White: 'Sixth Man' Plays Crucial Role at JPJ
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 01/01/2010
By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Back when Jason Williford played basketball at UVa, the team's home was University Hall. It didn't seat much more than 8,400, but when U-Hall was packed, as it often was in an era when the Cavaliers regularly advanced to the NCAA tournament, the joint rocked.
"It was electric," recalled Williford, a 1995 graduate who's now an assistant coach at his alma mater.
That adjective hasn't been used much recently to describe the atmosphere in John Paul Jones Arena, into which the Wahoos moved after the 2005-06 season, but new coach Tony Bennett hopes that's changing.
It took fans at JPJ awhile to find their voices Wednesday night. Once they did, though, the crowd played its role of sixth man to perfection.
"The fans really got into it. That's what really helped us pull the game through," sophomore swingman Sylven Landesberg said after Virginia rallied to beat 24th-ranked UAB 72-63.
The Blazers' coach also singled out UVa supporters.
"We scheduled this game because we thought the crowd would be bad, with no students here, and that would give us an edge," Mike Davis said. "But they came out of the woodwork tonight and gave the team a lot of energy. It's not a home-court advantage unless you have a good crowd, and they had one here tonight."
Bennett said: "What I appreciated the most was that the fans acknowledged and appreciated some good defensive stands. And that, to me, brings more joy than anything. They recognize when the guys were working and sliding."
No Cavalier works harder on defense than Jontel Evans. The first-year point guard had two superlative steals against UAB, and his effort was not lost on the crowd.
"I always say, when your point guard can heat up the ball, not only does it ignite your team and start your defense, but I think the fans can see that too," Bennett said Thursday. "They really got revved up when they saw a few good defensive possessions, and it gave us a nice lift. That's what a home-court advantage is."
The volume increased dramatically in the second half as UVa (7-4) battled back from a seven-point deficit, peaking perhaps when senior center Jerome Meyinsse was fouled for a questionable call with 11:31 left.
Fans howled in disbelief. Bennett, with associate head coach Ritchie McKay holding him back, informed the officials loudly and clearly that he agreed with the crowd.
In the end, though, the call helped the 'Hoos. UAB's Kenneth Cooper missed his two free throws, and fans stayed engaged the rest of the way.
"The energy was incredible," Williford said.
"It was an awesome atmosphere," junior guard Mustapha Farrakhan said. "Words can't even describe how it felt out there. It was beautiful. Hopefully that can continue. It really helped energize the players."
The arena can get louder. The official attendance of 9,444 was the second-largest of the season for a men's game -- the opener drew 10,787 -- but well under the capacity of 14,593. UVa's next game is Tuesday night against Texas-Pan American at JPJ.
"Can I envision what it's like if you have it packed?" Bennett said. "I guess I can't yet, but I'm excited to, hopefully."
Large and raucous crowds were the norm during UVa's inaugural season at JPJ. In 2006-07, the Cavaliers' average attendance there was 13,521, and fans had plenty to cheer. Led by guards Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds, the 'Hoos won a share of the ACC's regular-season title and later advanced to the NCAA tourney's second round.
In 2007-08, however, the program's slide began, and fans started to lose interest in then-coach Dave Leitao's program. In a season when they won only five ACC games and finished 17-16 overall, the Cavaliers averaged 11,705 at home.
In 2008-09, average attendance for men's games at JPJ dropped to 10,219, and the team's record plummeted to 10-18. UVa parted ways with Leitao last spring, but fans have been slow to return to JPJ.
Through seven home games, the average attendance is 8,727. Students will be back on Grounds soon, though, and the start of ACC play is looming, so attendance figures to pick up.
The players can't wait.
"I think [fans] play a bigger role than they might know," Landesberg said. "Just being able to distract the opposing team while they're shooting free throws or just making so much noise when they're on offense, is really distracting. They can't really hear the plays that are being called.
"And on our end, when we hear them cheering for us like that, it really pumps us up and gets us excited."
Bennett said fan support at JPJ is critically important, "especially with the talent of the ACC. Any X-factor you can get, you need. Any little advantage is significant. So we need that. That was without the students [Wednesday night], so it was nice to see.
"I always appreciate people that come and support us even when we're not ranked, we're not the finished product at all, but people that are faithful and loyal fans. That's one of my motivations: hopefully in time to really reward them with a high level of basketball.
"It's not there consistently yet, but our hope is in time, over the years, those who are faithful now will really be rewarded later on."

 

Scott glad to be back on court
By Whitey Reid
Published: January 1, 2010
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A little over three weeks ago, Mike Scott had a noticeably unpleasant look on his face as he hobbled off of Auburn’s court wearing street clothes and a protective walking boot on his right foot.

“It hurt watching the Auburn game,” Scott said. “If I could have played, we probably would have won that game.”

That dejected look was nowhere to be found in the aftermath of Virginia’s electric upset win over No. 24 UAB on Wednesday night at John Paul Jones Arena.

Scott, playing in his first game since the team’s loss on Nov. 30 to Penn State, looked sharper than expected against the Blazers. The 6-foot-9 junior scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.

“It felt good for coach Bennett to have confidence in me, even though he knows I’m only about 85 percent,” Scott said. “I came in and tried not to force anything and to just play some defense, and try and rebound everything I could.”

Bennett was overjoyed to have Scott back. Without the Chesapeake native in the lineup, UVa’s low-post options were extremely limited.

“He was not at full strength. You could see that. I’m sure he’ll feel it [Thursday],” Bennett said. “He only really had three practices, but he had seven rebounds and some big post moves.

“A couple of times, he got beat down the floor. I think he’s got a little rust on him, but he’s a threat. I think we’re a bit of a different team when you have him from an inside-outside attack. He has a nice feel. I’m looking forward to seeing him get stronger and stronger because there are some things that we’re doing offensively that I think will really benefit him.”

Scott scored two huge baskets in crunch time against UAB. First, with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining, he took a feed from Sylven Landesberg in traffic and scored to put Virginia up by four. A minute later, Scott converted on a pretty drive to the hoop for what turned out to be UVa’s final field goal of the game — the Cavs knocked down six of eight free throws the rest of the way.

“[Scott] makes such a big difference — defensively and getting rebounds,” Virginia guard Sammy Zeglinski said. “It relieves a lot of pressure off the guards — just being able to dump it into him and to be able to move off of him.”

Added Landsberg: “He’s just a great presence to have inside, and he can step out and hit the 15-footer.

“[And] he’s just so aggressive on the boards. You know if a shot goes up, there’s a great chance that he’s going to get the ball.”

Dunks

Center Jerome Meyinsse had a season-high six points against UAB, while guard Calvin Baker had a season-high six assists. ... Freshman guard Jontel Evans had a career-high nine points, including two clutch free throws in the final minute. “Jeff Jones was on me all week in practice, calling me ‘Shaq’, because I was missing [free throws] in practice,” Evans said. “That was running through my mind. I was like, ‘Man, I have to hit these.’”
 

Uva football coach London interviews alumnus standout Shawn Moore
Mike London has talked to the former UVa great about assisting with QBs or wide receivers.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

Shawn Moore, one of the most distinguished players in Virginia football history, has interviewed for a spot on the staff of new UVa head coach Mike London.

Moore, a Martinsville product who holds the UVa record for career total offense, said he hopes to make a decision on his future by the middle of next week.

Moore currently is an assistant headmaster at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., where he also works with the varsity football team.

Moore, 41, played quarterback in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and has conducted quarterback camps since the end of his playing career.

He said that London has talked to him about coaching the UVa quarterbacks or wide receivers.

Moore has not coached at the college level and has never recruited, "but that's one of the aspects of the job that appeals to me," he said.

He already has contacts in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference through his son, Michael, a sophomore defensive end at DeMatha. Michael Moore (6-3, 240) has "big-time" potential, according to DeMatha coach Bill McGregor.

Whether Moore would coach the quarterbacks or wide receivers would hinge on UVa's search for a new offensive coordinator.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback coach and one-time Cavaliers assistant Bill Musgrave has advised London to continue his search as if Musgrave will not be available.

Mike Farigalli, London's offensive coordinator at Richmond, has accepted an unspecified position on the Virginia staff.

Farigalli is a candidate for coordinator, but London continues to consider various options.

Another ex-Spider joins Virginia staff
By Jay Jenkins
Published: January 1, 2010
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The revolving door between the football programs at the University of Virginia and Richmond continues to spin.

On Thursday, Virginia coach Mike London announced that Steve Atkinson would become the Cavaliers’ director of player development, becoming the fourth staff member to leave Richmond and follow London to Charlottesville.

“I have been lucky to spend the past two seasons with Steve and he will be bringing a lot of practical experience to UVa,” London said in a statement. “He has a vast knowledge of the areas that impact our student-athletes and will be an excellent off-the-field resource for them to maximize their total experience at UVa.

“He will be a tremendous benefit to the program.”

Atkinson, a former defensive coordinator at Fitchburg (Mass.) State College, worked at Richmond the past two seasons, handling the day-to-day operations in the program’s office as the program won the 2008 FCS national title and shared the CAA championship this season.

Previously, London announced that Vincent Brown, Jeff Hanson and Mike Faragalli would join his staff after working at Richmond.

After London was hired by Virginia, former Cavalier wide receiver coach Latrell Scott was named the new coach at Richmond. Another former Virginia assistant, running backs coach Wayne Lineburg, is expected to be named the offensive coordinator at Richmond, a job he held from 2004-2006.

Reportedly, former Virginia linebackers coach Bob Trott could be named the defensive coordinator at Richmond.

There are still vacancies on the coaching staff at Virginia, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, but additions are expected to be made following the completion of the NFL’s regular season on Sunday.
 

Linebackers coach Jim Reid to leave Dolphins
by George Richmond on January 1, 2010 \ thephins.com

Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid will coach his final game for the Dolphins on Sunday.

That’s because Reid is headed to the University of Virginia where he will serve as defensive coordinator.

Head coach Mike London, father of former Dolphins wide receiver Brandon London, is putting together his inaugural staff after being named head coach last month. London spent six seasons (2001-04, 06-07) at UVA under Parcells lieutenant Al Groh, including two years as defensive coordinator. The same position Reid will now fill for London.

Reid joined the Dolphins in 2008 following two seasons as head coach at the Virginia Military Institute.

Wright nears record
By Jay Jenkins
Published: January 2, 2010
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If Lady Luck has her way, Monica Wright will break the all-time scoring record inside the friendly confines of John Paul Jones Arena.

Standing 78 points away from breaking the school’s long-standing mark, Wright will accomplish a feat today with just one point as No. 23 Virginia plays at Colorado at 5:30 p.m.

Wright, a senior, enters the game tied with former center Heather Burge for second place, having scored 2,135 points in her four-year career.

The scoring record held by Dawn Staley, however, is not a pressing issue for Wright. She would prefer to get her team prepared for what lies ahead in ACC competition.

“[The scoring record] is there — somewhat — but it is really a non-issue right now,” Wright said. “It is not in my mind right now. It is a great accomplishment — being in some good company.

“I will be honored but I am really trying not to pay attention to it.”

Outside of a home game Monday against St. Bonaventure, Virginia (9-3) is nearing the most important part of its season with issues looming about its rotation.

Despite those questions, the Cavaliers won their annual Cavalier Classic by knocking off Samford and Liberty last week.

“To be able to come back to our home court after Christmas and have back-to back games really helps us get our rhythm and timing back,” Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. “These were two great teams here [in the title game against Liberty], teams that will be in the NCAA tournament.”

Today’s game, should Virginia win, should do wonders for the Cavaliers’ RPI. Colorado, coached by former Cavalier Kathy McConnell-Miller, stands at 9-2 overall.

Virginia whipped the Buffaloes last year at JPJ, running away with a 77-43 victory.