High-quality ACC basketball, the best cure for your post-Gator Bowl sickness! Both the men’s and women’s teams had gaps to fill this season, and while the midseason marks aren’t exactly fridge-worthy, they could be worse.
 With ACC play underway, the male Cavaliers are hoping to rebound, literally and figuratively, like last year, though Sunday’s drubbing at Duke wasn’t a good sign. |
Men’s grade: B-
Record: 10-4
Best of times: November 17, goes to Tucson and beats No. 17 Arizona 75-72
Worst of times: January 3, blown-out at Xavier 108-70
Prediction: UVA rides the bubble and makes the NCAA tournament
| Previous coverage:
Cavaliers dropped by Musketeers Even Singletary’s not superhuman Philly hoop group dispatches Cavs Relentless pursuit of excellence UVA dispatches Vermont, last year’s hype Women’s hoops: Born to run Cavaliers crush Carson-Newman High hoops Leitao nabs three top recruits |
After last season’s devastating loss to Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Cavaliers have faced the challenge of replacing All-ACC talent J.R. Reynolds. Schlepping a bigger load this season, senior point guard Sean Singletary has had mixed results. While he leads the ACC in assists, having risen to 6.6 from last season’s 4.7, Singletary’s turnovers have also increased to a mind-boggling five per game, and he’s forcing many shots and passes. Yet the blame for UVA’s sluggish start shouldn’t fall solely on Singletary—junior Mamadi Diane and senior Adrian Joseph need to become more consistent all-around players. While the Hoos own a decent record, it results more from a cupcake-heavy schedule, as their pedestrian 2-3 record away from the friendly confines of the JPJ would attest. UVA, nonetheless, is no stranger to adversity: After last year’s debacle in Puerto Rico, the Cavaliers rebounded, figuratively and literally, to an 11-5 ACC record and a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. In order for the team to countermand their slow start, Coach Dave Leitao needs to establish a consistent rotation of players, and someone other than Singletary has to become reliable.
Women’s grade: B+
Record: 13-4
Best of times: November 23, beats No. 21 Texas 86-83 at the Rainbow Wahine Classic, Hawaii
Worst of times: December 5, crushed at No. 2 Connecticut 75-45
Prediction: Lady Cavs get back into the Dance with an at-large bid after strong ACC play
The Cavaliers came into the 2007-2008 season with one goal—NCAA tourney or bust. Led by Head Coach (and 2008 Women Sports Hall of Fame inductee) Debbie Ryan and three returning starters—senior point guard Sharnee Zoll, junior forward Lyndra Littles and sophomore guard Monica Wright—the Hoos have sprinted out to an impressive record. For a team predicted to finish sixth in the ACC, the Cavaliers are poised to shut up their doubters and earn an NCAA bid for the first time in three years. Zoll (think Sean Singletary, minus the turnovers) dishes the ball beautifully. Though Littles has been out recently with an injury, Enoge Stovall has filled in nicely.
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