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Jan. 30, 2001
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#11 / #11 Virginia (14-4, 3-4 ACC)
vs.
#9 / #10 Maryland (14-5, 5-2 ACC)
January 31, 2001 – 9:00 p.m.
University Hall – Charlottesville, Va.
The Series vs. Maryland
Maryland leads the series with Virginia 92-61 in a rivalry that dates back to the 1912-13 season. After winning five consecutive meetings between 1992-1994, the Cavaliers have lost 10 of the last 14 contests. Virginia snapped a five-game losing streak to the Terrapins with an 89-87 overtime victory (Mar. 4) in the second meeting of the 1999-2000 season in Charlottesville. Maryland won the first meeting last season 91-79 (Feb. 2) in College Park, Md.
UVa has won six of the last nine games between the two teams at University Hall and 10 of the last 15. Virginia is 38-35 all-time on its home court against Maryland, including a 21-14 record at University Hall.
The Cavaliers’ last three wins over the Terrapins (1995, 1997 and 2000) have occurred at University Hall.
This is the 54th consecutive season the Cavaliers and Terrapins have met (every season since 1947-48), Virginia’s second-oldest opponent in terms of consecutive seasons met. They have played 115 games in that span. (Virginia’s oldest opponent in terms of consecutive seasons played is Virginia Tech – 67 straight seasons).
A Nailbiter Could be in the Offing
The recent series with Maryland has featured quite a few close games. Since 1987, 19 of 29 games have been decided by nine points or less, with Virginia winning 10 games.
In the last 13 years there have been three overtime games, with Virginia winning two of the three games.
Head Coach Pete Gillen
Pete Gillen is in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach and sports a 321-160 record for a .667 winning percentage. Gillen is in his third season at Virginia and has posted a 47-32 record (.595 winning percentage). Gillen won the 300th game of his career when Virginia defeated then 21st-ranked North Carolina 87-85 on January 18, 2000 at University Hall.
Gillen has led his teams to postseason play 12 times in 15 seasons (eight NCAA, four NIT). He has been selected as the conference Coach of the Year five times – all while coaching Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate Conference).Undefeated in Non-Conference Action
The Cavaliers won all 11 of their non-conference games this season, marking the first time since the 1981-82 season Virginia has gone undefeated in non-conference regular season play. In the 1981-82 season, UVa won all 15 of its regular season non-conference games and was 30-4 overall (12-2 in the ACC).
Good Start
Virginia began the 2000-2001 season with 10 consecutive wins before falling to Wake Forest (Jan. 2), marking its best start since the 1992-93 campaign. The 1992-93 team started the season with an 11-0 record. The 10 straight wins to start this season marked the eighth time in the 96-year history of the men’s basketball program UVa won 10 games to start a season.
The Cavaliers now stand at 14-4 on the season.
The 1999-2000 Season
Virginia finished the 1999-2000 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavs advanced to postseason play for the first time since receiving a bid to the 1997 NCAA Tournament, but fell to Georgetown in the first round of the 2000 National Invitation Tournament 115-111 in triple overtime.
A Top Five Win
The Cavaliers’ 107-89 win over fourth-ranked Tennessee (Dec. 19) at the Jimmy V Classic marked the first time since the 1995 season that Virginia defeated a top-five ranked team. UVa’s last win against a top five team prior to the Tennessee victory was a 67-58 win over Kansas in the Sweet 16 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament on March 24 in Kansas City, Mo. The Jayhawks were ranked fourth in the AP poll and fifth in the USAToday/ESPN poll at the time.
The 1994-95 season was also the last time Virginia defeated two top five teams in the same season. The Cavaliers’ first top five win of the 1994-95 season was against second-ranked North Carolina (73-71) on February 19 in Charlottesville. UVa beat Kansas in the NCAA Tournament for its second top five win of the year.
The last time Virginia defeated a top five team on the road was on January 17, 1993 when UVa defeated third-ranked Duke 77-69 in Durham, N.C.
It Won’t Get Any Easier
The Cavaliers have already played three top five teams in conference play (and lost all three), but still have five more ACC games against top 16 competition of which four are against top 10 teams (including tonight’s game against Maryland). The good news, if there is any, is that Virginia played the three top five conference matchups on the road and four of the five top 16 games that remain will be played at University Hall where the Cavaliers are 9-1 this season.
A Rare Feat
Senior guard Donald Hand has recorded 1,343 points, 358 rebounds, 477 assists and 163 steals in his career. Hand is just the third UVa player with at least 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, 400 assists and 150 steals in a career. The other two UVa players to accomplish the feat are Othell Wilson (1981-84) – 1,469 points, 375 rebounds, 493 assists and 222 steals, and Harold Deane (1994-97) – 1,763 points, 440 rebounds, 468 assists and 179 steals.Scoring Lots of Points
The Cavaliers are having an excellent season offensively. Through the first 18 games of the season, UVa is averaging 88.7 points per game which is third among all Atlantic Coast Conference schools and fourth in the nation. The school record for the highest scoring average is 89.8 points per game in the 1954-55 season.
UVa is also shooting 46.4 percent (545-1174) from the floor this season. The last time Virginia shot better than 46.4 percent from the field in a season was in the 1986-87 season when it shot 49.6 percent (888-1789) from the floor. The last time UVa shot 50 percent from the field in a season was in the 1985-86 season when the Cavaliers connected on 50.1 percent (838-1672) from the floor.
Big Wins
Twelve of the Cavaliers 14 wins this season have been by 16 points or more. Nine of the 14 wins have been by 19 or more points. UVa’s seven-point win (88-81) over N.C. State (Jan. 6) is its smallest margin of victory this season. Virginia is outscoring its opponents in its wins by 25.3 points per game (93.8 to 68.5). Overall, UVa is outscoring its opponents by 15.4 points per game (88.7 to 73.3).
Big Leads
One of the reasons for Virginia’s early season success is its ability to build big leads. In 10 of Virginia’s wins this season, it built leads of 20 or more points. In two Cavalier victories (VMI – Dec. 4 and UMBC – Dec. 23), they led by at least 18 points. In its win over Missouri (Jan. 20), Virginia led by as many as 15 points. UVa’s smallest lead in a win was 10 points (N.C. State – Jan. 6).
The exact opposite is true in UVa’s four losses this season. The Cavaliers’ biggest lead in a loss is five points (Georgia Tech – Jan. 9 and North Carolina – Jan. 24). In its loss to Wake Forest (Jan. 2), Virginia’s largest lead was two points. UVa never led in its loss to Duke (Jan. 13).
Raining Threes
Virginia turned in two of its best long range shooting performances of the season over the last four games. Against Florida State (Jan. 16), the Cavaliers converted 11 of 23 three-point attempts (47.8 percent) with the 11 threes setting a season high. In its last outing against Clemson (Jan. 27), UVa made a season-best 12 three-point field goals on 24 attempts (50 percent). It marks the second consecutive season the Cavaliers have made 12 three-point field goals in a game against Clemson (Jan. 15, 2000).
Being Outshot
Virginia got off to a great start shooting the basketball this season, but has managed to shoot 50 percent only twice in its last eights games. UVa’s opponents have reached 50 percent shooting six times this year and five times in the last eight games. On the season, UVa is outshooting it opponents 46.4 percent to 45.8 percent in all games, but the Cavaliers are being outshot 52.6 percent to 42.9 percent in ACC contests.
Overcoming a Deficit
In addition to being able to build big leads, Virginia showed its ability to overcome a deficit in its 88-81 victory over N.C. State (Jan. 6). The Cavaliers trailed by 11 points (55-44) with 15:54 to go in the game, but outscored the Wolfpack 44-26 the rest of the way to earn an 88-81 victory.
50 Point Halves
Virginia has put together 13 50-plus point halves this season in 18 games (36 halves) – that translates to 36.1 percent of the halves in which UVa has reached 50 points. Last season, the Cavaliers only had seven 50-plus point halves in 31 games (62 halves) – or 11.3 percent.
Scoring in Double Figures
All five of Virginia’s regular starters are averaging double figures in scoring in overall games this season, and four of the five are in double digits in ACC play as well.
Finally 50 Percent
After shooting 26.8 percent (19-71) from the field against Duke (Jan. 13), the Cavaliers more than doubled their shooting percentage against Florida State (Jan. 16). In the win over the Seminoles, UVa shot an impressive 55.7 percent (34-61) from the field – that’s an increase of 28.9 percent. UVa’s 55.7 percent performance also snapped a streak of four consecutive games Virginia shot under 50 percent. During that span, UVa was 88-246 (35.8 percent) from the field.
In its last game against Clemson (Jan. 27), the Cavaliers shot 57.4 percent (39-68), marking the first time since February 14, 1998 UVa has shot better than 50 percent in an ACC contest on the road. In that game, UVa shot 52.2 percent (36-69) but lost to Georgia Tech 105-86 in Atlanta, Ga.
100 Points on the Road
Virginia scored 104 points in its victory over Clemson (Jan. 27) and it marked the first time since the 1982-83 season the Cavaliers reached the century mark in an ACC road game. The last time Virginia scored 100 points in an ACC away game was on March 2, 1983 when the Cavaliers defeated Wake Forest 107-74 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum and and Memorial Coliseum both served as home courts for the Deacs).
50 Points
Virginia has held three of its opponents to 50 points or less this season. UVa limited Virginia Tech to 48 points in its 64-48 victory (Nov. 24) for its season low. Virginia held Bucknell to 49 points in a 99-49 victory (Dec. 28) and Long Island University to 50 points in a 96-50 triumph (Nov. 17).
When UVa limited Virginia Tech to 48 points, it marked the fewest points the Cavaliers have allowed in a game under head coach Pete Gillen. The previous record for fewest points allowed in a game under Gillen was 50 by Dartmouth last season (Jan. 2, 2000) and Long Island University earlier this season (Nov. 17).
Prior to holding Virginia Tech to 48 points, UVa’s opponents were averaging 75.8 points per game during Gillen’s tenure. Virginia held the Hokies nearly 28 points below that average.
This season, UVa has held its first 18 opponents to an average of 73.3 points per game. Last year, the Cavaliers gave up 75.4 points per game.
117
Virginia’s offense was rolling in its victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). The Cavaliers lit up the scoreboard in the 117-78 victory with the 117 points tying for the fourth highest single game output in school history. UVa also scored 117 points against Baldwin-Wallace (117-83) in the 1972 season. The school record for points in a game is 128 vs. George Mason (128-98) in 1995. The second highest output is 124 points against Johns Hopkins (124-60) in the 1983 season, while the third highest point total is 118 vs. BYU-Hawaii (118-84) in the 1982 season.
The Cavaliers’ 117 points are the most the team has scored since a 115-111 triple overtime loss to Georgetown in last season’s NIT.
70
Virginia scored 70 points in the second half of its 117-78 victory over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20), which is believed to be a school record for points in a half. The previous known high for points in a half was 69 in the second half of UVa’s 128-98 victory over George Mason on January 28, 1995. Virginia scored 67 points in the second half of a 124-60 win against Johns Hopkins on November 26, 1982.
Only One Steal
The Cavaliers had just one steal in their 96-73 loss at Wake Forest (Jan. 2). The last time UVa had only one steal in a game was against Duke on March 5, 1998. It wasn’t the fewest steals ever in a game against the Deacs, as UVa went without a steal against Wake Forest on January 4, 1998.
Consistency
Junior forward Chris Williams has quietly been UVa’s most consistent player this season. Williams has reached double figures in scoring in the last 15 games and in 16 of 18 this season (the two games he failed to reach double figures in scoring, he had nine points). In addition to his scoring, Williams has also been a consistent rebounder. He has pulled down six or more rebounds in 14 of 18 contests. Williams registered double-doubles in consecutive contests (Missouri – Jan. 20 and North Carolina – Jan. 24).
On the season, Williams is leading the team in scoring with an average of 15.4 points per game (ninth in the ACC) and 16.7 points per game in ACC contests. He is second on the team in rebounds with 6.6 per game (7.1 in ACC play). Williams is second on the team in field goal percentage (minimum of five made field goals per game) at 52.4 percent (98-187) and is second in steals (27). Williams is also fifth in free throw percentage (78.2 percent, 61-78) and has made 49 of his last 60 free throws (81.7 percent).
Hand Equals Career High in Assists
Senior guard Donald Hand dished out 11 assists in the Cavaliers’ 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20) to tie his career high. He also recorded 11 assists last season against Hampton (Dec. 10, 1999).
Overcoming Great Shooting
The Cavaliers defeated N.C. State (Jan. 6) 88-81 despite the Wolfpack shooting 61.2 percent (30-49) in the game. Virginia opponents have shot better than 60 percent in a game 46 times through the years and UVa has won nine of those contests. The previous time Virginia defeated an opponent that shot 60 percent or better in a game was Missouri (64-62) on February 9, 1986. The Tigers shot exactly 60 percent (30-50) from the field in the game. The previous ACC opponent UVa defeated that shot 60 percent or better in a game was Clemson (77-70) on February 21, 1984. Clemson shot 67.5 percent (27-40) in the game.
No Turnovers Times Two
In Virginia’s 88-81 loss to North Carolina (Jan. 24), senior guard Donald Hand did not commit a turnover while dishing out nine assists. It marks the second time this season Hand did not commit a turnover in a game and the fourth time in his career. In UVa’s 98-79 win over Purdue (Nov. 29), Hand handed out eight assists and did not commit a turnover. The other no turnover games came last season against Clemson (Jan. 15) – 5 assists, 0 turnovers, and Florida State (Jan. 26) – 3 assists, 0 turnovers.
Truly a Charity Stripe
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., has made the most of his free throw attempts this season. Mason made 45 consecutive free throw attempts before missing his third attempt against N.C. State (Jan. 6). Mason was just three free throws shy of equalling Jeff Lamps’ 1979-80 school record of 48 consecutive made free throws. On the season, Mason has made 83-94 (88.3 percent) free throw attempts, which is second in the ACC.
Against UMBC (Dec. 23), Mason made all 14 of his free throw attempts and his perfect effort tied the second best free throw performance by a UVa player in a game. Bryant Stith made all 14 of his free throws against Georgia Tech on January 21, 1990. Buzzy Wilkinson holds the school record with a perfect 17 for 17 effort against Washington & Lee on January 14, 1955. Mason’s 14-14 effort against UMBC ties for the fifth best performance in NCAA Division I this season.
With his 88.3 percent (83-94) accuracy from the free throw line this season, Mason is ahead of Jeff Lamp’s school record for free throw percentage in a single season. Lamp made 154-178 free throws for 86.5 percent in the 1980-81 season. Mason has made 146-171 free throws in his career for a mark of 85.4 percent, which surpasses Lamp’s UVa career free throw percentage of 84.9 percent (635-748).
Mason’s streak of 45 consecutive free throws made began against Purdue (Nov. 29) when he made his last four free throws (he was five for six in the game). Mason was two for two against VMI (Dec. 4), four for four versus Ohio (Dec. 6), and nine for nine against Tennessee (Dec. 19). He was 14-14 against UMBC (Dec. 23), before going three for three against Bucknell (Dec. 28). Against Dartmouth (Dec. 30), Mason was four for four from the line and he made three free throws versus Wake Forest (Jan. 2). He made his first two free throws against N.C. State (Jan. 6) before seeing his streak end at 45.
Mason Sets Career Highs
Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., set career highs for points and assists in a game in UVa’s 117-78 win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 20). Mason tallied 28 points on 10 of 14 shooting from the field, including a two-for-three effort from three-point range, and he also made six of seven free throws. His former career best was 22 points against Duke (Jan. 5, 2000). With seven assists against the Chanticleers, Mason surpassed his previous career best of four assists on three different occasions.
Mason is currently the Cavaliers’ second-leading scorer with an average of 14.2 points per game (12th in the ACC) and he is second in the ACC in free throw percentage at 88.3 percent (83-94).
NCAA Statistics
Virginia appears in several categories in the NCAA Division I statistics for games played through January 29.
Individually, guard Donald Hand is 13th in assists with 6.8 per game. Sophomore guard Roger Mason, Jr., is tied for 28th in free throw percentage at 88.3 percent (83-94). Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson is tied for 32nd in rebounding with an average of 9.3 per game.
As a team, the Cavaliers are fourth in scoring offense at 88.7 points per game. Virginia is 12th in the nation in scoring margin at plus 15.4 points per game (88.7 to 73.3). UVa is 14th in rebound margin at plus 6.7 per game (39.4 to 32.7).
No Blocks For and Against
The Cavaliers failed to block an opponent’s shot in consecutive games against Duke (Jan. 13) and Florida State (Jan. 16), marking the eighth time in school history UVa has not blocked a shot in consecutive games. The last time UVa failed to block a shot in consecutive games was in the 1988-89 season (Georgia Tech – Feb. 6 and Duke – Feb. 8). In the 1986-87 season, the Cavaliers had a streak of three consecutive games in which they failed to block a shot (Rutgers – Dec. 29, Duke – Jan. 3, and Brown – Jan. 5).
The Duke (Jan. 13) and Florida State (Jan. 16) games are the only games this season in which Virginia has failed to block a shot. Last season, the Cavaliers failed to block a shot in three games and the last time that occurred was against Wake Forest (Mar. 2).
N.C. State (Jan. 6) did not block a Virginia shot, marking the first time this season and third in the past two years, a UVa opponent failed to block a shot in a game.
The last Virginia ACC opponent prior to N.C. State that failed to block a UVa shot was Clemson (Jan. 17, 1999).
Hand’s Free Throw Streak Ends at 33
Senior guard Donald Hand had his impressive streak of consecutive made free throws end at 33 against Wake Forest (Jan. 2). Hand converted his first eight attempts from the line in the game before missing his next two free throws with 5:53 remaining in the contest. Hand’s streak dated back to the Purdue game (Nov. 29) when he made his final six attempts (he was nine of 11 in the game).
On the season, Hand has made 70 of 83 free throw attempts for an impressive 84.3 percent, which is third in the ACC.
Hand has made 401 of 512 (78.3 percent) of his free throw attempts in his career. His 401 made free throws rank eighth all-time. With 13 more successful free throws, Hand will move past John Crotty (1988-91) into seventh place all-time at Virginia.
Taking Care of the Basketball
In 18 games this season, the Cavaliers have committed 240 turnovers for an average of 13.3 per game. UVa has committed more than 15 turnovers in a game only four times this season – 21 vs. Duke (Jan. 13), 23 vs. Georgia Tech (Jan. 9), 17 vs. Tennessee (Dec. 19) and 17 vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 24). On the other hand, Virginia’s opponents have committed 337 turnovers for an average of 18.7 per game. The fewest turnovers a UVa opponent has committed in a game this season is nine by Wake Forest (Jan. 2).
The Cavaliers have committed more turnovers than their opponent in a game just three times this season – and all three times UVa has lost.
Good Ratio
On the season, senior guard Donald Hand has recorded 122 assists (6.8 assists per game) while committing 54 turnovers for a 2.26 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.
Hand is second among all ACC players with 6.8 assists per game. He is fourth on the team in scoring with an average of 12.3 points per game. Hand also leads the team with 31 steals.
Eight Double-Doubles for Watson
This season sophomore forward/center Travis Watson leads the ACC with eight double-doubles, including four in conference games. Watson has registered double-doubles in four of his last seven games.
Watson has recorded 16 doubles-doubles in his career.
Rebounding
The undersized Cavaliers have been rebounding the basketball very well this season and hold an ACC leading plus 6.7 margin (39.4-32.7) over their opponents (14th in the nation). Through 18 games, Virginia has only been outrebounded three times (VMI 41-39 – Dec. 4, Duke 43-41 – Jan. 13, and North Carolina 39-34 – Jan. 24). In seven games, UVa has outrebounded its opponent by 11 or more rebounds. Last season, UVa averaged 36.3 rebounds per game compared to 39.4 this year. On the offensive glass, the Cavaliers are averaging 15.6 per game (second in the ACC) this year compared to 12.7 per game last season.
Hall Records First Double-Double of the Season
Junior forward/guard Adam Hall tallied 17 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in UVa’s 104-76 victory over Clemson (Jan. 27), marking his first double-double of the season. It is also the second double-double of his career with his first coming against Georgetown in the 2000 NIT (21 points, 11 rebounds). Hall’s 11 rebounds against the Hoyas was his previous career high.
On the season, Hall is fifth on the team in scoring with an average of 10.0 points per game. Hall is shooting an impressive 54.0 percent (75-139) from the free throw line. He is third in rebounding at 4.7 boards per contest.
Watson Ties Career High in Rebounds
Sophomore forward/center Travis Watson tied his career high by pulling down 16 rebounds against UMBC (Dec. 23). His 16 rebounds equalled his career high set against Duke on January 5, 2000.
Watson also scored 19 points against the Retrievers (just one point shy of his career high) for his third double-double of the season and 11th of his career. Against Bucknell (Dec. 28), Watson posted 14 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. He recorded his fifth double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds against N.C. State (Jan. 6). Watson posted his sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds versus Georgia Tech (Jan. 9). He added his seventh double-double against Missouri (Jan. 20) with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Watson notched his eighth double-double of the season and 16th of his career with 16 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina (Jan. 24).
Watson is third on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game and leads the ACC with 9.3 rebounds per game. He has led the team in rebounding in eight of the last 11 games and 13 times (in 18 games) this season. Watson is shooting 52.3 percent (101-193) from the floor.
Back on Track
After making only two of his nine three-point attempts in games against N.C. State (Jan. 6), Georgia Tech (Jan. 9), and Duke (Jan. 13), graduate student guard Keith Friel found his shooting touch against Florida State (Jan. 16). Friel connected on five of nine three-point attempts (seven of 11 field goal attempts overall) and scored a UVa career-high 22 points against the Seminoles. He scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half. In his previous three games, Friel scored only eight points.
In addition to the 22 points, Friel also set personal Virginia career highs in field goals made (7) and attempted (11) and minutes played (25).
On the season, Friel is averaging 8.9 points per game and is shooting 44.9 percent (40-89) from three-point range. He is also shooting 90.0 percent (18-20) from the free throw line and had a streak of 17 consecutive free throws made snapped against North Carolina (Jan. 24).
Missing Friel
Graduate student guard Keith Friel did not play in UVa’s game against UMBC (Dec. 23) and consequently, the Cavaliers struggled from beyond the three-point arc.