Cavaliers To Host Wofford College Thursday
Story Links
Dec. 31, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Game
Virginia (2001-2002: 17-12/7-9 ACC) stands at 8-2 this season. In its last game, UVa defeated Liberty 77-58 Monday (Dec. 30) at University Hall for its fifth consecutive victory. Wofford (2001-2002: 11-18/5-11 Southern Conference) is 4-5 in 2002-2003, including two losses to ACC opponents. The Terriers are coming off an 86-71 loss to N.C. State (Dec. 29) in Raleigh, N.C.
The Series vs. Wofford
Tonight’s game is the first meeting between Virginia and Wofford College in men’s basketball. The Terriers moved from NCAA Division II to Division I in 1995-96 and joined the Southern Conference in 1997-98.
Virginia vs. the Southern Conference
This is Virginia’s second and final game this season against a school from the Southern Conference. The Cavaliers defeated East Tennessee State 84-76 (Dec. 17) at University Hall earlier this season.
Virginia was one of the 13 original members of the “old” Southern Conference from 1922-37 and has a long and rich history of competition against the Southern Conference.
Against the 12 current members of the Southern Conference, the Cavaliers are 116-19 all-time. Most of the games were against VMI-a series Virginia leads 99-15. The Cavaliers are 3-0 vs. East Tennessee State, 2-0 vs. The Citadel, 1-0 vs. Appalachian State and the College of Charleston, and 10-4 against Davidson.
Of the Southern Conference’s current membership, Virginia has never faced Chattanooga, Furman, Georgia Southern, North Carolina-Greensboro, Western Carolina or Wofford.
There have been 40 other schools besides UVa that have been members of the Southern Conference at one time or another since 1922. These schools include many current members of the Southeastern Conference and the ACC. Virginia is 274-244 (.529) against these schools at the time they were in the Southern Conference.
Seeking 200
The Cavaliers have won 199 games against non-conference opponents at University Hall since the building opened for the 1965-66 season. Virginia is 199-29 for an impressive .873 winning percentage all-time in University Hall against non-conference opponents.
Not Just a Scorer
Sophomore guard/forward Devin Smith came to Virginia with a reputation as a terrific scorer (19.4 ppg, at Coffeyville Community College), but he has also shown a knack for blocking shots. He has blocked seven shots in the last two games, including a season-high four against Liberty (Dec. 30). With 13 blocks this season, Smith is averaging 1.3 per game and is tied with sophomore forward Jason Clark for second on the team.
Making the Most of His Opportunities
Sophomore forward Jason Clark has only taken 28 shots this season, but his made 20 baskets for an impressive .714 field goal percentage. He has shot 50 percent or better in every game excluding the two games (Indiana – Nov. 27 and East Tennessee State – Dec. 17) he did not attempt a field goal. Clark has been perfect from the field four times this season. He is shooting 61.9 percent (60-97) from the field in his career.