Virginia Faces #2 Duke, #1 North Carolina within 48 Hours This Weekend
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Feb. 8, 2006
This Week
Virginia heads to No. 2 Duke on Friday, Feb. 10. Tip-off at Cameron Indoor Stadium is set for 7 p.m. The Regional Sports Network- Fox Sports Net South (live), Comcast Sports Net (tape delayed until 1:30 a.m.), Fox Sports Florida (live)- will televise the game.
UVa closes out the week at home with No. 1 North Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 12. espn2 will televise the game live from University Hall, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
As part of “Smithfield Family Fun Days” for the game against the Tar Heels, Virginia fans will receive 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, 4 Pepsi, and 4 popcorns for only $20! Also, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a “Last Ball in U-Hall” trading card, the seventh in a series of eight collectors’ items.
One Tough, Tough Week: Welcome to ACC Basketball
Virginia begins February with its toughest stretch yet this season, facing three top-ranked opponents in seven days. First the Cavaliers traveled to No. 6 Maryland on Feb. 5. Then UVa travels to No. 2 Duke on Feb. 10. In less than 48 hours, the Cavaliers return home to host No. 1 North Carolina at University Hall.
Earlier this season, Duke played the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams within six days. Ranked No. 2 at the time, the Blue Devils upset No. 1 Tennessee, 75-53 on Jan. 23. Then as the No. 1 team, Duke fell to No. 2 North Carolina, 74-70 on Jan. 29.
Texas also had bouts with the nation’s top two ranked teams. The Longhorns played No. 2/1 Tennessee on Dec. 1, losing 102-61 in Knoxville. Three days later, Texas fell to No. 1 Duke, 84-70 on Dec. 4 in Austin.
Scouting Duke
The No. 2 Blue Devils, under the guidance of 14th-year head coach Gail Goestenkors, stand 21-1 overall and 8-1 in ACC play after a 73-62 win at Virginia Tech on Feb. 6. Senior guard Monique Currie paces the squad with 15.5 ppg, while senior center Mistie Williams follows with 11.4 ppg. Junior guard Lindsay Harding adds 11.3 ppg. Junior center Alison Bales is the rebounding leader with 6.3 rpg.
Series vs. Blue Devils
Virginia leads Duke, 32-22, in all-time series action. In their only meeting last season, the No. 1 ranked Blue Devils beat UVa, 87-65 at University Hall.
Scouting North Carolina
The No. 1 Tar Heels, under the guidance of 20th-year head coach Sylvia Hatchell, are the only undefeated team remaining in the nation with a perfect 22-0 overall record and a 9-0 mark in ACC play after a 75-56 win at Georgia Tech on Feb. 5. Junior guard Ivory Latta paces the squad with 17.5 ppg, while sophomore forward Erlana Larkins follows with 12.5 ppg and a team-best 6.6 rpg. Junior forward Camille Little adds 10.4 ppg. Entering the Feb. 9 game vs. No. 6 Maryland, North Carolina leads the nation with a 22-game winning streak.
Series vs. Tar Heels
North Carolina leads UVa in all-time series action, 38-31, while the teams are tied 26-26 in ACC regular-season games. Last season, the Tar Heels swept three games from the Cavaliers: 76-56 in Charlottesville, 89-60 in Chapel Hill, and 78-72 in the ACC Tournament semifinal.
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