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Jan. 17, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –

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The Game
Virginia stands at 10-4 overall and 1-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2002-2003. In its last outing, UVa fell to top-ranked Duke 104-93 (Jan. 15) in Durham, N.C. Clemson stands at 10-2 overall and 0-2 in the ACC this season. In their last game, the Tigers lost to North Carolina (Jan. 14) 68-66 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Series vs. Clemson
Virginia leads the all-time series with Clemson 59-44. UVa had its four-game winning streak against the Tigers snapped with a 68-52 loss (Jan. 8) in the first meeting last season in Clemson, S.C. Virginia earned a split in the 2001-2002 series with an 85-71 win (Feb. 10) in University Hall. The Cavaliers have won seven of the last nine games against the Tigers.

The Cavaliers swept the 2000-2001 season series versus Clemson, winning 104-76 (Jan. 27) at Littlejohn Coliseum and 84-65 (Feb. 28) at University Hall. Virginia also swept the 1999-2000 season series from Clemson. The Cavaliers swept the season series five times in the last 10 seasons and are 14-6 vs. the Tigers during that span. The last time Clemson swept the season series was in the 1996-97 season.

All-time the Cavaliers are 15-19 at Littlejohn Coliseum and 19-29 in Clemson. Virginia had won its previous two games (98-91 – Jan. 15, 2000 and 104-76 – Jan. 27, 2001) at Littlejohn prior to last season’s 68-52 loss.

Overall the Cavaliers have won 18 of the last 25 games in the series dating back to the 1989-90 season.

He’s Back
After missing 70 consecutive games spanning 1,032 days, junior guard Majestic Mapp made his long anticipated return to the Cavalier lineup against North Carolina (Jan. 11). Mapp entered the game to a standing ovation with 7:23 remaining in the first half and played just over two minutes.

Mapp had been sidelined after tearing the ACL in his right knee on August 2, 2000. He missed the entire 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. The last time Mapp had played for UVa was March 15, 2000 against Georgetown in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Mapp did not play in the Cavaliers’ last game at Duke (Jan. 15).

Billet and Watson Among NCAA Leaders
Junior guard Todd Billet and senior forward/center Travis Watson are ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in free throw percentage and rebounding, respectively, for games played through Jan. 13.

Billet is tied with Matt Logie of Lehigh for fourth in free throw percentage at 93.3 percent. Billet has improved his free throw percentage to 94.3 percent (50-53).

Watson is ninth among all Division I players in rebounds with an average of 10.8 per game. Watson is currently averaging 10.3 rebounds (134 rebounds in 13 games).

Jenifer Finds the Range
Sophomore guard Keith Jenifer started off the season making only nine of 34 (26.5 percent) attempts from the field. In his last nine games, Jenifer has made 44.2 percent (23-52) of his field goal attempts – admittedly, not a great percentage. However, when Jenifer has stepped behind the three-point line, he has been deadly accurate.

Jenifer has made 10 of his last 14 three-point attempts (71.4 percent) over the last eight games after missing his first six threes of the season. His 10 three-pointers this season are eight more than he had during the entire 2001-2002 season.

He has scored seven or more points in a game eight times this season after scoring seven or more points in only six games last year. He has reached double figures in scoring three times in 2002-2003 after reaching double digits in points only once last season.

Jenifer is averaging 7.1 points, 5.5 assists (6th in the ACC) and 3.8 rebounds per game this season.

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