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Feb. 6, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –
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The Game
Virginia stands at 12-7 overall and 2-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2003-2004 season. The Cavaliers have lost three consecutive games and are coming off a 71-67 loss to Maryland (Feb. 4) in Charlottesville, Va. N.C. State stands at 13-5 overall and 6-2 in the ACC. The Wolfpack erased a 16-point halftime deficit for a 73-68 victory over 16th-ranked Wake Forest (Feb. 4) in Raleigh, N.C.
The Series vs. N.C. State N.C. State leads the overall series with Virginia 75-50 (dating back to 1912-13), including an 86-69 decision (Dec. 28) earlier this season in Raleigh. The Wolfpack won the first meeting of the 2002-03 season 75-63 (Jan. 5) in Raleigh. The Cavaliers snapped a five-game losing streak to N.C. State with a 61-58 victory (Feb. 9) in Charlottesville. In the 2001-2002 season, N.C. State earned three wins over UVa – 81-74 (Jan. 5) in Charlottesville, 85-68 (Feb. 6) in Raleigh, and 92-72 (Mar. 8) in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. Despite winning only once in the last seven meetings, the Cavaliers have won 16 of 27 contests against NCSU in the last 13 seasons. Since 1980, the Cavaliers are 33-21 in all games against the Wolfpack. The two teams have split the regular season series five times in the last six seasons (NCSU, however, has won all three ACC Tournament matchups during the same span – 2000, 2001 and 2002. When N.C. State swept the 2001-02 regular season series, it marked the Wolfpack’s first sweep over UVa since winning both matchups (by a combined seven points) in 1988. Virginia has swept the season series six times since then, but the last time UVa swept the season series was in the 1996-97 season. The Cavaliers have won 23 of the last 26 games between the two teams at University Hall. UVa had its 13-game home winning streak over the Wolfpack snapped in the 2001-2002 season (81-74 – Jan. 5). State’s previous two wins in Charlottesville during that stretch came in 1985 and 1988 by a combined margin of three points. Virginia is 25-12 against the Wolfpack at University Hall and 31-21 in Charlottesville.
Cavaliers and Wolfpack Battle to the Wire
The history of the series between these two schools since the late 1970s has been one marked by many closely contested games. Since 1978, 39 of the 59 games have been decided by less than 10 points. UVa is 27-12 (.692) in those games.
Virginia’s last nine wins (going back nine seasons) over the Wolfpack have been by a combined 43 points (4.8/g).
Since 1978, four games have been decided by one point, five by two points, seven 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 back to the first meeting 90 years ago that only three games have gone to overtime. Virginia has been victorious in all three overtime contests. UVa won the first overtime game 81-73 in 1977-78 and won 84-82 in double overtime in 1995-96. In the most recent overtime affair, the Cavaliers won 82-79 in 1998-99. During one stretch (1985-1988) nine consecutive games were decided by nine points or less.
In a bit of an aberration, nine of the last 11 N.C. State wins in the series have been by double digits-67-54 in 1994, 74-55 in 1998, 82-72 in 1999, 76-65 in 2000, 90-80 in 2001, 85-68, 92-72 in 2002, 75-63 in 2003, and 86-69 earlier this season. The exceptions were a 65-62 Wolfpack win on Jan. 12, 2000, and an 81-74 win on Jan. 5, 2002.
Clark Provides Defensive Spark
Since rejoining the team in early January, 6-8 junior forward Jason Clark has provided a defensive spark in the low post.
Clark practiced with the Cavaliers for the first time this season on January 4. He was on the bench, but not in uniform for Virginia’s game with Providence College (Jan. 3) and did not play in UVa’s game against William & Mary (Jan. 5) at University Hall. Clark saw his first game action of the season against Duke (Jan. 11), playing five minutes with two rebounds and two blocked shots.
Clark has started the last five games and appeared in seven contests overall. He is averaging 2.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per game while playing 19.4 minutes per contest.
Clark turned in an impressive performance against Florida State (Jan. 18). He played a career-best 34 minutes, had five points, tied a then career high with nine rebounds, and blocked a pair of shots while receiving his first starting assignment.
Against Maryland (Feb. 4), Clark continued his solid play with three points, a career-high 13 rebounds, five blocked shots and a career-high three steals in 31 minutes.
A two-year letterman, he averaged 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds a game for Virginia during the 2002-03 season. He shot 70.7 percent (58-82) from the floor and blocked 25 shots.