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March 23, 2007
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THIS WEEK
Virginia continues play in the 2007 Women’s National Invitation Tournament in quarterfinal action on Sunday, March 25 at Wisconsin. Tip-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. CT at the Kohl Center. Charlottesville’s WINA (1070 AM) will broadcast the game live on the radio and on the Internet.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
The Badgers, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Lisa Stone, stand 21-12 overall after a 67-61 win over Kentucky in the WNIT third round on March 22. Junior guard Jolene Anderson leads UW with 19.3 ppg and a team-best 7.2 rpg. Junior guard Janese Banks follows with 14.3 ppg, while junior forward Danielle Ward adds 7.9 ppg.
SERIES VS. BADGERS
Virginia holds a 1-0 series edge over Wisconsin. In the opening round of the Cavalier Classic on Dec. 6, 1985, UVa captured an 86-71 win over UW to advance to the championship game. Next season, Wisconsin is slated to visit John Paul Jones Arena as part of the ACC-Big Ten Women’s Basketball Challenge.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Virginia and Wisconsin have not played any common opponents this season.
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 three WNIT appearances, UVa stands 5-3 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 W 74-72 vs. Charlotte Third Round W 73-71 vs. South Florida Quarterfinal at WisconsinTotal: 8 games 5-3 record
AND THEN THERE WERE EIGHT
For the second consecutive year, Virginia has advanced to the WNIT quarterfinal round (elite eight). Last season, UVa also claimed two home wins prior to traveling for a quarterfinal round game. Of the seven other remaining teams, UVa has played only South Dakota State this season, falling 62-55 in the opening round of the Junkanoo Jam.
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. All ACC teams won their first postseason game.
WNIT THIRD ROUND RECAP
For the second consecutive time in Women’s NIT play, Virginia sealed its victory in the waning seconds of play. This time freshman Monica Wright (Woodbridge, Va.) stole the ball on an in-bounds play, preventing South Florida from winning the game with just three seconds on the clock. The Cavaliers won the WNIT third round game, 73-71 on Thursday at John Paul Jones Arena.
Sophomore Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.) paced UVa with 23 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) followed with 13 points and eight boards, while Wright and freshman Paulisha Kellum (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added 11 points each. Overall, Virginia out-rebounded South Florida, 34-33.
With her eight assists on the night, junior Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) moved into second place on Virginia’s career assists list. After 97 games, she has 597 assists.
With her seven free throws, Littles set the single-season record for free throws made. She’s made 149 (of 195) free throws for 76.4 percent.
IN THE STATISTICS
After 33 contests, sophomore Lyndra Littles leads the Cavaliers with 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 48.4 percent from the field. Freshman Monica Wright follows with 15.3 ppg and a team-best 79 steals. Junior Sharneé Zoll adds 9.6 ppg and a team-best 204 assists.