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Jan. 2, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –
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The Game
Virginia (2002-2003: 16-16/6-10 ACC) stands at 9-1 overall and 0-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2003-2004 season. The Cavaliers are coming off an 85-74 victory over Iowa State (Dec. 31) in Charlottesville, Va. Providence (2002-2003: 18-14/8-8 Big East) stands at 7-1 on the season after defeating Siena 73-66 (Dec. 28) in Providence, R.I. The Friars enter today’s contest riding a four-game winning streak.
The Series vs. Providence
The Cavaliers meet Providence for the fifth time with Virginia leading the series 3-1. Today’s contest is the first time in the series that the game is not being played at a neutral site as the previous four meetings were all played as a part of tournaments. The other interesting note is that UVa head coach Pete Gillen served as Providence’s head coach for four seasons from 1994-1998 prior to coaching the Cavaliers.
The last time the two teams met was in the Puerto Rico Shootout on November 26, 1999 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico with the Cavaliers picking up an 80-64 second round victory. In the 1988-89 season, Virginia defeated Providence 100-97 on March 16 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. The Cavaliers went on to win two more games to advance to the regional championship (“elite eight”) of the NCAAs before falling to Michigan 102-65. UVa’s lone loss to the Friars was a 75-71 overtime setback in the first round of the Silversword Invitational in Kona, Hawaii, on November 23, 1984. The first meeting between the two teams was on December 28, 1978 and was also part of a tournament, as Virginia defeated Providence 106-68 in the first round of the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans, La.
Only Five Turnovers
In their last outing, the Cavaliers committed just five turnovers in an 85-74 win over Iowa State (Dec. 31). The five turnovers were just one shy of the school mark for fewest turnovers in a game. On five occasions, the Cavaliers had just four turnovers in a game. Interestingly enough, the last time UVa had only five turnovers in a game was on March 13, 1997 against Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and Iowa committed only three turnovers which ties for the UVa opponent record for fewest turnovers in a game (UVa lost the game 73-60). The game prior to Iowa was against North Carolina (Mar. 7, 1997) and UVa tied the school record with only four turnovers in that contest (a 78-68 loss in the first round of the ACC Tournament).
Only One Steal
In UVa’s 85-74 win over Iowa State (Dec. 31), the Cyclones had only one steal. The last time a Virginia opponent only had one steal was Long Island on November 17, 2000. The last time UVa held an opponent without a steal was vs. New Orleans on November 30, 1990.
Getting to the Free Throw Line
Virginia leads all ACC teams in free throws attempted (277) and free throws made (182) this season. However, UVa’s .657 free throw percentage ranks only sixth among the nine conference schools.
The Cavaliers are averaging 27.7 attempts from the free throw line per game (and 18.2 made per game). UVa has made more free throws than its opponent in all but one game this season. N.C. State (Dec. 28) made 15 free throws to UVa’s 12. Cavalier opponents have attempted nine or fewer free throws in three games.
Virginia’s opponents have attempted only 152 free throws (15.2 per game) and made 105 (10.5 per game). UVa has attempted 125 more free throws than its opponents (12.5 more per game) and made 77 more free throws (7.7 more per game).
Last season, Virginia averaged 20.7 attempts and 13.6 made free throws per game.