | NCSU | 33 | 62 | 53.2 | 84 |
| UVa | 26 | 69 | 37.7 | 71 | |
| 1990-91 | UVa | 27 | 59 | 45.8 | 72 |
| NCSU | 28 | 58 | 48.3 | 83 | |
| 1991-92 | NCSU | 24 | 66 | 36.4 | 69 |
| UVa | 26 | 62 | 41.9 | 68 | |
| 1992-93 | NCSU | 19 | 64 | 29.7 | 56 |
| UVa | 28 | 62 | 45.2 | 66 | |
| 1993-94 | UVa | 21 | 68 | 30.9 | 58 |
| NCSU | 25 | 53 | 47.2 | 67 | |
| 1994-95 | NCSU | 24 | 65 | 36.9 | 65 |
| UVa | 24 | 62 | 38.7 | 55 | |
| 1995-96 | UVa | 25 | 77 | 32.5 | 69 |
| NCSU | 26 | 61 | 42.6 | 82 | |
| 1996-97 | UVa | 20 | 44 | 45.5 | 50 |
| NCSU | 15 | 39 | 38.5 | 46 | |
| 1997-98 | UVa | 17 | 49 | 34.7 | 56 |
| NCSU | 25 | 50 | 50.0 | 74 | |
| 1998-99 | NCSU | 29 | 50 | 58.0 | 82 |
| UVa | 25 | 59 | 42.4 | 79 | |
| 1999-00 | NCSU | 25 | 52 | 48.1 | 65 |
| UVa | 30 | 68 | 44.1 | 82 |
| UVa Wins since 1989-90 | 38.7 | 65.3 |
| UVa Losses since 1989-90 | 50.8 | 75.8 |
| overall since 1989-90 | 41.7 | 68.1 |
Nine Conference Wins
Virginia’s 89-87 overtime victory at home over Maryland on March 4is the ninth Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the season for theCavaliers. UVa’s nine conference wins are the most for the Cavaliers sincethey won 12 conference games and tied for the ACC regular-seasonchampionship during the 1994-95 season. Virginia won four conference gameslast season and three during the 1997-98 season.
Cavaliers and Wolfpack Battle to the Wire
The history of the series between these two schools since the late1970s has been one marked by many closely contested games. Since 1978, 36of the 50 games have been decided by less than 10 points. UVa is 25-11(.694) in those games.
Virginia’s last seven wins (going back five seasons) over theWolfpack have been by a combined 33 points (4.7/g).
Since 1978, four games have been decided by one point, five by twopoints, six by three points, three by four points and three by five points.
It’s curious to note in the long history of the series going backto the first meeting 87 years ago that only three games have gone toovertime. Virginia has been victorious in all three overtime contests. UVawon the first overtime game 81-73 in 1977-78 and won 84-82 in doubleovertime in 1995-96. In the most recent overtime affair, the Cavaliers won82-79 last season. During one stretch (1985-1988) nine consecutive gameswere decided by nine points or less.
In a bit of an aberration, three of the last four N.C. State winsin the series have been by double digits-67-54 in 1994, 74-55 in 1998 and82-72 in 1999. The exception was a 65-62 Wolfpack win this season (Jan.12).
Winning Season Assured
UVa’s 88-82 victory over N.C. State on February 12 assured theCavaliers their first winning season since the 1996-97 team compiled anoverall record of 18-13. Virginia is currently 19-10 overall.
Watson Among ACC Rookie Leaders
Freshman forward/center Travis Watson is one of the leaders amongfreshmen in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season in a number ofstatistical categories and has been an impact player for the Cavaliers.Through games of March 4, Watson ranks first among ACC freshmen indefensive rebounds (157), offensive rebounds (83), total rebounds (240, 8.3rpg.), double-doubles (7) and blocked shots (28). He is second in fieldgoal percentage (minimum of 50 attempts, 53.8 percent, 129-240), and fourthin field goals made (129), points scored (328) and scoring average (11.3ppg.). He ranks sixth among ACC freshmen in minutes played (28.0 mpg.).
Watson has started 28 of Virginia’s 29 games and has provded the Cavalierswith an inside presence despite being the shortest player playing center inthe conference this season.
UVa and N.C. State Split Regular Season Meetings
Virginia and North Carolina State split the two regular seasonmeetings in 1999-2000 with each team winning on its home floor.
In the first meeting in Raleigh on January 12, the Cavaliers’comeback fell just short in a 65-62 loss to N.C. State. A three-pointer bysophomore forward Chris Williams tied the game at 61-61 with 2:25 left, butthe Wolfpack held UVa to just one point, while scoring four, in the finaltwo minutes to seal the win.
Virginia trailed 54-45 with 7:17 left, but used a 16-7 run cappedoff by Williams’ three-pointer to tie the game at 61-61. Williams andfreshman guard Roger Mason each had five points in the run, while juniorguard Donald Hand converted all four of his free throws. N.C. State tookthe lead for good on a dunk by Kenny Inge with 1:34 to play.
Hand led all scorers with 17 points, while Williams added 13.Freshman forward/center Travis Watson notched his fifth double-double ofthe season with 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Junior guard KeithFriel rounded out UVa’s double digit scorers with 10 points.
Damien Wilkins paced the Wolfpack with 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Cavaliers evened the season series with an 88-82 victory inCharlottesville on February 12. The win ended a three-game UVa losingstreak. It also marked the Cavaliers’ 12th consecutive victory over theWolfpack at University Hall.
Freshman center/forward Travis Watson scored a career-high 20points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Virginia to the 88-82 victory. Thedouble-double in points and rebounds was the sixth of the season forWatson. He led five Virginia players in double figure scoring. Handscored 17 points, all of them in the second half, while Williams had 14points and eight rebounds. Friel added 13 points and sophomore guard AdamHall scored 11 points.
The Cavaliers trailed by five points (37-32) at halftime, butscored 56 points in the second half to overtake the Wolfpack. UVa went onan 11-2 run early in the second half to take a 47-43 lead with 16:00 leftin the game. State rallied to lead 66-65 with 6:07 left, but Virginiaout-scored the Wolfpack 13-2 over the next 4:15 to take a 78-68 lead with1:52 left to play. The Cavaliers then hung on for the victory as N.C.State closed to within 84-82 with 16.6 seconds left in the game. Hand andMason each made two free throws in the closing seconds for the final marginof victory.
Inge led N.C. State with 25 points.
1,000 Career Points
Junior guard Donald Hand became the 33rd Virginia men’s basketballplayer to reach the 1,000-point milestone when he scored 27 points againstDuke (Feb. 5). He entered the game with 982 points and scored his 1,000thcareer point on a jumper with 11:21 to play in the second half. Handcurrently has scored 1,092 career points. He ranks 30th on UVa’s all-timescoring list.
Prior to Hand, the last UVa player to score 1,000 career points wasNorman Nolan and he accomplished the feat in the 1997-98 season.
Cavaliers Jump From Ninth to Third
With its 76-67 victory over Wake Forest (Jan. 30), Virginiasurpassed its number of overall and Atlantic Coast Conference wins fromlast season. The Cavaliers were 14-16 overall and 4-12 in the ACC in the1998-99 season. UVa finished the 1999-2000 regular season with a 19-10overall record and a 9-7 record in the ACC.
Virginia finished tied for third in the ACC this season and is thethird seed for the ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers finished ninth in theconference standing the last two years.
Best Record Since 1994-95
Virginia’s 19-10 record after 29 games is the Cavaliers’ best atthis point of the season since the Cavaliers were 22-7 after 29 games in1994-95. The 1994-95 team finished the season with an overall record of25-9 after advancing to the Midwest Region finals of the NCAA Tournament.
UVa was 15-5 after 20 games this season, the best 20-game startsince Virginia’s 1992-93 team also started 15-5.
Nine Conference Wins
Virginia’s 89-87 overtime victory at home over Maryland on March 4is the ninth Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the season for theCavaliers. UVa’s nine conference wins are the most for the Cavaliers sincethey won 12 conference games and tied for the ACC regular-seasonchampionship during the 1994-95 season. Virginia won four conference gameslast season and three during the 1997-98 season.
Four Consecutive ACC Wins
The Cavaliers had a four-game ACC winning streak stopped with a91-79 loss at Maryland (Feb. 2). It marked Virginia’s first four-gameconference winning streak since the 1994-95 season when the Cavaliersposted six consecutive wins. The six straight wins came over: FloridaState (76-63 OT), N.C. State (65-55), Clemson (62-44), Duke (64-58), NorthCarolina (73-71), and Georgia Tech (83-60).
Virginia’s 71-64 loss at Florida State (Feb. 26) stopped athree-game conference winning streak for the Cavaliers. UVa had won threeconsecutive ACC games with victories at home over N.C. State (Feb. 12) andClemson (Feb. 15), and at North Carolina (Feb. 20).
Two Five-game Winning Streaks
Twice this season the Cavaliers have posted five-game winningstreaks. Virginia’s most recent five-game winning streak was snapped witha 91-79 loss at Maryland (Feb. 2), while Duke halted the first five-gamewinning streak with a 109-100 overtime win at University Hall (Jan. 5).
The five-game winning streaks are the Cavaliers’ longest sincewinning seven consecutive games in the middle of the 1994-95 season.
UVa has won 15 of its last 22 games.
Back-to-Back Road Wins
In addition to their five-game overall winning streak and four-gameACC winning streak, the Cavaliers had their two-game road conferencewinning streak snapped by Maryland on February 2.
With its wins over Clemson (Jan. 15) and Wake Forest (Jan. 30),Virginia had won back-to-back ACC road games for the first time since the1995-96 season. In the 1995-96 campaign, the Cavaliers posted consecutiveroad wins over Florida State (64-59) and N.C. State (84-82 2 OT).
300 Wins
Virginia head coach Pete Gillen won the 300th game of his careerwhen Virginia defeated then 21st-ranked North Carolina 87-85 on January 18at University Hall. Gillen entered the 1999-2000 season 24th on thewinningest active coaches list. He is in his 15th season as a collegiatehead coach and sports a 307-154 record for a .666 winning percentage.Gillen is in his second year as head coach at Virginia. His two Virginiateams have compiled an overall record of 33-26.
Gillen has led his teams to postseason play 11 times (eight NCAA,three NIT). He has been selected as the conference Coach of the Year fivetimes – all while coaching Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate Conference).
He successfully began his coaching career at Virginia with an 86-70win over Virginia Commonwealth on November 13, 1998.
Shooting and Scoring
Virginia is currently scoring an average of 81.0 points a game andshooting 45.5 percent (821-1803) from the field through 29 games thisseason. If those figures were to remain the same through the end of theseason, it would be UVa’s best scoring average since the 1990-91 season(81.9 ppg.) and the Cavaliers’ best field goal percentage since the 1990-91season (45.5 percent, 904-1987).
UVa ranks second in the ACC in scoring and fourth in field goalpercentage this season through games of March 4.
Tough Stretch
On February 9, Virginia concluded a tough stretch in which theCavaliers played four consecutive ACC road games. It marked the first timesince the 1996-97 season that an ACC team played four consecutive roadgames. Maryland was the last team to play four straight conference roadgames and it went 1-3 in that stretch during the 1996-97 season.
The Cavaliers got off to a great start in their four-game roadstretch with a 76-67 victory at Wake Forest (Jan. 30). Virginia droppedits next three games to finish 1-3. Included in the three losses were twoto nationally-ranked teams. The Cavaliers fell to 25th-ranked Maryland(Feb. 2) 91-79, a loss that ended a five-game Virginia winning streak. UValost to third-ranked Duke 106-86 (Feb. 5). The Cavaliers’ concluded thefour-game road trip with a 68-47 loss to Georgia Tech (Feb. 9).
UVa returned home to register victories over N.C. State (88-82,Feb. 12) and Clemson (76-62, Feb. 15), and then won 90-76 on the road atNorth Carolina (Feb. 20). After a 71-64 loss at Florida State (Feb. 26)and an 80-75 loss at home to Wake Forest (March 2), the Cavaliers defeatedMaryland (March 4) 89-87 in overtime at University Hall. Virginia finishedthe regular season with an overall record of 19-10, a 9-7 record in the ACCand an 11-2 record at home.
10-3 vs. Non-Conference Teams
With its 71-66 overtime win over Virginia Tech (Jan. 24), Virginiaconcluded regular season non-conference play with a 10-3 record. TheCavaliers won their last six non-conference games this season. UVa wasalso 4-0 vs. in-state opponents and stretched its winning streak to10-consecutive games against in-state schools. UVa’s most recent in-stateloss was a 69-64 setback to Liberty in U-Hall in the 1997-98 season.
In their 10 non-conference wins, the Cavaliers were able to get out andrun, putting on some very impressive offensive performances. In the 10wins, UVa averaged 86.8 points per game and shot 50.4 percent from thefield (309-613). Virginia also out-rebounded its opponents by nearly fiverebounds per game (40.0-35.2). In the three non-conference losses,Virginia averaged only 65.3 points per game. The Cavaliers shot only 42.0percent (71-169) from the field in the three losses. UVa was alsoout-rebounded by an average of six per game (40-34) in those three games.
Tough Going on the Boards
The Cavaliers have improved their rebounding significantly fromlast year, but are still being out-rebounded by their opponents in the1999-2000 season.
In the 1998-99 season, Virginia was out-rebounded 40.0 to 33.1 inall games and 41.5 to 31.1 in ACC contests. This season, the Cavaliershave closed the gap quite a bit, but are still being out-rebounded by theopposition. In all games, UVa is being out-rebounded 38.1 to 36.2 but thatmargin increases to 39.6 to 34.2 in ACC contests.
Virginia has out-rebounded its opponent in 11 of 29 games thisseason, and only three times in the past 14 outings (Virginia Tech, 34-33on Jan. 24, North Carolina State, 48-40 on Feb. 12, and Maryland, 41-36 onMarch 4). In 16 ACC games, the Cavaliers have held a rebounding edge onlyfour times, against Duke (Jan. 5, 46-44), N.C. State twice (36-30 on Jan.12 and 48-40 on Feb. 12), and Maryland (March 4, 41-36). In the 12 ACCgames Virginia has been out-rebounded, the Cavaliers are 7-5. They are 2-2in ACC games where they hold a rebounding advantage. Overall, UVa is 10-8when it is out-rebounded this season.
ACC Start
The Cavaliers’ 5-2 start in the ACC this season marked their beststart in conference play since the 1994-95 season when they began theconference slate with a 5-2 record. UVa finished the 1999-2000 regularseason with a 9-7 conference record. The 1994-95 UVa team was 12-4 in theACC at the end of the regular season.
Scoring Off the Bench
Much of Virginia’s improvement in the 1999-2000 season over lastyear can be attributed to being able to substitute scholarship players offthe bench.
Last season, UVa averaged 12.4 points of bench scoring per gamecompared to 25.8 points this season. Last year, Virginia received 373points from the bench in 30 games and in 29 games this year, the Cavaliershave scored 747 points off the bench.
In the 1999-2000 season, Virginia’s bench has outscored itsopponents 747-495 or 25.8 ppg. to 17.1 ppg. UVa’s bench accounts for 31.8percent of the Cavaliers’ offense, while opponent benches contribute 23.1percent of the points.
In 16 ACC games this season, Virginia’s bench has outscored theopposition 361-268 or 22.6 ppg. to 16.8 ppg. The Cavalier bench isresponsible for 28.1 percent of the offense as opposed to 20.8 percent byopponents. In its first ACC win, Virginia’s bench outscored Georgia Tech’s22-3. Another great example of the importance of UVa’s bench is that inits 98-91 win at Clemson (Jan. 15), the Cavaliers’ final 14 points of thefirst half were scored by players off the bench. The bench turned a 36-27lead with 5:54 to play into a 50-32 halftime advantage. For the game,Virginia’s bench outscored Clemson’s 35-9.
UVa has scored at least 20 points off the bench in all but sevengames. Virginia scored a season-low nine points off the bench againstClemson (Feb. 15), and tallied 10 points against Georgia Tech (Feb. 9) and15 points against Duke (Feb. 5). Against St. John’s (Dec. 4), Richmond(Dec. 21) and Wake Forest (March 2), the Cavalier bench scored 16 points.UVa received 17 bench points against N.C. State (Jan. 12). The high watermark for bench scoring in 1999-2000 is 47 points against Elon (Nov. 19).
Only five times has the UVa bench been outscored by an opponent’sthis season. Richmond’s (Dec. 21) bench outscored UVa’s bench 22-16, andWake Forest (Jan. 30) outscored the Cavaliers 23-22 in bench scoring.GeorgiaTech (Feb. 9) held a 17-10 edge in bench scoring and Clemson’s (Feb. 15)bench outscored UVa’s 23-9. Wake Forest’s bench outscored Virginia’s againon March 2, 27-16.
In addition, the Cavaliers have had 27 double digit performancesoff the bench this season. Virginia has had at least one player score indouble figures off the bench in 22 of 29 games this season. On fouroccasions, UVa has had at least two players in double figures off thebench, including a season-best three players with 10 or more points againstElon (Nov. 19) in the season opener.
Five Consecutive Home Wins
Virginia’s loss to Duke on January 5 in University Hall snappedUVa’s five-game home winning streak. The streak was the longest to start ahome season since the 1992-93 season when the Cavaliers won eight straighthome games.
Virginia is 11-2 at home this season and has had two five-gamewinning streaks at University Hall. UVa’s two five-game home winningstreaks this season are the longest since the Cavaliers’ won 10 consecutivehome games during the 1996-97 season. Virginia’s latest five-game homewinning streak was stopped by an 80-75 loss to Wake Forest on March 2.
Forcing Turnovers
The Cavaliers have forced their opponents into 20 or more turnoversin 16 of 29 games this season. The Cavaliers are 12-4 when opponents turnthe ball over 20 or more times in a game. Virginia is 16-5 when opponentshave 18 or more turnovers. UVa’s opponents are averaging 19.7 turnoversper game (571 in 29 games) in 1999-2000. In ACC play, the opposition hasaveraged 18.9 turnovers per game (302 in 16 games).
Lucky 13
The Cavaliers set a season high by making 13 three-point fieldgoals in 23 attempts in their 83-65 victory over Georgia Tech (Jan. 8).UVa’s percentage of three-pointers made (56.5 percent) is also a seasonhigh. The 13 threes ties for the sixth most ever made in a game by theCavaliers. Virginia also made 13 three-pointers against Elon (11/28/98)and Loyola (12/30/98).
The 13 of 23 three-point performance by Virginia is its highestpercentage of three-pointers made in a game when attempting at least 20three-point field goals. UVa has attempted 20 or more three-pointers in agame 107 times over the years.
The Virginia school record for threes in a game is 15, accomplishedagainst North Carolina (2/14/90) and Hampton (11/25/98).
UVa made 12 three-point field goals against Clemson (Jan. 15).Twice this season the Cavaliers made 11 threes in a game. UVa made 11three-pointers against Loyola (Dec. 8) and Belmont (Dec. 28).
Watson Adds Name to Record Book
With 16 rebounds against Duke (Jan. 5), freshman Travis Watson seta Virginia record for the most rebounds by a freshman in an ACC debut. Therebounding performance was also the best by a UVa freshman since RalphSampson set the single game school record for rebounds by a freshman with22 against Old Dominion (12/29/79). In addition, Watson’s 16 rebounds arethe most in a game by a Virginia player since Norman Nolan grabbed 16against George Mason (11/22/97).
School Record for Three-pointers Attempted
Virginia set a school record when it attempted 38 three-point fieldgoals against Clemson (Jan. 15). The Cavaliers were successful on 12 oftheir 38 threes against the Tigers. The former mark was 32 threes againstNorth Carolina on two occasions (February 14, 1990 and March 7, 1997).
Among the NCAA Statistical Leaders
Virginia is ranked among the NCAA leaders as a team in scoringoffense. The NCAA statistics reflect games played through February 28.
The Cavaliers are ranked 14th in scoring offense with an average of81.0 points per game.
Good Defense Against the Tar Heels
North Carolina entered its February 20 game with Virginia leadingthe nation in field goal percentage. The Tar Heels were shooting 50.4percent as a team, but UVa limited North Carolina to 43.3 percent (26-60)shooting from the field and forced 16 turnovers.
Most Points By an Opposing Player
In the Cavaliers’ 98-91 victory at Clemson (Jan. 15), the Tigers’Will Solomon scored 43 points. Solomon’s performance tied for the fourthmost points ever scored by an opposing player against UVa. It was also themost points scored by an opponent since Bimbo Coles of Virginia Tech scored43 on January 25, 1989. Here’s a list of the top six scoring performancesagainst Virginia.
| 1. | Len Chappell | Wake Forest | 50 | 2/12/62 | |
| 2. | Dickie Hemric | Wake Forest | 49 | 12/11/54 | |
| 3. | Grady Wallace | South Carolina | 44 | 2/15/57 | |
| 4. | Reggie King | Alabama | 43 | 3/12/79 | |
| 4. | Bimbo Coles | Virginia Tech | 43 | 1/25/89 | |
| 4. | Will Solomon | Clemson | 43 | 1/15/00 |
Virginia Has Winning Record in ACC Despite Opponents’ Shooting
Virginia is 9-7 in the ACC despite being outshot from the field byits opponents 49.0 percent (449-917) to 43.2 percent (441-1021) in 16conference games. Virginia has been outshot in 11 of 16 conference games,but has still managed to win four of those games in which it has beenoutshot. The only games in which UVa has outshot the ACC opposition areGeorgia Tech (Jan. 8), Wake Forest (Jan. 30), N.C. State (Feb. 12 ),Clemson (Feb.15) and North Carolina (Feb.20). Virginia won all five ofthose games. The Cavaliers held a 45.2 percent (28-62) to 40.8percent (20-49) advantage in the first Georgia Tech game. Against WakeForest, UVa held a 48.4 to 45.6 percent shooting edge in that victory. Inthe N.C. State game on Feb. 12, Virginia shot 44.9 percent to 44.1 percentfor the Wolfpack. Against Clemson on Feb. 15, UVa outshot the Tigers 45.1percent to 37.5 percent, and the Cavaliers outshot North Carolina 44.9percent to 43.3 percent on Feb. 20.
Warming Up From Long Range
In its last 22 games, Virginia has heated up from three-pointrange, as it has made 166 three-point field goals in 472 attempts for 35.2percent. The percentage of three-pointers made has improved dramatically,especially when you consider what the Cavaliers were shooting beyond thearc in the first seven games (26.6 percent, 33-124). In the first sevengames, UVa made 4.7 threes per game, compared to 7.5 per outing in the last22 contests.
Overall, UVa is shooting 33.4 percent (199-596) from three-pointrange. The Cavaliers have made 10 or more three-point field goals in agame six times this season. Virginia made a season-high 13 three-pointfield goals against Georgia Tech (Jan. 8).
Eleven different players have made three-pointers this season.
School Record Pace for Steals
The Cavaliers need five steals to establish a new school record forsteals in a season. Last year, Virginia posted an all-time best 257 stealsfor an average of 8.6 per game. UVa currently has 253 steals, an averageof 8.7 steals per game.
On five different occasions this season, Virginia has registered 15steals in a game, which ties for 11th place on UVa’s single game stealslist.
Changes in Virginia’s Starting Lineup
Virginia head coach Pete Gillen has used eight different startinglineups and has had a total of 10 different players start in the Cavaliers’29 games during the 1999-2000 season. Virginia is 6-2 in games this seasonwith new starting lineups. No player has started every game for theCavaliers this season.
UVa opened the season with junior Stephane Dondon and sophomoreChris Williams at forward, and junior Colin Ducharme at center. JuniorDonald Hand and sophomore Adam Hall started in the backcourt. In the secondgame, a 98-57 triumph over VMI, Gillen started freshman Travis Watson atcenter instead of Ducharme. With the same starting lineup in the thirdgame of the season against South Carolina, the Cavaliers suffered a 73-71setback.
Gillen changed his starting lineup against Providence and itresulted in an 80-64 victory. Hall, Williams and Watson remained in thestarting lineup, but junior guard Keith Friel and freshman guard MajesticMapp started in place of Hand and Dondon. The Cavaliers used their fourthdifferent starting combination against Arizona State (Hall, Williams,Watson, Mapp and Hand) and came away with a 70-64 victory.
In a 74-62 loss at Minnesota in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge onNovember 30, Virginia started senior Willie Dersch, Ducharme, Hall, Handand Watson. UVa started its sixth different lineup against St. John’s (Dec.4) when freshman Roger Mason, Hall, Hand, Watson and Williams were in thestarting lineup.
Gillen used his seventh different starting lineup in a 98-67 winover Loyola (Dec. 8). Dersch and Williams started at forward with Watson atcenter. At the two guard positions, Hand and Hall received the startingnod. That lineup started eight consecutive games.
Against Clemson (Jan. 15), Gillen used his eighth differentstarting lineup. UVa’s lineup against the Tigers included Dersch,Williams, Watson, Hand and Mason.
Gillen used the lineup of Dersch, Williams, Watson, Hand and Hall13 times in a 14-game stretch.
Gillen altered the starting lineup against Duke (Feb. 5) bystarting Mason in place of Dersch. Hall, Williams, Watson and Hand roundedout the starting lineup. That lineup has started seven of the eight games.It is the same starting lineup used against St. John’s (Dec. 4).
Dersch returned to the starting lineup on Senior Night (March 4)against Maryland. Hand, Mason, Watson and Williams were the otherstarters, the same lineup that started against Clemson on January 15.
Cavaliers Set Season Highs Against Dartmouth
Virginia set season highs in three categories in its 89-50 win overDartmouth (Jan. 2). The Cavaliers shot an impressive 60.3 percent (35-58)from the field. The percentage is the highest since UVa shot 60.5 percent(23-38) against Wake Forest on February 24, 1996. Virginia’s previousseason high in 1999-2000 was 54.3 percent (38-70) vs. Hampton (Dec. 10).
The Cavaliers connected on 10 of 20 three-point attempts for aneven 50 percent against the Big Green to establish another season high.UVa has since topped that three-point percentage with an outstanding 56.5percent (13-23) performance against Georgia Tech (Jan. 8).
UVa blocked nine shots against Dartmouth for another season high.The previous season best was eight blocks against VMI (Nov. 21). The nineblocked shots ties for the 14th best single game total in school history.
Shooting Well
The Cavaliers are shooting 45.5 percent (821-1803) from the fieldin the 1999-2000 season. If you subtract UVa’s three-point field goalshooting (33.4 percent, 199-596), the Cavaliers are hitting an outstanding51.5 percent (622-1207) from the floor.
Virginia is fourth in the ACC in field goal percentage throughgames played March 4.
Virginia has shot 50 percent or better from the field in five of 29games this season. UVa has shot 45 percent or better in 17 games.
Three Players Score 20 Points vs. Duke
In the Cavaliers’ 109-100 overtime loss to Duke (Jan. 5), UVa hadthree players score 20 or more points. Sophomore forward Chris Williamsled the way with 27, while freshman guard Roger Mason tallied a career-high22 points. Junior guard Donald Hand rounded out the trio with 20 points.It marked the first time since the 1994-95 season that Virginia had threeplayers score 20 or more points in the same game.
Oddly enough, the previous occasion that three UVa playerssurpassed the 20-point plateau was against Duke in a 91-88 overtime victoryin Durham on January 14, 1995. Junior Burrough (23), Cory Alexander (22)and Harold Deane (22) were the three players that combined to accomplishthe feat.
Season Lows
The Cavaliers set season lows in several statistical categories intheir 68-47 loss at Georgia Tech (Feb. 9). In the loss to the YellowJackets, Virginia set season lows for points (47), field goals made (16),field goal percentage (27.6 percent), three-point field goal percentage(10.5 percent) and equalled the season low for three-pointers made (2).
The Cavaliers’ 47 points against Georgia Tech is just the 13th timesince the advent of the shot clock in the 1985-86 season that Virginia hasscored fewer than 50 points in a game. It also tied for the seventh lowestpoint total by UVa since 1985-86. The last time the Cavaliers scored asfew as 47 points in a game was in a 71-47 loss at North Carolina (Jan. 21,1999).
The previous low for points in a game this season was 62 vs. N.C.State (Jan. 12) and Minnesota (Nov. 30).
The 16 made field goals surpasses the previous 1999-2000 season lowof 17 against N.C. State (Jan. 12). The 16 field goals also ties for the17th fewest field goals made in a game.
The Cavaliers’ field goal percentage of 27.6 percent (16-58) is the12th lowest ever and the lowest since UVa shot 17-62 for 27.4 percent lastseason against Duke (Feb. 11, 1999). The previous season low was 36.4percent (24-66) against Minnesota (Nov. 30).
Virginia was 2-19 from three-point range and that performance tiesfor the 25th lowest percentage. It marked UVa’s worst three-point shootingcontest since the 1997-98 season when it connected on one of 14 attemptsagainst Liberty (Jan. 7). The previous 1999-00 season low was 18.2 percent(2-11) against VMI (Nov. 21).
By making just two three-pointers, the Cavaliers also equalledtheir season low which was originally set against VMI (Nov. 21).
Two Teams Reach Triple Digits
When Virginia (100) and Duke (109) reached triple digits on January5, it marked the first home contest in the history of Virginia men’sbasketball that both teams scored 100 or more points in the same game.
Virginia’s 128-98 home victory over George Mason in the 1994-95season was the closest both teams had come to scoring 100-plus points inthe same game.
The 100-point output by UVa against Duke was also the first time ithas scored 100 points in an ACC game since a 100-82 triumph over Clemson inthe 1992-93 season.
Williams Named ACC Player of the Week
Sophomore forward Chris Williams was the ACC Player of the Week forhis performance in Virginia’s victories over Belmont (Dec. 28) andDartmouth (Jan. 2). Williams scored 44 points, grabbed nine rebounds andshot 70.4 percent (19-27) from the field in the two games.
Williams has broken out of an early season scoringslump and is averaging 16.2 points per game over the last 23 games (373points). During the 23-game stretch, Williams is shooting 52.5 percent(136-259) from the floor. He has made 75 of 107 free throws (70.1 percent)in the last 23 games. Williams, the 1998-99 ACC Rookie of the Year, isalso averaging 6.1 rebounds (141), 2.0 assists (47), and 1.6 steals (36) agame during the 23-game stretch.
After going six games without making a three-point field goal(0-9), Williams has made 24 of 52 attempts (46.2 percent) from beyond thearc in the last 16 contests. Overall, he is 30-81 (37.0 percent) fromthree-point range.
Williams has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games. Hehas reached double digits in 20 of his last 21 games.
On the season, Williams is first on the team in scoring at 15.3points per game (11th in the ACC) and is second in field goal percentage(52.4 percent, fourth in the ACC). He is first on the team in steals (47)and is second in rebounding (6.1 rpg.). In ACC games only, Williams isninth in the conference in scoring (16.2 ppg.).
As a freshman in 1998-99, Williams averaged 16.8 points and 7.5rebounds per game.
Hand Named ACC Co-Player of the Week
Junior guard Donald Hand was named the ACC Co-Player of the Weekafter helping lead the Cavaliers to wins over Virginia Tech (Jan. 24),Florida State (Jan. 26) and Wake Forest (Jan. 30).
In the three games, Hand scored 60 points and connected on 18 of 39attempts from the field (46.2 percent). He also recorded 11 assists.
Hand scored a game-high 21 points, which included an 11 of 13effort from the free throw line, in Virginia’s 71-66 overtime win overVirginia Tech in Richmond, Va. Hand scored a season-high 28 points inUVa’s 86-81 win over Florida State at University Hall. He made eight of 14attempts from the floor, including four of eight from three-point range,and made eight of nine free throws. Hand rounded out the week with an11-point, five-assist performance in the Cavaliers’ 76-67 win at WakeForest.
Earlier this season, Hand was named to the All-Tournament team atthe Puerto Rico Shootout after averaging 19.3 points in three contests. Hewas 20 of 28 (71.4 percent) from the free throw line, including a 14 of 17effort against Providence. Hand scored 26 points in the win over PC. UVafinished fifth in the eight-team tournament.
Hand”ing” Out Assists
Junior guard Donald Hand has moved into eighth place on Virginia’sall-time assist list with 347 in his career. Barry Parkhill (1971-73) isseventh with 369. John Crotty (1988-91) holds the all-time UVa assistrecord with 683.
Hand leads the Cavaliers with 125 assists (4.3 apg.) this season(5th in the ACC).
In addition to leading the team in assists, Hand is also second onthe team in scoring at 15.0 points per game (12th in the ACC). He isaveraging 15.5 points per game in conference play (11th in the ACC). Heleads the team with 48 three-point field goals (ninth in the ACC) and isshooting 32.0 percent from three-point range. Hand is also shooting 73.8percent (124-168) from the free throw line. He has one double-double inpoints and assists to his credit.
Last season, Hand led the Cavaliers in scoring at 17.1 points pergame and also averaged 4.1 assists per game.
Double-Double for Hand
Junior guard Donald Hand registered a double-double, the third ofhis career, against Hampton (Dec. 10) with 15 points and 11 assists.Hand’s 11 assists established a new career high. His previous career highwas nine assists against Duke (Jan. 24, 1998). It is Hand’s firstdouble-double in points and assists. His first two double-doubles camelast season against Wake Forest (Feb. 3) – 25 points, 11 rebounds, andGeorgia Tech (Feb. 25) – 28 points, 13 rebounds.
Getting to the Line
Through games of March 4, Virginia junior guard Donald Hand issecond among all Atlantic Coast Conference players in free throws made andattempted. Hand has made 124 of 168 free throw attempts (73.8 percent).
For his career, Hand has made 318 of 414 free throw attempts (76.8percent). He led the ACC in free throw percentage last year (162-188, 86.2percent).
Lots of Threes
Junior guard Donald Hand is currently sixth on Virginia’s careerlist for three-point field goals made with 116. Richard Morgan (1986-89)is fifth on the list with 132.
Hand leads Virginia with 48 three-point field goals this season.
Hare Sets Career High
Junior guard Josh Hare scored a career-high 10 points in theCavaliers’ 102-56 win over Hampton (Dec. 10). He made four of eightattempts from the floor (1-4 on three-pointers) and one of two free throws.The field goals attempted and made are career bests as well. He also addedfour rebounds.
Watson Named ACC Rookie of the Week Twice
Freshman forward/center Travis Watson was named the ACC Rookie ofthe Week after helping lead the Cavaliers to wins over Virginia Tech (Jan.24), Florida State (Jan. 26) and Wake Forest (Jan. 30). Watson totaled 37 points and 22 rebounds in the three UVa wins.
He notched 10 rebounds, six points, two blocks and two steals inVirginia’s 71-66 overtime win over Virginia Tech in Richmond. Watson thenposted 13 points and six rebounds in an 86-81 victory over Florida State.He concluded the week by scoring a then career-high 18 points in UVa’s76-67 win at Wake Forest. He added six rebounds and three assists againstthe Demon Deacons.
Watson earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the second timethis season for his play in Virginia’s victories over Clemson (Feb. 15) andNorth Carolina (Feb. 20). Watson scored 27 points and grabbed 15 reboundsin the two games. He was 11-18 (61.1 percent) from the field and 5-9 (55.6percent) from the free throw line in the two games.
In UVa’s 76-62 victory at home over Clemson, Watson scored ninepoints and grabbed four rebounds. He scored 18 points and had 11 reboundsfor his seventh double-double of the season in Virginia’s 90-76 win atNorth Carolina. He was 8-12 (66.7 percent) from the field and 2-3 (66.7percent) from the free throw line against the Tar Heels.
Leading Rebounder
Freshman forward/center Travis Watson came to Virginia with thereputation as a great rebounder and has lived up to that billing so far in1999-2000. Watson has led the team in rebounding in 17 of 29 games thisseason. He is averaging a team best 8.3 rebounds per game (4th in the ACC).He has been in double figures in rebounds eight times. Watson grabbed acareer-high 16 rebounds in the ACC opener against Duke (Jan. 5).
In addition to leading the team in rebounding, Watson is tops onthe club in blocked shots with 28 (10th in the ACC), which includes acareer-high five blocks against Dartmouth (Jan. 2). He also leads the teamin field goal percentage at 53.8 percent (129-240) and is third in scoringat 11.3 points per game. Watson is fifth on the team in steals with 26.He has led the team in scoring five times, and has seven double-doubles inpoints and rebounds, fourth in the ACC.
Second to Sampson
Freshman forward/center Travis Watson is currently second to RalphSampson on Virginia’s list for average rebounds per game by a freshmansince the restoration of freshman eligibility in the 1972-73 season.Sampson averaged 11.2 rebounds a game during his freshman season in1979-80. Watson is currently averaging 8.3 rebounds a game.
Virginia’s top five freshman rebounders since the 1972-73 season are:
| Ralph Sampson | 1972-73 | 11.2 | |
| Travis Watson | 1999-2000 | 8.3 | |
| Marc Iavaroni | 1974-75 | 7.9 | |
| Chris Williams | 1998-99 | 7.5 | |
| Wally Walker | 1972-73 | 6.8 |
Here’s a look at the top single game rebounding performances by aUVa freshman since the 1972-73 season:
| Ralph Sampson | 22 | vs. Old Dominion (12/29/79) | |
| Ralph Sampson | 21 | vs. Va. Tech (1/14/80) | |
| Ralph Sampson | 20 | vs. Maryland (1/16/80) | |
| Ralph Sampson | 18 | vs. Clemson (2/28/80) | |
| Wally Walker | 17 | vs. Wake Forest (2/10/73) | |
| Travis Watson | 16 | vs. Duke (1/5/00) |
**There have been six 15-rebound performances by UVa freshmen in a game,including one by Watson (Jan. 12).
Friel Scores Fast Against UNC
Junior guard Keith Friel came off the Virginia bench to provide theCavaliers with instant offense in the second half of UVa’s 90-76 victoryover North Carolina on February 20. Friel entered the game for the firsttime with 11:18 left to play and Virginia leading 52-44. He made athree-point field goal with 10:44 remaining to give UVa a 55-44 lead andthen made another at the 10:02 mark for a 58-46 lead. Friel made yetanother three-point field goal with 9:36 left in the game to extend theVirginia lead to 61-46. That’s three three-point field goals for Friel ina span of 1:42. He also made two free throws at the 9:09 mark (63-46 UValead) before leaving the game with 7:40 left to play.
Friel did not play again, but he had provided the Cavaliers withthe offensive lift they needed, scoring 11 points in the 3:38 he played.
Friel Finds the Range
In the last 19 games, junior guard Keith Friel has made 31 of his72 three-point field goal attempts (43.1 percent). His best outings cameagainst Belmont (Dec. 28) when he made four of eight attempts, versusDartmouth (Jan. 2) when he drilled four of five three-point tries andagainst North Carolina (Feb. 20) when he made three of four attempts.
Prior to the last 19 games, Friel had connected on 11 of 32three-point attempts (34.4 percent).
On the season, Friel is 42 for 104 from beyond the three-point arc(40.4 percent). He has 50 field goals and 42 are three-pointers. Friel’sthird basket against Maryland (Feb. 2) was a two-pointer and it broke astring of 16 consecutive field goals that were threes. He is also 25 for27 (92.6 percent) from the free throw line.
In two seasons at Notre Dame, Friel shot 39.7 percent (60-151) fromthree-point range, including 46.4 percent (45-97) his last season (1997-98).
Dondon Turns in Outstanding Performances
Junior forward Stephane Dondon obviously likes to play againstFlorida State. In two games against the Seminoles this season, Dondon hasscored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He is 8-10 from the field (80.0percent), including 2-3 (66.7 percent) from three-point range, and 11-12(91.7 percent) from the free throw line against Florida State. Dondon alsohas three steals, two blocked shots and one assist in 48 minutes of actionin the two games.
In UVa’s 86-81 victory over the Seminoles at University Hall (Jan.26), Dondon scored 14 points and had seven rebounds. He made five of sixattempts from the floor (1-2 threes) and made three of four free throws.He added one assist and one steal in a career-high 27 minutes of playingtime.
In Virginia’s 71-64 loss at Florida State (Feb. 26), Dondon scoreda career-high 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. He was 3-4 from thefield, including 1-1 from three-point range, and he made all eight of hisfree throw attempts. He also had two steals and two blocked shots in 21minutes of action.
Dondon had a career-high eight rebounds in UVa’s victory over N.C.State at University Hall on February 12. Dondon is averaging 2.9 reboundsa game for the season, but is averaging 4.1 (58) rebounds a game in thelast 14 games.
Adam Hall Named to ACC All-Defensive Team
Virginia sophomore Adam Hall is one of five players selected to the2000 Fan’s Guide Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive Team as selectedby the conference’s head coaches. Joining Hall on the team are ShaneBattier and Chris Carrawell of Duke, Juan Dixon of Maryland and AnthonyGrundy of North Carolina State.
Selection of the team is organized by Barry Jacobs’ Fans’ Guide,ACCToday.com.
This is the fifth year the team has been selected. Virginia playersselected to previous All-Defensive Teams include Harold Deane in 1997 andChris Alexander in 1996.
Hall on Defense
Sophomore guard Adam Hall consistently draws the opposing team’stop perimeter scorer as his defensive assignment and he did a masterful jobin Virginia’s 76-62 victory over Clemson on February 15. Hall andVirginia’s team defense limited the Tigers’ Will Solomon, the leadingscorer (21.6 ppg.) in the Atlantic Coast Conference entering the game, to13 points. Solomon had just two points in the first half as UVa surged to a38-21 halftime lead. For the game, he was 4-13 from the field, including2-7 from three-point range, and was 3-6 from the free throw line.
Solomon scored 43 points against UVa in a 98-91 Virginia win atClemson on January 15. Hall did not play in that game.
In addition to his defensive work on Solomon, Hall scored 10points, grabbed six rebounds, had two assists and three turnovers in 29minutes of playing time. He was 3-4 from the field, including 2-3 fromthree-point range, and was 2-2 from the free throw line.
Hall is second on the team in steals (44).
Hall’s Scoring Runs Hot and Cold
Sophomore guard Adam Hall’s scoring has run in streaks all seasonlong. In the early portion of the season, Hall reached double figures inscoring only twice in the first seven games.
Hall broke out of his slump with 18, 15 and 23-point outingsagainst Loyola (Dec. 8), Hampton (Dec. 10) and Richmond (Dec. 23),respectively. After failing to reach double digits in the next threegames, Hall has scored in double figures in nine of his last 15 contests.
Despite the inconsistent scoring, Hall has shot very well from thefield in his last 21 games. He has shot an impressive 51.8 percent fromthe field (85-164). He has also made 23 of his last 60 three-pointattempts (38.3 percent) after starting the season one for 11 (9.1 percent).Hall’s three-point basket with 25.8 seconds left in overtime againstMaryland (March 4) gave the Cavaliers the lead for good (87-86) against theTerrapins. UVa went on to win 89-87.
On the season, Hall is shooting 51.0 percent (105-206) from thefield, but is struggling at the free throw line having made 41 of 78attempts (52.6 percent). However, in his last 14 games, Hall has made 21of 34 attempts from the free throw line (61.8 percent).
Senior in Starting Lineup Equals Success
Virginia’s lone senior, guard/forward Willie Dersch, started 14consecutive games from December 8 through February 2. The Cavalierscompiled an 11-3 record with Dersch in the starting lineup for those 14games. Dersch has not started six of Virginia’s last seven games.Overall, UVa is 12-4 with Dersch as a starter. The Cavaliers lost toMinnesota (Nov. 30) in Dersch’s first start of the season and defeatedMaryland on March 4 when he started on Senior Night at University Hall.After the Minnesota game, Dersch did not start in the next game against St.John’s (12/4). He made his return to the starting lineup against Loyola(12/8) and started 14 consecutive games.
On the year, Dersch is averaging 4.0 points per outing and isshooting 47.7 percent (42-88) from the floor. He is averaging 1.5 reboundsper game and possesses a 2.1 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.
Mapp Sets Career High
Freshman guard Majestic Mapp established a new career high byscoring 12 points in the Cavaliers’ 98-91 victory at Clemson (Jan. 15). Hemade three of eight attempts from the field (2-7 on threes) and convertedall four free throws. Mapp also tallied three assists and two steals withno turnovers in 22 minutes of playing time against the Tigers.
Mapp equalled his career high with 12 points in UVa’s 86-81 winover Florida State (Jan. 26) at U-Hall. He made four of seven attemptsfrom the field (2-4 on threes) and made both free throws.
Mapp’s previous career-best was 10 points against Elon (Nov. 19)and VMI (Nov. 21) in the first two games of his collegiate career.
Mason’s First Three-Pointer a Big One
Freshman guard Roger Mason’s first three-point field goal forVirginia couldn’t have come at a better time. Mason’s first three-pointfield goal of his collegiate career came with 3:21 remaining to play in theCavaliers’ game at the University of Richmond (Dec. 21) and broke a59-59 tie. The three-pointer gave UVa a lead it would not surrender in thegame’s closing moments as Virginia defeated the Spiders 69-65. It was theonly three-point attempt of the game for Mason, who missed his first 10three-point attempts this season.
Mason as a Starter
Since moving into the starting lineup eight games ago, freshmanguard Roger Mason is averaging 9.5 points (76 points), 2.4 rebounds (19)and 1.8 assists (14) a game. He is shooting 47.2 percent (25-53) from thefield, including 23.1 percent (3-13) from three-point range, and 88.5percent (23-26) from the free throw line. He is also averaging 27.4minutes of playing time (219), 1.0 steals (8) and 1.9 turnovers (15) agame. Mason has scored in double figures in five of the eight games.
Mason Named ACC Rookie of the Week
Guard Roger Mason turned in a pair of terrific performances inUVa’s ACC games against Duke (Jan. 5) and Georgia Tech (Jan. 8) and wasnamed the ACC Rookie of the Week.
In his ACC debut against Duke, Mason scored a career-high 22 pointson nine of 12 shooting from the field (75.0 percent), including a perfectthree for three effort from three-point range. He also made his lone freethrow, grabbed three rebounds, and had two steals while playing 28 minuteswith no turnovers.
Against Georgia Tech, Mason scored 14 points on three of fiveshooting from the floor. He made all three of his three-point field goalattempts and was a perfect five for five from the free throw line. He alsoadded two rebounds and one assist.
In 16 ACC games, Mason is averaging 8.9 points per game and isshooting 44.0 percent (44-100) from the field. He has made 12 of 31three-point attempts (38.7 percent) and is 43 for 49 (87.8 percent) fromthe free throw line. He has 32 rebounds, 24 assists and 16 steals to hiscredit while committing 26 turnovers in 375 minutes of playing time.
Mason made a pair of clutch baskets in UVa’s 71-66 overtime winover Virginia Tech (Jan. 24). He scored nine of his 13 points in thesecond half. With the Hokies on a 13-0 run that gave them a 54-53 lead,Mason drained a three-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire. Thatbasket gave the Cavaliers a 56-54 lead with 4:24 to play, and also broke aVirginia scoreless drought that spanned 7:21. (Mason also made the lastbasket before the drought that gave UVa a 53-41 edge with 11:45 to play).He also made an off-balance jumper with 2:33 to go that trimmed theVirginia Tech lead to two, 60-58.
Freshmen Making Significant Contribution
Three freshmen are playing significant minutes for Virginia duringthe 1999-2000 season. Forward/center Travis Watson, and guards MajesticMapp and Roger Mason have each seen action in all 29 of Virginia’s games.
Watson has started 28 games for the Cavaliers and is the team’sleading rebounder (8.3 rpg.) and third leading scorer (11.3 ppg.). He alsoleads the team in blocked shots (28) and in field goal percentage at 53.8percent (129-240, players with at least 20 field goals attempted), and isfifth in steals (26). Watson is averaging 28.0 minutes of playing time agame.
Mason is averaging 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds a game. He isaveraging 21.3 minutes of playing time a game, and has 37 assists and 30steals. He has started 10 games, including the last eight.
Mapp is averaging 5.5 points and 0.8 rebound a game while playing18.4 minutes per contest. He has started two games and is shooting 34.3percent (24-70) from three-point range. Mapp has 65 assists and 48turnovers, and also has 22 steals.
You have to go back to the 1984-85 season to find three Virginiafreshmen who played comparable minutes to Mapp, Mason and Watson. Thethree freshmen playing comparable minutes for the Cavaliers during the1984-85 season were Mel Kennedy (22.8 mpg.), Darrick Simms (20.8 mpg) andJohn Johnson (16.6 mpg.).
Spreading the Minutes Around
True to his word, head coach Pete Gillen is going deep into hisbench in 1999-2000. After 29 games, Virginia has nine players averagingdouble figures in minutes. Only sophomore forward Chris Williams andjunior guard Donald Hand are averaging 30 minutes of playing time per game.Williams is averaging 31.7 minutes per game, while Hand is averaging 30.7minutes per outing.
Only three other players, freshman forward/center Travis Watson(28.0), sophomore guard Adam Hall (25.2) and freshman guard Roger Mason(21.3, are averaging more than 20 minutes per contest. The other playersaveraging double figure minutes are: freshman guard Majestic Mapp (18.4),junior forward Stephane Dondon (13.4), junior guard Keith Friel (11.8),and senior forward Willie Dersch (11.4). Junior center Colin Ducharme isaveraging 7.0 minutes per game.
Two Players with Double-Doubles
Two Virginia players had double-doubles in the Cavaliers’ 90-74victory at North Carolina on February 20. Sophomore Chris Williams finishedthe game with 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, and freshman TravisWatson had a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. The double-double wasWilliams’ first of the year and the seventh for Watson.
It’s the first time two Virginia players had double-doubles in thesame game since Williams and Donald Hand had double-doubles in Virginia’s64-54 victory over Wake Forest at University Hall on February 3, 1999.
Ducharme Sixth on Blocked Shot List
Junior center Colin Ducharme is currently in sixth place onVirginia’s all-time blocked shot list with 87. Junior Burrough (1992-95)is fifth with 96 blocks.
Ducharme is tied with current teammate Chris Williams for theninth-best single season block total with 41. Ducharme notched his 41blocks while leading the team in that category in 1996-97. Williams’ 41blocks came last year. In addition to leading the team in blocks in1996-97, Ducharme also held that honor in 1997-98 with 34.
Not so “Free” Throws
After leading the ACC in free throw percentage (.734) for the firsttime since 1979 last season, the Cavaliers struggled from the free throwline in the early portion of the 1999-2000 campaign.
Through 29 games this season, UVa has shot 67.6 percent (509-753)from the free throw line. The Cavaliers have shot over 65 percent from thecharity stripe only 18 times this season, but have eclipsed that mark in 17of the last 24 contests.
In ACC play, UVa’s free throw percentage has improved to 69.5percent (287-413). In 16 conference contests, the Cavaliers have shotbetter than 70 percent eight times.
Virginia’s best performance from the free throw line was a perfecteight for eight outing against Minnesota (Nov. 30). The effort tied forthe sixth best performance in school history. UVa made all eight attemptsfrom the line vs. Wake Forest (1/26/85) and Houston (12/10/89). Prior tothe Minnesota game, the last time the Cavaliers were perfect from the freethrow line was a six for six effort against Georgia Tech (2/22/90).
Eleven Different Double Figure Scorers
In the first 29 games of the 1999-2000 season, the Cavaliers havehad 11 different players score in double figures in a game. Virginia hadonly seven players reach double figures in scoring last season. Juniorforward Stephane Dondon became the 11th Cavalier to score in double figuresin the 1999-2000 season when he tallied 14 points against Florida State(Jan. 26).
The other double figure scorers this season are: (only firstdouble digit performance is listed) sophomore guard Adam Hall (12 vs. VMI),junior guard Donald Hand (18 vs. Elon), freshman guard Majestic Mapp (10vs. Elon), freshman guard Roger Mason (10 vs. Elon), freshmanforward/center Travis Watson (15 vs. Elon), sophomore forward ChrisWilliams (16 vs. Elon), junior guard Keith Friel (14 vs. South Carolina),junior center Colin Ducharme (10 vs. South Carolina), senior forward WillieDersch (10 vs. Arizona State), and junior guard Josh Hare (10 vs. Hampton).
Chezley Watson Leaves Team
Junior guard Chezley Watson has left the Virginia basketball team.Watson left the team prior to the Cavaliers’ game with Georgia Tech onJanuary 8 after visiting with head coach Pete Gillen. The Gainesville,Ga., native was hampered by an ankle injury this season and played in ninegames. He averaged 1.4 points per game while playing an average of 4.4minutes per game.
Watson, a two-year letterman, started 26 of the 28 games he playedin last season. He averaged 8.3 points and 3.0 rebounds a game during the1998-99 season.
Virginia Rallies Past Maryland in Overtime
Sophomore Adam Hall made a three-point basket with 25.8 secondsremaining to give Virginia the lead for good as the Cavaliers rallied foran 89-87 overtime victory over 17th-ranked Maryland at University Hall onMarch 4. The victory snapped a nine-game ACC winning streak by theTerrapins.
UVa trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and stilltrailed by nine points (70-61) with 5:55 left in the game before rallyingfor the victory. The Cavaliers outscored the Terrapins 15-6 over the last5:55 to force overtime. Hall made two free throws with 35.2 seconds leftin regulation to force the overtime period. Five different players scoredfor Virginia during the run with sophomore Chris Williams contributing fivepoints.
Freshman Travis Watson scored five points and Hall added four inthe overtime period. After Hall’s three-point basket gave the Cavaliers an87-86 lead, freshman Roger Mason made two free throws with 10.6 secondsremaining to extend the UVa lead to three points (89-86).
Hall and Williams each scored 16 points to lead five Virginiaplayers in double figures. Watson added 15 points and a game-high ninerebounds, Mason scored 13 points and junior Donald Hand added 11.
Veterans Willie Dersch and Colin Durcharme also played a valuablerole in the victory. Dersch, the team’s only senior, started on SeniorNight and scored six points in 11 minutes of action. Ducharme, a red-shirtjunior, contributed six points and six rebounds in 10 minutes of playingtime off the bench.
Danny Miller led five Maryland players in double figures with 20points.
Virginia out-rebounded the Terrapins 41-36 and the Cavaliers forced20 turnovers. UVa won despite shooting 39.4 percent from the field (26-66)compared to Maryland’s 55.0 percent (33-60). The Cavaliers were 32-43 fromthe free throw line (74.4 percent), while Maryland was 16-23 (69.6 percent).
The victory broke a five-game Virginia losing streak to the Terrapins.
Wake Forest Beats UVa at University Hall
Darius Songaila scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds to leadWake Forest to an 80-75 victory over Virginia at University Hall on March2. The loss was just the second of the season at home for the Cavaliers.
The Demon Deacons led by as many as 13 points in the first half,but UVa cut the deficit to seven points (40-33) at halftime. The Cavalierstook the lead 62-61 with 6:52 left to play when Adam Hall’s three-pointplay capped a 7-0 Virginia run. Wake Forest scored the next five points toregain the lead at 66-62 with 5:58 left to play. The Demon Deacons nevertrailed again.
Chris Williams scored a game-high 23 points to lead three Virginiaplayers in double figures. He also had eight rebounds. Adam Hall added 16points and six rebounds, and Donald Hand scored 11 points.
Josh Howard scored 14 points, and Craig Dawson and Josh Shoemakereach added 11 points to join Songaila in double figures for Wake Forest.
Florida State Rallies for Victory over UVa
Damous Anderson scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds to leadFlorida State to a 71-64 come-from-behind victory over Virginia on February26 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Virginia built a 12-point lead (24-12) with 5:50 left in the firsthalf, but the Seminoles rallied to outscore the Cavaliers 11-1 theremainder of the half and cut the UVa lead to 25-23 at halftime. TheCavaliers led 38-32 with 14:04 left to play before Florida State went on a12-1 run to take a 44-39 lead with 11:03 remaining in the game. TheSeminoles led by as many as nine points (60-51, 4:38) before Virginia cutthe lead to one (63-62) with 1:47 left to play. Florida State then pulledaway to the victory by outscoring UVa 8-2 the rest of the play.
Junior forward Stephane Dondon and sophomore forward Chris Williamseach scored 15 points to lead four Virginia players in double figures.Freshman guard Majestic Mapp added 11 points and freshman guard Roger Masonscored 10 points. Freshman center/forward Travis Watson was UVa’s leadingrebounder with eight.
Antwuan Dixon scored 16 points for Florida State and Ron Hale added15 points. The Seminoles’ Justin Mott had a game-high nine rebounds.
Virginia Beats UNC in Chapel Hill
Virginia raced to a 46-33 halftime lead and junior Keith Frielprovided a second half spark as the Cavaliers defeated North Carolina 90-76in Chapel Hill on February 20. The victory was the first for UVa in ChapelHill since 1981 and was the Cavaliers’ first win ever after 14 consecutivelosses at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Virginia never trailed and took the lead for good with a six-pointrun that broke an 8-8 tie and gave UVa a 14-8 lead with 14:33 left in thefirst half. The Cavaliers stretched the lead to as many as 18 points inthe first half before leading by 13 points at halftime.
UVa had scored just six points in the second half, but still led52-44 when Friel entered the game for the first time with 11:18 remainingto play. Friel hit three three-point field goals in a span of 1:42 andthen added two free throws to give the Cavaliers a 63-46 lead with 9:09left to play. When he left the game with 7:40 remaining, Friel had scored11 points while in the game for 3:38.
Freshman Travis Watson finished with a game-high total of 18 pointsand also had 11 rebounds for Virginia, while Chris Williams scored 16points, had a season-high 12 rebounds and added a career-high sevenassists. Junior Donald Hand added 15 points and six assists, and Friel had11 points.
Jason Capel led five North Carolina players in doublefigures with 17 points and also had nine rebounds.
The victory enabled the Cavaliers to win both of the regular seasongames from North Carolina for the first time since 1981.
UVa Beats Clemson for Seventh ACC Victory
Junior guard Donald Hand scored 21 points and had six assists, andsophomore guard Adam Hall and the Cavaliers’ team defense limited Clemsonguard Will Solomon to 13 points as Virginia defeated the Tigers 76-62 atUniversity Hall on February 15.
Solomon, the leading scorer in the Atlantic Coast Conferenceentering the game, made just four of 13 shots from the field, including twoof seven three-point attempts, and three of six free throws.
Sophomore forward Chris Williams scored 16 points and had ateam-high seven rebounds for the Cavaliers. Freshman guard Roger Masonadded 11 points and four assists, and Hall scored 10 points and had sixrebounds in addition to his defensive effort on Solomon.
Virginia jumped out to a 21-6 lead with 9:13 left in the first halfand Clemson got no closer than 10 points the rest of the game. TheCavaliers led 38-21 at halftime as Solomon scored just two points in thefirst half.
The victory enabled UVa to sweep the regular-season series from theTigers. Virginia defeated Clemson 98-91 in Clemson, S.C., on January 15.
The win was the seventh conference victory of the season for theCavaliers. The seven conference victories equals the most Virginia has hadin a season since winning 12 conference games during the 1994-95 season.
UVa Downs N.C. State to End Three-game Slide
Freshman center/forward Travis Watson scored a career-high 20points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Virginia to an 88-82 victory overN.C. State at University Hall on February 12. The victory ended athree-game losing streak for the Cavaliers and improved UVa’s record atUniversity Hall to 9-1 for the 1999-2000 season.
The double-double in points and rebounds was the sixth of theseason for Watson. He led five Virginia players in double figure scoring.Junior guard Donald Hand scored 17 points, all of them in the second half,while sophomore forward Chris Williams had 14 points and eight rebounds.Junior guard Keith Friel added 13 points and sophomore guard Adam Hallscored 11 points.
The Cavaliers trailed by five points (37-32) at halftime, butscored 56 points in the second half to overtake the Wolfpack. UVa went onan 11-2 run early in the second half to take a 47-43 lead with 16:00 leftin the game. State rallied to lead 66-65 with 6:07 left in the game, butVirginia out-scored the Wolfpack 13-2 over the next 4:15 to take a 78-68lead with 1:52 left to play. The Cavaliers then hung on for the victory asN.C. State closed to within 84-82 with 16.6 seconds left in the game. Handand freshman Roger Mason each made two free throws in the closing secondsfor the final margin of victory.
The win was the Cavaliers’ 12th consecutive victory over theWolfpack at University Hall. Kenny Inge led N.C. State with 25 points.
Watson Perfect From Field
Freshman forward/center Travis Watson was a perfect six-for-sixfrom the field against South Carolina on November 25 to tie for Virginia’sfifth best perfect shooting game from the field of all time. It is the11th time that a player has made all six attempts from the field. Prior toWatson, the last UVa player to make every attempt (minimum of five) fromthe floor was Kenny Turner, who tied the school record with a nine-for-nineeffort against Samford on 11/28/89. Jeff Jones (vs. Alabama-Birmingham3/18/82) also shares the school record with Turner.
Only Two in Double Figure Scoring
The Cavaliers had only two players score in double figures in theirvictory against Providence (Nov. 26) and their losses to St. John’s (Dec.4) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 9), marking the only times this season Virginiahas not had at least three players score in double figures in a game. Lastseason, Virginia failed to have at least three players score in doublefigures four times and won only one of those contests (a 65-58 win overClemson on January 17, 1999).
No Three-Pointers
Virginia held Arizona State without a three-point field goal onNovember 27, marking the sixth time since the inception of the three-pointfield goal in the 1986-87 season that UVa has accomplished the feat.Interestingly, two of the five previous games that Virginia held opponentswithout a three-pointer came last season in a span of eight days (Loyola0-7 on 12/30/98 and Maryland 0-7 on 1/7/99)
D
ouble-Double in Debut
Freshman forward Travis Watson became only the third freshman inVirginia history since the restoration of freshman eligibility in 1972-73to record a double-double in the first game of his career. Oddly enough,it is also the second straight year that it has happened.
Watson totaled 15 points and 14 rebounds in only 19 minutes in theseason opener against Elon on November 19. He earned his first careerstart against VMI on November 21 and totaled 16 points (7 of 9 FGs, 2-2FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals in 25minutes of action.
Current sophomore Chris Williams opened his UVa career with a20-point, 10-rebound “double double” against Virginia Commonwealth lastseason.
The first player to record a double double in his first game wasScott Johnson, who scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 27 minutesin the 1995-96 season opener against Tennessee-Martin.
The performances of several notable Cavaliers in their collegedebuts are listed below.
| Who? | Opp./Yr. | Pts. | Rebs. |
| Junior Burrough | W&M 91-92 | 17 | 6 |
| Bryant Stith | Dartmouth 88-89 | 12 | 6 |
| Olden Polynice | Lafayette 83-84 | 8 | 5 |
| Ralph Sampson | Johns Hopkins 79-80 | 17 | 8 |
| Jeff Lamp | James Madison 77-78 | 24 | 3 |
| Marc Iavaroni | W&L 74-75 | 14 | 9 |
| Wally Walker | WFU 72-73 | 7 | 3 |
Dersch and Hand Elected Captains
Senior forward Willie Dersch and junior guard Donald Hand wereelected captains of the 1999-2000 Virginia basketball team by theirteammates. Both players served as captains of the basketball team lastseason.
In 1998-99, Dersch started 26 of the 30 games in which he playedand received the team’s Michael McCann Leadership Award. He averaged 10.2points and 2.8 rebounds a game last season. The three-year letterwinner isthe only senior on the 1999-2000 UVa team.
Hand started all 30 games last season and was the co-recipient ofthe Bill Gibson Cavalier of the Year Award as the team’s most valuableplayer. Hand led the Cavaliers in scoring (17.1 ppg), assists (123, 4.1apg.), steals (57), free throw shooting (86.2 percent, 162-188) andthree-point field goals (50). He was the top free throw shooter in theAtlantic Coast Conference last season. His 41 points in Virginia’s 82-79overtime victory over North Carolina State last February are a UVasophomore record and the most points scored by a Virginia player sinceBarry Parkhill established a school record with 51 points againstBaldwin-Wallace during the 1971-72 season.
Williams and Hall Earn Silver
Sophomores Chris Williams and Adam Hall played on the USABasketball Men’s Junior World Championship Team that earned a silver medalat the 16-team 1999 FIBA Men’s Junior World Championships in Portugal lastJuly. Williams, the 1998-99 ACC Rookie of the Year and All-ACC third-teampick, set a tournament record for the USA with 12 blocked shots during thecompetition. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.