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CHARLOTTESVILLEThe Virginia men’s basketball team returns to action on Wednesday (Nov. 19) when the Cavaliers host the University of South Florida at John Paul Jones Arena. Tickets are available for Wednesday’s game at a cost of $20 each.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Select at www.accselect.com.
Both teams enter the game with 1-0 records. Virginia opened its season with a 107-97 victory over VMI at John Paul Jones Arena on Sunday (Nov. 16), while USF began its season with a 60-46 win at home over SMU last Friday (Nov. 14).
Freshman guard Sylven Landesberg and sophomore forward Mike Scott had huge games for Virginia in its victory over VMI. Landesberg was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week after totaling 28 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 36 minutes of action against the Keydets. His 28 points are the most scored by a Virginia freshman in the first game of his career since the restoration of freshman eligibility in 1972-73. The previous high was 24 points by Jeff Lamp against James Madison University on Nov. 25, 1977.
Scott had career highs of 26 points and 18 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time against VMI. He was 11-13 (84.6 percent) from the field and 4-5 from the free throw line. Scott tied a Virginia record with 10 offensive rebounds and his 18 total rebounds were the most by a UVa player since Travis Watson had 20 rebounds against Wofford on Jan. 2, 2003.
Also scoring in double figures for the Cavaliers were senior forward/guard Mamadi Diane (14 points), junior forward Jamil Tucker (14 points) and freshman guard Sammy Zeglinski (11 points). Diane also had seven rebounds, while Zeglinski had six assists and four rebounds. Junior guard Calvin Baker had a career-high seven assists and tied his career high with four steals.
As a team, Virginia shot 54.4 percent (43-79) from the field and out-rebounded VMI 50-35.
Wednesday’s game with USF marks the first time the two teams have played each other. The Cavaliers have won their last 18 games against first-time opponents, but have lost their last five games against Big East opponents.
Senior guard Jesus Verdejo led the Bulls to their victory over Southern Methodist with a game-high 18 points. Senior forward Mobolaji Ajayi matched his career high with a game-high 11 rebounds and sophomore guard Dominique Jones added 13 points, a game-high six assists, three rebounds and three steals.
USF finished the 2007-08 season with an overall record of 12-19 and the Bulls were 3-15 in the Big East Conference. The Bulls have four starters returning from last season’s team.
Stan Heath is in his second year as the head coach at USF. In eight years as a collegiate head coach, his teams have compiled an overall record of 125-96. He has also been the head coach at Arkansas and Kent State.
After the game with USF, Virginia is back in action on Friday, Nov. 21, when the Cavaliers host Radford at John Paul Jones Arena. That game is also scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.