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Jan. 4, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –
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The Game
Virginia enters tonight’s game with an 8-2 overall record and is 0-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers are coming off an 89-70 loss to then fifth-ranked Wake Forest (Jan. 2) at University Hall.
Western Kentucky stands at 10-1 in 2004-05 and has won four consecutive games. The Hilltoppers are coming off an 80-59 home win over Fordham (Jan. 1). Western Kentucky finished the 2003-04 season with a 15-13 overall record and an 8-6 mark in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Series vs. Western Kentucky
Tonight’s game is the first meeting between Virginia and Western Kentucky in men’s basketball. The Hilltoppers are the fourth (and final) first-time opponent the Cavaliers are playing during the regular season. UVa is 3-0 vs. first-time opponents in 2004-05 – Robert Morris (W, 88-55 – Nov. 19), Northwestern (W, 48-44 – Dec. 1), Furman (W, 79-67 – Dec. 8).
Virginia vs. the Sun Belt Conference
The Cavaliers have only played against five of the current 11 members of the Sun Belt Conference and stand at 3-3 all-time against those teams. Virginia is 1-0 vs. Arkansas State, Denver, and Middle Tennessee, 0-1 vs. New Mexico State, and 0-2 vs. New Orleans. UVa has never played Arkansas-Little Rock, Florida International, La.-Lafayette, North Texas, South Alabama, and Western Kentucky (until tonight).
UVa’s last game against a member of the Sun Belt Conference was back in the 1991-92 season when the Cavaliers fell at New Orleans 54-52 on December 18, 1991.
Against the 22 teams that have been a member of the Sun Belt Conference at one time, Virginia is 24-9. Two schools from the Commonwealth of Virginia were once members of the Sun Belt Conference. Old Dominion played in the Sun Belt from 1983-91 and UVa was 2-1 vs. the Monarchs during that span. Virginia Commonwealth was a Sun Belt member from 1980-91 and the Cavaliers were 5-1 against the Rams during that time frame.
ACC Openers Unkind to Virginia
Virginia lost its 2004-05 Atlantic Coast Conference season opener 89-70 to then fifth-ranked Wake Forest (Jan. 2) in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers have lost their last 10 ACC openers. UVa is 19-33 all-time in ACC openers and 13-16 in home ACC openers.
Joseph Makes Most of Opportunity
Freshman forward Adrian Joseph made his first career start against Wake Forest (Jan. 2) in place of the injured Devin Smith. Joseph made the most of the opportunity as he tallied 19 points. He connected on 7-12 attempts from the field (3-6 from three-point range) and made both free throw attempts. He played a season-high 32 minutes and had one blocked shot and did not commit a turnover. For his effort, Joseph was named the ACC Rookie of the Week on January 3.
Joseph’s previous career high was eight points in his collegiate debut against Robert Morris (Nov. 19). In his seven previous games, Joseph had scored just 16 points and played only 67 minutes.