Men's Basketball Hosts Maryland In Final Game At University Hall

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March 3, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –

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The Game
Virginia enters Sunday’s final game in University Hall with a 14-12 overall record and a 7-8 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers have lost their last two games and are coming off a 99-54 loss to 13th-ranked North Carolina (Mar. 1) in Chapel Hill.

Maryland stands at 17-11 overall and 7-8 in the ACC. The Terrapins snapped a two-game losing streak with a 65-61 victory over Miami (Mar. 1) in College Park, Md.

The Series vs. Maryland
Maryland leads the series with Virginia 100-64 in a rivalry that dates back to the 1912-13 season. UVa has lost the last five meetings in the series (and eight of the last 10), including the first matchup this season – 76-65 (Feb. 7) in College Park. Virginia also lost both contests last season. In the first meeting of the 2004-05 season, UVa fell 82-68 (Jan. 19) in College Park and the Cavaliers lost 92-89 in double overtime (Feb. 19) in Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers lost both games in the 2003-04 season to Maryland. The Terrapins won 71-67 (Feb. 4) in Charlottesville, snapping UVa’s two-game winning streak in the series. Maryland earned a sweep in the season series with a 70-61 win (Mar. 7) in College Park.

UVa snapped a three-game losing streak (and a nine-game slide at Maryland) with an 86-78 victory (Feb. 6) at Comcast Center in the 2002-03 season. Virginia completed the 2002-03 season series sweep with an 80-78 overtime victory (Mar. 9) in Charlottesville. It marked the Cavaliers’ first season sweep of Maryland since the 1992-93 campaign.

In the 2001-02 season, the Terrapins won 91-87 (Jan. 31) in Charlottesville in the first meeting and 112-92 (Mar. 3) in the final game at Cole Field House. In 2000-01, UVa split a pair of games with Maryland with each team winning at home. Virginia earned a 99-78 victory (Jan. 31) in the first meeting of 2000-01 in Charlottesville. Maryland gained a split in the season series with a 102-67 victory (Mar. 3) in College Park.

Virginia has lost eight of the last 12 and 18 of the last 25 contests in the series with Maryland since winning five consecutive games between 1992-1994.

This is the 59th consecutive season the Cavaliers and Terrapins have met (every season since 1947-48), Virginia’s second-oldest opponent in terms of consecutive seasons met. They have played 126 games in that span. (Virginia’s oldest opponent in terms of consecutive seasons played is Virginia Tech–71 straight seasons).

UVa has won eight of the last 14 games between the two teams at University Hall and 12 of the last 20. Virginia is 40-38 all-time on its home court against Maryland, including a 23-17 record at University Hall. Five of the Cavaliers’ last six wins over the Terrapins (1995, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2003) have occurred at University Hall.

A Nailbiter Could be in the Offing
The recent series with Maryland has featured quite a few close games. Since 1987, 25 of 40 games have been decided by nine points or less, with Virginia winning 12 of the close games. In the last 20 years there have also been five overtime games, with Virginia winning three of the five games.

Final Game In University Hall
Today’s game against Maryland marks Virginia’s final regular season game at University Hall.

Virginia’s overtime victory over Virginia Tech (Feb. 11) marked UVa’s 400th win all-time at U-Hall. The Cavaliers picked up their 401st win at U-Hall against Longwood (Feb. 15) and registered win number 402 vs. then 11th-ranked Boston College (Feb. 21). In 41 seasons (including 2005-06), the Cavaliers are 402-142 (.739 winning percentage) all-time at U-Hall. In ACC play, UVa stands at 179-111 (.617 winning percentage) at U-Hall.

After calling University Hall home since the 1965-66 season, the Cavaliers will move across the street to their new facility, the John Paul Jones Arena, for the 2006-07 season.

Familiar Closing Opponents
When Maryland played its final game at Cole Field House in 2002, UVa was its opponent. The Cavaliers fell to Maryland 112-92 on Mar. 3, 2002.

U-Hall is Kind to Cavaliers
UVa is 11-2 at home this season, including 6-1 in the ACC, but only 2-10 in away games (1-7 in the ACC). Virginia has won its last six home games and lost its last six away games. UVa is 6-1 in ACC games at U-Hall this season, its most conference wins at home since 2000-01 when the Cavaliers were 7-1.