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CHARLOTTESVILLEVirginia fans have the opportunity to get an early look at the 2008-09 UVa men’s basketball team on Sunday, Nov. 9, when the Cavaliers host Shepherd University (W.Va.) in an exhibition game at John Paul Jones Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and tickets are $10.
The Cavaliers have 11 lettermen, including three starters, returning from last year’s 17-16 team that reached the semifinals of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.
Virginia’s returning starters include senior guard/forward Mamadi Diane (11.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg.), sophomore guard Jeff Jones (4.8 ppg,. 1.8 rpg.) and sophomore forward Mike Scott (5.7 ppg., 5.3 rpg.).
“The first step and our biggest challenge this year, particularly with such a young group, is the lessons learned,” said Virginia head coach Dave Leitao in discussing the exhibition game. “I’m not so much worried about the ball going in the basket or certain things that statistically will make us good, I’m looking for consistency in the small things.
“We’ve been working a lot on defense and not to say our defense is there, but the four or five key areas that we’ve emphasized as rules every day. Are we doing them more times than not? The same thing on the offensive end, are we disciplined in our structure? If we do that, then I’m not as worried about the score. Hopefully the score will take care of itself, but even if we’re not doing the things necessary to put the ball in the basket then are we putting ourselves in a position to do so. That’s more my concern.”
Parking is free in the lots around the arena for the exhibition game and doors to the arena open for fans at 12:30 p.m.