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March 19, 2007
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THIS WEEK
Receiving a first-round bye, the Virginia Cavaliers open play in the 2007 Women’s National Invitation Tournament in second round action on Monday, March 19 against Charlotte. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena. Charlottesville’s WINA (1070 AM) will broadcast the game live on the radio and on the Internet.
SCOUTING CHARLOTTE
The 49ers, under the guidance of second-year head coach Amanda Butler, stand 19-12 overall after a 72-45 win over High Point in the WNIT first round on March 15. Junior guard Sabrina Gregory leads Charlotte with 14.3 ppg. Sophomore forward Danielle Burgin follows with 11.0 ppg and a team-best 7.5 rpg. Freshman guard Wendy Stywalt adds 10.0 ppg.
SERIES VS. 49ERS
Virginia holds a perfect 3-0 record against Charlotte since the teams’ first meeting in 1984. In their last meeting on Dec. 29, 1992, at the Takit to Court Super Shootout in Hilton Head, S.C., the Cavaliers claimed a 77-74 win to advance to the tourney championship against No. 2 Vanderbilt.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Virginia and Charlotte have played six common opponents in 2007. Charlotte recorded a 3-3 record against Clemson, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, Richmond, Temple, and Virginia Tech, while the `Hoos went 5-2 against the same teams.
25th Postseason Appearance
Virginia is making its 25th postseason tournament appearance in 2007 since the school started sponsoring women’s basketball in 1974. UVa has appeared in 21 NCAA tournaments, two prior Women’s National Invitation tournaments, and the 1981 AIAW tournament. In its WNIT appearances, UVa stands 3-3 overall.
VIRGINIA’S WNIT RECORD
1980: First Round W, 67-62 vs. Wayland Baptist Second Round L, 61-68 vs. North Carolina Semifinal L, 53-67 vs. Drake2006: First Round W, 48-42 vs. St. Joseph's Second Round W, 83-72 vs. Miami Quarterfinal L, 68-58 at Pittsburgh2007: First Round Bye Second Round vs. CharlotteTotal: 6 games 3-3 record
VIRGINIA VS. THE REGION
Of the other 11 teams in UVa’s region of the WNIT bracket, Virginia has not played any of the participating teams during the 2006-07 regular season.
CAVALIERS vs. WNIT FIELD of 48
This season Virginia stands 3-2 against the 47 other teams in the 2007 WNIT bracket, meeting four participants- UAB, Seton Hall, South Dakota State, and Virginia Tech- during the regular season. In all-time series history, the Cavaliers are 65-24 (.730) against the 2007 WNIT qualifiers.
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE
In 2006, Virginia made its 24th postseason tournament appearance. For just the second time in school history, the Cavaliers played in the WNIT. UVa picked up home wins against St. Joseph’s and Miami at University Hall before falling at Pittsburgh in the quarterfinal round.
EIGHT ACC TEAMS MAKE POSTSEASON PLAY
Eight Atlantic Coast Conference teamed received postseason berths. Joining Virginia in the WNIT is intra-state rival Virginia Tech. Playing in the NCAA Tournament are No. 1 seeds Duke and North Carolina, No. 2 seed and defending national champion Maryland, No. 4 seed NC State, No. 7 seed Georgia Tech, and No. 10 seed Florida State.Team Notes
ACC TOURNAMENT RECAPS
The No. 8 seed Virginia Cavaliers eliminated No. 9 seed Clemson in the first round of the 2007 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament with an 89-82 win on March 1 at Greensboro Coliseum. Sophomore Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.) came off the bench for a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds for her 15th double-double of the season (20th of her career). For her efforts, Littles was named the Aeropostale Player of the Game. Freshman Monica Wright (Woodbridge, Va.) added 24 points, three steals and a career-best two blocks. Senior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) finished with 11 points, including two threes. Freshman Paulisha Kellum (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added 10 points. Overall, CU out-rebounded UVa, 47-38.
Virginia then fell to top seed and No. 1 nationally ranked Duke, 79-58, in the quarterfinal round on March 2. ACC Rookie of the Year Monica Wright paced UVa with 18 points and nine boards, while senior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) added her sixth double-double of the season (10th of her career) with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Paulisha Kellum came off the bench for 11 points, six boards, and a career-high two blocks. Both teams grabbed 42 rebounds.
IN THE STATISTICS
After 31 contests, sophomore Lyndra Littles leads the Cavaliers with 17.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 48 percent from the field. Freshman Monica Wright follows with 15.3 ppg and a team-best 74 steals. Junior Sharneé Zoll adds 9.8 ppg and a team-best 186 assists.