Spiders set to bring London aboard
U.Va. aide would succeed Clawson as UR's football coach
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 12:10 AM Updated: 01:07 AM
By JOHN PACKETT
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Barring any last-minute snags in contract negotiations with Mike London, the University of Richmond is ready to name the University of Virginia assistant its football coach, sources confirmed yesterday.

Now it just appears to be a matter of finding the right time to get everyone together for a press conference to formally announce the successor to Dave Clawson, who left last Friday to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Tennessee.

As of last night, UR had not notified the media of a press conference, but it's possible one could be arranged sometime this weekend, assuming London accepts the school's offer.

London, 47, is a former UR player and assistant who has been the defensive coordinator at U.Va. for the past two years. The Hampton native also spent four years in Charlottesville before serving one year as the NFL Houston Texans' defensive line coach in 2005.

This would be the first head coaching job for London, who was a standout defensive back at UR before guiding the outside linebackers at his alma mater from 1988-89 and again from 1994-96.

UR Athletic Director Jim Miller could not be reached for comment last night.

London has spent much of this week on the road recruiting with U.Va. coach Al Groh, and they had hours to discuss London's career goals.

"I just told him I'm behind him no matter what he does," Groh said in a phone interview.
 

U.Va. loses Sewell
QB is among four players not enrolled for spring classes
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 - 12:05 AM
By JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The news keeps getting worse for the University of Virginia football team. U.Va. coach Al Groh, who may lose his defensive coordinator, Mike London, to the University of Richmond, has lost his starting quarterback, probably for the 2008 season.

Jameel Sewell, a Hermitage High graduate, is one of four football players who are not enrolled at U.Va. for the spring semester, the school announced in a two-paragraph release last night. Their absences are related to academics, sources confirmed.

The other players are cornerback Chris Cook, linebacker Darnell Carter and wide receiver Chris Dalton. Sewell, who has started Virginia's past 22 games, was a redshirt sophomore in 2007; Cook, who has not redshirted, was a junior. Carter and Dalton were redshirt freshmen.

The spring semester started Wednesday at U.Va.

The news about Cook is not a surprise. He was ruled academically ineligible to play in the Gator Bowl and didn't travel with the team to Jacksonville, Fla., last month.

It's not clear if any of the players might be able to return to U.Va. for the fall semester. The university's release said: "Privacy laws prohibit any additional comment or release of information regarding this matter." Typically, however, academic suspensions at U.Va. have been for two semesters.

Neither Sewell nor his mother could be reached for comment. Hermitage coach Patrick Kane said last night that he knew nothing about the situation.

Sewell has had other academic troubles at U.Va. In 2006, he needed a strong showing in summer school to remain eligible.

Cook, from Lynchburg, starred at Heritage High. Heritage football coach Chris Jones spoke yesterday with Cook.

"I'm really not sure what he's going to do," Jones said. "I don't think he's made his mind up."

Cook, who has started 19 games for Virginia, could enter the NFL's supplemental draft. Or he could take classes at a community college and try to return to U.Va.

Carter, a second-team inside linebacker, played primarily on special teams this past season. Dalton didn't appear in a game.

If Sewell isn't available next season, Virginia's starting quarterback figures to be Peter Lalich. As a redshirt freshman this past season, Lalich appeared in eight games. He completed 35 of 61 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

Sewell was an inconsistent passer who struggled to complete longer throws, but he played a starring role in the fourth-quarter comebacks that became the Wahoos' trademark in 2007. For the season, he passed for 2,176 yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran for 279 yards and four TDs.

U.Va.'s No. 3 quarterback was Scott Deke, who's on schedule to graduate this year and is not expected to return next season. The other scholarship quarterback on the roster is Marc Verica, who as a redshirt freshman didn't play in 2007.

 

Sewell not enrolled for spring
By Jay Jenkins / jjenkins@dailyprogress.com | 978-7250
January 17, 2008

At its current pace, January may go down as one of the most forgettable months in the history of Virginia’s athletic department.
After business hours on Thursday and a team meeting to inform the current players, Virginia issued a short release indicating that four players - including starting quarterback Jameel Sewell - were not currently enrolled in classes.
“Four members of the Virginia football team will not be enrolled at the University for the 2008 spring semester,” the release stated. “The four student-athletes are redshirt freshman linebacker Darnell Carter (Englewood, N.J.), junior cornerback Chris Cook (Lynchburg), redshirt freshman wide receiver Chris Dalton (Statesville, N.C.) and sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell (Richmond).”
The school did not release reasoning for the absence of the players.
“Privacy laws prohibit any additional comment or release of information regarding this matter,” the release added.
Sources, however, have confirmed that the moves were related to their academic standing and that, while handled on a case-by-case basis, all four are not expected to return in the fall.
Cook, as previously reported, was not allowed to play for Virginia in the Gator Bowl against Texas Tech.
Sewell, who has started the past 22 games including all 13 this season, passed for 2,176 yards and 12 touchdowns. The southpaw also rushed for 279 yards and four scores.
His absence explains Virginia’s desire to re-open its recruitment for a quarterback. Brent Burnette, who hails from Maryville, Tenn., is slated to visit this weekend on an official visit.
Sewell’s absence also debunks any speculation that rising sophomore quarterback Peter Lalich would be looking to transfer.
Cook, considered one of Virginia’s top cornerbacks this season, had 39 tackles and one interception in nine games. The junior also returned a fumble for a touchdown against Miami. He is eligible to enter the NFL draft.
Carter made just one tackle and Dalton did not register a catch.
None of the players could be reached for comment.

 

First two Leitao classes not contributing much
What's with all the injuries?
By Doug Doughty

For the past two-three weeks, I have been aware of an online debate about Dave Leitao’s recruiting ability but not paid much attention to it.

Leitao had the reputation of a good recruiter before he took the Virginia job and I have never considered that reputation to be undeserved, not even now.

But, I can see why some people have their doubts, particularly after the Cavaliers’ performance Wednesday in a 70-69 overtime loss to visiting Virginia Tech.

This is Leitao’s third season as Virginia’s head coach and he has had two full recruiting classes, as represented by the freshmen and sophomores on this year’s team.

Those players accounted for five points against the Hokies – three points by freshman Mike Scott and a pair of free throws by classmate Jeff Jones.

The sophomore class of Jamil Tucker, Solomon Tat, Jerome Meyinsse and Will Harris did not have a single point.

In the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the 2007 class included a fifth recruit, Ryan Pettinella, who began his career at Pennsylvania and transferred to Virginia from Monroe (N.Y.) Community College, where he did not play.

Pettinella came off the bench to contribute six points against Virginia Tech and now has scored a total of 14 points in 38 minutes over the past two games. He also has made three straight free throws after going 1-for-13 from the line to start the season.

There is another regular contributor who has joined the program during the Leitao tenure, Calvin Baker, who has started the last two games at shooting guard. However, it is misleading to characterize Baker as a Leitao recruit because he initiated contact with the Cavaliers before transferring from William and Mary.

Basically, the issue is Virginia’s sophomore and freshman classes. On-line Leitao supporters say that players like J.R. Reynolds were not world-beaters as freshmen and that’s correct, but the sophomore class needs to step it up.

It should be mentioned that Harris and freshman Sammy Zeglinski were not in uniform Wednesday night. Neither were senior Tunji Soroye and junior Lauris Mikalauskas.

That’s another issue with this team: What’s with all the injuries? Why are they always breaking down?

Harris was projected by many to be the top recruit in the 2007 class and media gadfly Jeff White and I agree, if you put Harris on the floor and left him out there for 30 minutes, that he’d probably account for 15 points and eight rebounda a game.

He plays so infrequently now that he doesn’t seem to have any confidence, and the way he walked stiff-legged to the huddle during timeouts Wednesday, he looked like a candidate for the geriatric ward.

Tucker, a 6-9 forward with a nice 3-point stroke and decent athleticism, was a guy who could have made a difference Wednesday night but he took one shot in 12 minutes.

Tat played three minutes and did not have a stat of any kid, not even a foul.

Tat’s 12-point outing in 16 minutes of garbage time at Xavier no longer looks like a sign of things to come. Meyinsse was only on the floor for four minutes Wednesday, but if he can’t find a comfort level against the young, relatively undersized Hokies, how long will it be before he’s ready for a regular dose of ACC action?

Pettinella and Baker do not receive athletic grants, so the Cavaliers only used eight scholarship players against the Hokies. Of the five who did not play, four were injured and Mustapha Farrakhan was – what do they call it ? – a healthy scratch?

Remember what Leitao said about Farrakhan before the season: “What I've noticed from him is that he can really, really shoot the basketball. I mean really shoot the basketball.”

Farrakhan proceeded to miss his first seven 3-pointers of the season before finally connecting at Xavier. He looked unsure of himself when called upon to handle the ball late in Virginia’s game with Duke and is not really an option at this time.

For much of the 2006-2007 season, Leitao talked with reporters about a “third option” behind Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds. In Reynolds’ absence this season, there frequently has not been a second option behind Singletary, and certainly none out of the freshman and sophomore classes.

Three fall signees will at least constitute the nucleus of Leitao’s 2009 class, which looks to be a good one with mega-scorer Sylven Landesberg and big men John Brandenburg and Assane Sene. Leitao has missed on some national top 25 talent, but he’s gotten a lot of players in the 50-150 range.

Virginia should be able to thrive on players like that. Heck, Singletary and Reynolds weren’t McDonald’s or Parade All-Americans, but, after the last two classes, who knows?

Maybe the freshmen and sophomores will surprise us, but they’re not doing much right now.
 

Leitao: Cavaliers play as practice
UVa's coach blames his team's skid on poor practices.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Just when college basketball started to get relevant, Virginia men's basketball is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

The Cavaliers dropped to 0-2 in the ACC with their third consecutive loss, a 70-69 overtime decision Wednesday night against visiting Virginia Tech.

The Hokies hadn't won in Charlottesville in 40 years.

Next up for the Cavaliers is a Boston College team that was the ACC's first to get to 3-0 in conference play. The Eagles (12-4) come to John Paul Jones Arena for an 8 p.m., Saturday game, after which Virginia will play six of nine games on the road.

"The season's coming fast now," UVa fifth-year senior Ryan Pettinella said. "The train's flying by us, so everyone's got to get on board and buckle down at practice."

Unacceptable practice performance has been a regular theme for coach Dave Leitao, whose three-minute, 56-second postgame news conference was short in span but long in hidden meaning.

Leitao said he was disappointed by the loss but that he might not have been as upset as his players or staff.

Some expected him to say something nice about his team's effort, but that was not the case.

"Coach Leitao was pretty calm after the game," Pettinella said. "I was surprised at how calm he was. He basically said, 'Guys, we had this coming to us. We haven't been working as hard in practice. We've got to turn that around really quick.' "

The Cavaliers (10-5) got a season-high 34 points from senior guard Sean Singletary, who was 12-for-21 from the field, but the rest of the Cavaliers were 12-for-42.

Virginia barely had a second double-figure scorer, Adrian Joseph, who finished with 11 points. Joseph and Mamadi Diane, who join Singletary as UVa's three double-figure scorers for the season, were 4-for-13 and 3-for-10, respectively.

Shooting guard Calvin Baker, making his second start of the season, went 0-for-5 from the field in the second half and overtime and missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw opportunity.

Leitao rejected the notion that Virginia is at a disadvantage when Singletary carries so much of the scoring load.

"Sean has scored big before and it hasn't been a problem," Leitao said.

Singletary had 23 points in the first half and his steal and layup with 7:13 remaining gave him 32 for the night.

At that point, UVa led 61-53, but Singletary did not have another field goal. He also missed the front end of a one-and-one with 4:33 left in regulation. It came only 10 seconds after Baker's miss at a time when the Cavs could have stretched a 61-58 lead to seven.

The Hokies (11-6, 2-1) increased their defensive pressure on Singletary down the stretch, even putting 6-foot-7 Deron Washington on UVa's 6-foot leader for a key possession in overtime.

"They double- and triple-teamed me and got a little more physical, but that's part of the game," Singletary said. "I was able to get into the teeth of the defense a couple times and get other guys shots, but we just didn't get the shots to fall."

With 30 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied, Singletary spotted a wide-open Baker on the left wing but Baker's 3-point attempt bounced off the rim and into the arms of Hokie A.D. Vassallo.

"When I took the shot, it felt good coming off my fingertips," Baker said. "That was one of the few shots that I took that actually felt like it was going in. It just felt so good. When I missed it, I was surprised."

The Cavaliers got a reprieve when Tech failed to score on a final possession that was marked by physical contact but no whistles. Then, Virginia scored the first five points of overtime and seemed to be in command, up 69-64 with 3:34 left.

UVa didn't score again and the Hokies didn't score from the field until Deron Washington's driving layup that gave Tech its first lead since the 15:29 mark of the second half.

"There were defensive lapses down the stretch," said Singletary, who had a game-high 10 rebounds for his third career double-double. "We didn't box out, we allowed second-chance points and, at the end, they got a blow-by without help. It was a fundamental breakdown. Can't have those."
 

Cavs host Boston College as team looks to break three-game skid with ACC win
Following overtime loss to Virginia Tech, Singletary aims to lead Virginia to first conference win tomorrow
Anders Sleight, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor

It's not quite do-or-die for the Virginia men's basketball team, but it's close. The Cavaliers will face a tough test Saturday night when Boston College travels to Charlottesville to take on Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena.

The Cavaliers find themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak and have recently endured blowout losses to Xavier and Duke. As if that was not demoralizing enough, Virginia suffered a heartbreaking loss Wednesday night at home to rival Virginia Tech. While most pundits would agree that it's too early in the season to begin talking about must-win games, tomorrow's game is vital to shaping the rest of the Cavaliers' season.

"You need to be concerned about all ACC games," senior forward Adrian Joseph said. "After a loss like [Virginia Tech] we just need to get back in the gym and get ready for Boston College."

During Wednesday's loss to the Hokies, Virginia appeared to be getting back on track. The Cavaliers held a lead for much of the game and led throughout the overtime period until Virginia Tech forward Deron Washington's last second shot fell in to give the Hokies the win. Though the Cavaliers' loss is a cloud, senior guard Sean Singletary's breakout performance is the silver lining. The captain was firing -- and hitting -- on all cylinders. He finished the game with 34 points and three assists.

On the other hand, such a disheartening loss is cause for concern. Virginia held an eight-point lead with approximately three minutes remaining in the game only to squander it. The Cavaliers also had several opportunities to put the game away in overtime but did not capitalize on their chances. After Wednesday's loss, Virginia coaches and players were noticeably dejected. Virginia coach Dave Leitao was reserved and distant after the game and players seemed shell-shocked.

Sophomore guard Calvin Baker, however, expressed the importance of forgetting Wednesday's disappointment and moving forward.

"We've already moved on," Baker said. "We can't dwell on [Wednesday's] game. It's over, we lost in overtime."

Boston College will bring a young but talented team to Charlottesville Saturday. The Eagles have won five of their last seven games, including a blowout win over Wake Forest and a 10-point win over No. 21 Miami Tuesday. Boston College (12-4, 3-0 ACC) is led by junior guard Tyrese Rice. In the past few seasons Rice has blossomed into one of the conference's top guards and has stepped up this season to fill the void of departed senior forward Jared Dudley, the 2007 ACC Player of the Year. Rice averages 19.6 points per game and 5.3 assists per game. Freshman guard Rakim Sanders and sophomore forward Shamari Spears each average more than 10 points per game. Although this season is seen by many as a rebuilding year for Boston College, the Eagles have already been able to exceed expectations. Considering the fact that Boston College lost Dudley and forward Sean Marshall, a dominant inside presence, this season has gone remarkably well for Coach Al Skinner and his young squad.

In order for Virginia to end its losing streak and come away with a win, it will need to exploit Boston College's inexperienced players. The Eagles' youth has contributed to home losses to Kansas, Robert Morris and Massachusetts. If the Cavaliers can put Wednesday's heartbreaking loss out of mind they might be able to grab their first conference win.

"We're not worried," Baker said. "We're going into the game confidently. We know what their strengths and weaknesses are and we'll just go in there and try to execute our game plan. Hopefully we'll come out with a win."

 

Freshman Mike Scott has given U.Va.'s injury-depleted team an unexpected boost on the boards.
By MELINDA WALDROP | |247-4634
January 18, 2008
 

At the very beginning of his basketball career, Mike Scott's affinity for shooting attracted attention — and depleted his wardrobe. But in his freshman season at Virginia, it's his rebounding knack that's turning heads.

Scott's six rebounds a game rank second for the Cavaliers, who led the nation in rebounding margin earlier this month and are outrebounding opponents by 10 per game.

"I have a mindset of getting every rebound, offensive and defensive," Scott said. "It's all about technique and heart and determination."

Those characteristics were evident early, when Michael Scott would send his son off to preschool on wintry mornings wearing a hat and gloves.

"One object doesn't make it back home, day in and day out, because it would turn into a basketball while he was sitting there in preschool," Michael Scott said.

The missing items were launched into trash cans, milk crates or boxes on the teacher's desk — and stayed there when Mike was caught practicing his shooting or forgot about his makeshift basketball.

Michael learned two things: Gloves were cheaper at the dollar store, and his son was going to be a basketball player.

"He always had the love for the game," Michael Scott said.

That love was nurtured through a childhood spent tearing up youth leagues. (Michael Scott said his son scored 26, 31 and 45 points in one three-day tournament.) But it was tested during Mike's freshman and sophomore years at Deep Creek High in Chesapeake.

"I didn't like what his grades looked like, so therefore there was no basketball," Michael Scott said. "He knew that was my standard rule."

Michael Scott has made the rules since 3-year-old Mike came to live with him in a mutual decision made between Michael and Mike's mother. A 31-year-old bachelor, Michael was used to coming and going as he pleased, but "when it came down to him moving in with me, it was simple after that," he said. "I knew what I had to do. We just buckled down and got it together."

Once Mike got it together in the classroom, he averaged 22.5 points and 11 rebounds as a junior, then 24 and 13.5 as a senior. Recruiting interest, though, was mild, and Mike's college choice came down to VCU and Temple.

Feeling a connection with then-Owls coach John Chaney, Mike opted for Temple. Then Chaney retired, and Mike left.

Faced with few options, Mike decided to hone his game at Hargrave Military Academy, where he averaged 18.5 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Virginia joined schools such as N.C. State, Oklahoma and Clemson in offering scholarships to Scott, who liked Virginia's coaching staff and team chemistry.

Scott's contribution to the Cavaliers has been immediate. With senior center Tunjji Soroye battling hip and back problems and junior forward Lars Mikalauskas out with a shoulder injury, Scott has started six games, averaging 16 minutes and 6.2 points.

"I talk to him during the game, after the game, before the game, telling him, 'You know you've got a great opportunity, you're a freshman and you're starting. Try to take advantage of this,' " said senior guard Adrian Joseph, leading the Cavs with 7.8 rebounds per game. "He's been trying to do a good job. He comes early, early before games and early before practice, and tries to get shots up. ... He's a great inside presence."

If Virginia can get healthy in the post, Scott, 6-foot-8 and 233 pounds, could make an even bigger impact from his more natural small-forward position.

"I've got to play better and be stronger with the ball, (do) more rebounding, make smart decisions, play defense and run," Scott said.

"I still think there's more to come."

His proud papa, in the stands for most games, seconds that.

"I think (Virginia fans) truly haven't seen him play yet."