Virginia, Hokies clashing again
By Whitelaw Reid / Daily Progress staff writer
February 11, 2006

Virginia point guard Sean Singletary broke into a wide smile when he was reminded of the team's last clash with Virginia Tech.
During that Jan. 15 game, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg got on the PA system at Cassell Coliseum. He was supposed to tell fans not to throw objects onto the court. Instead, he implored the crowd to cheer louder.

The mini-pep rally propelled the Hokies, who went on a 13-3 run. However, Singletary put Virginia on his back, scoring 10 straight points to lead the Cavaliers to a 54-49 victory.

Virginia's lone ACC road triumph is one of the most important of the Dave Leitao Era. It gave the team confidence heading into home games with North Carolina and Miami (both wins).

Tonight, the in-state rivals hook up again - this time at University Hall. For Virginia, the game could prove equally vital.

The Cavaliers (11-9, 5-5 ACC) have upcoming road games at Florida State and Clemson that sandwich a home date with Boston College. Clearly, they need to scoop up every win they can as they head for the homestretch.

"It will be a huge game," Singletary said. "We just have to be ready. Every ACC game is a must-win."

After losing its first six league games, Virginia Tech (13-10, 3-7) has won three of its last four, including a 75-74 overtime victory at Clemson on Tuesday.

"When you dig yourselves a little bit of a hole, it's hard to get yourself out," said Virginia coach Dave Leitao, referring to the Hokies' early-season struggles. "I think what they did - was once they knew things weren't going their way - they did a really good job of batting down the hatches and reenergizing and refocusing themselves.

"We're in [for] a battle because the team is a whole lot different - not just physically - but mentally than when we faced them last."

A main reason why Virginia was able to steal a win in Blacksburg was its ability to hold Coleman Collins, one of the best post players in the ACC, in check. Collins, who is averaging a team-leading 16.2 points, scored just 14 and appeared frustrated for much of the game.

"The coaches did a good job of laying out the scouting report," Singletary said, "and I guess we did a good job of paying attention because we were able to neutralize him."

Collins recently missed two games when he returned home to be with his father, who was ill. He's come off the bench since. In the Hokies' win over Clemson, he scored 16.

"He's tall and skilled and has some aggression," Singletary said. "Anyone that tall and skilled is going to [present] problems."

In the first meeting between the schools, Virginia freshman Lars Mikalauskas was ineffective. He was in foul trouble for the umpteenth time, and barely touched the ball on offense.

But since then, the 6-foot-8 Mikalauskas has been a different player. His points have increased. His rebounds are up. Ditto for his confidence.

Mikalauskas has unveiled post moves that haven't been on display since his days at Blue Ridge School. He has also shown a knack for scoring key buckets that seem to give Virginia an emotional lift.

"Lars has been someone whose progressed enough to where we can get the ball to him and not only get some points out of him," Leitao said, "but make the defense responsible for having to guard people.

"For a large portion of the season, there wasn't [a post player on the team] who you said 'Hey, you got [to guard] him.' Now, I think with his emergence and Jason [Cain's] emergence, there are some more points we can get."

A key for Virginia will be taking care of the basketball. The Hokies' guards love to play the passing lanes and ignite the team's fastbreak with steals.

Singletary is expecting a tough game.

"I know they'll come out with intensity," he said. "I know they'll be ready to play, but we'll be ready for them."

DUNKS: Although Virginia guard T.J. Bannister (sports hernia injury) said on Tuesday he would definitely be ready for tonight's game, Leitao didn't seem so sure on Friday. "He's still day to day," Leitao said. ?Virginia leads the all-time series 75-46. The schools split last season's games. Each won on the other's home floor.

Leitao has been impressed with Virginia Tech freshman A.D. Vassallo, who was named ACC Freshman of the Week for the second straight week. "Vassallo is a tremendous addition, which they were not getting earlier in the season when we played them," he said.

Leitao on the impact that the in-state game has on recruiting: "From an overall perspective it matters, but it doesn't matter as much as I think it would in football."

Virginia Tech coaches will be wearing sneakers tonight as part of Coaches vs. Cancer Awareness Weekend.

 

On, guards
The Hokies-Cavs game could be a battle of the backcourts.
By Mark Berman
981-3125

There is no question that the two men's basketball teams squaring off at University Hall tonight are carried by their starting backcourts.

The question is, which tandem is better?

Jamon Gordon and Zabian Dowdell stated their case with memorable performances in Virginia Tech's 75-74 overtime win at Clemson on Wednesday. Gordon had 21 points and 16 rebounds -- the most rebounds by a Hokie guard since Bucky Keller had 17 against Richmond in 1960. Dowdell, who had 19 points, sank a game-tying 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in regulation and the winning jumper with 56.2 seconds left in OT. The two juniors combined for nine of Tech's school-record 21 steals.

"We're the best backcourt in the whole ACC," Gordon said before practice Thursday.

But Virginia (11-9, 5-5 ACC), which hosts Tech (13-10, 3-7) at 8 tonight, also boasts a formidable pair of guards. Sophomore point guard Sean Singletary ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring (18.1 ppg) and second in assists (4.9 apg). He has scored at least 20 points in seven games this season. Former Roanoke Catholic standout J.R. Reynolds averages 15.5 points and has scored in double figures the past 14 games.

"They've been the heart and soul of our team," UVa coach Dave Leitao said Friday. "I'm very confident in our backcourt ... and I know that with the two of them down at Virginia Tech, [Coach] Seth [Greenberg] feels the same way, that he's got two real good ones.

"So I'd just like to enjoy the matchup. Obviously, I'm the coach at Virginia, so I'm a little bit biased [on which backcourt is better], ... but at the same point in time, I fully respect the talent that they have."

Dowdell averages 15.7 points and Gordon 10.8 points, but scoring is only part of their repertoire.

"They both can shoot the ball, they both can handle the ball, they both play defense," Leitao said. "The fact that we rely on our guards so much means that we've got to make sure we control some of the things they do well to give our guys an advantage."

The Hokies have won three of their last four games. In the three wins, they had at least 10 steals and forced at least eight more turnovers than they committed. Clemson had 25 turnovers Wednesday.

"Our hands are a lot more active on the defensive end" lately, said Dowdell, who ranks second in the ACC with an average of 2.4 steals. "We try to anticipate a lot and use our quickness and length to get our hands on passes."

Greenberg said Dowdell and Gordon have a good act, showing an opponent a passing lane and then taking it away. Tech leads the ACC in turnover margin, forcing an average of 5.7 more turnovers than it commits.

UVa had 21 turnovers in its 54-49 win over the Hokies last month, when Dowdell and Gordon had seven of Tech's 12 steals.

"Last time, they both had ... very quick hands, and anytime we drove the ball, they were there to get their hands on it," Leitao said. "They command a lot more attention than almost anyone else in that department because they're so good at it."

Gordon leads the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio, but it's his work on the boards that has been eye-popping of late. He had 14 rebounds in a Jan. 28 win at Wake Forest. He had two big rebounds off Clemson misses in the final 30 seconds of overtime.

"I just go down there and sneak and let the big man tip it a couple times, and I just jump up and snatch it," said Gordon, who is averaging 6.3 rebounds.

Dowdell also shined Wednesday. His 3-pointer from the top of the key sent the game into overtime.

Dowdell also delivered in OT. After Coleman Collins missed two foul shots, Markus Sailes got the rebound and passed to Dowdell, who hit the winning jumper.

"He's like the ringmaster. He likes to be center stage," Greenberg said. "He's not afraid of missing."

Singletary and Reynolds are big reasons Tech is looking up at UVa in the standings.

"Reynolds is so strong, so physical, that he has the ability to put you on his hip and get the ball where he wants to go," Greenberg said. "Singletary is a guy that imposes his competitive spirit on the rest of his team. He has the ability to dominate the game from the point guard position. He changes pace better than any guard I've seen in a long, long time. ... He's a fearless warrior."

In UVa's win at Tech, Singletary had all 13 of the Cavs' points during an eight-minute stretch in the second half.

"We can't let Singletary do what he did at the end of the last game," Gordon said. "I take it upon myself not to let him do that."

Reynolds, a junior, and Singletary each had 16 points in last month's meeting.

"They only have good games with ball screens," Gordon said. "We've just got to stop ball screens and just stay in front of them and try to force turnovers."

So, which backcourt is the best?

"Dowdell and Gordon, no doubt," Dowdell said.
 

Change evident for Tech, U.Va.
Mikalauskas and Gordon have grown into their roles with Cavaliers and Hokies
BY JEFF WHITE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Feb 11, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Much has changed since Virginia Tech met the University of Virginia in men's basketball Jan. 15 at Cassell Coliseum. To wit:

The Hokies have moved out of the ACC cellar. They didn't get their first conference victory until Jan. 28, but they've won three of their past four games to climb into a tie for ninth with Clemson.
Laurynas Mikalauskas has become a low-post scoring option for the Cavaliers, who got five fouls and no points from the Lithuanian in their 54-49 win in Blacksburg. Mikalauskas, a 6-8, 241-pound freshman, has averaged 8.3 points since that game.
Jamon Gordon has transformed himself into a smaller version of Ben Wallace on the boards. Gordon, a 6-3 junior guard, has grabbed 50 rebounds in his past five games, including a career-high 16 on Wednesday night in Tech's overtime win at Clemson.
The second and final regular-season meeting between U.Va. (5-5, 11-9) and Tech (3-7, 13-10) comes tonight at University Hall. The game is sold out, though bad weather may keep away some fans. Those who make it to the arena will see two teams that aren't in the ACC title hunt but still have plenty of motivation.

"We're trying to make the [NCAA] tournament," said Tech guard Markus Sailes, a Varina High graduate. "We don't feel it is out of reach. Anything can happen in this league. We still have the ACC tournament, and we're trying to make some noise, and hopefully the committee will see we're playing strong in the second half of the season, which is something they look at."

Like Dave Leitao's Cavaliers, Seth Greenberg's Hokies are more likely to end up in the NIT than in the NCAAs. But U.Va. can realistically hope to finish .500 or better in ACC play for the first time in five years.

"We're right in the mix of things," junior guard J.R. Reynolds said.

Tonight's game matches two of the ACC's top backcourts. Sophomore Sean Singletary (18.1 ppg, 4.9 apg) and Reynolds (15.5 ppg) will battle Tech juniors Zabian Dowdell (15.7 ppg) and Gordon (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg). Dowdell is second among ACC players in steals, and Singletary is fifth. Gordon is seventh.

Asked yesterday to compare the two sets of guards, Leitao declined.

"I think it goes game to game," he said. "I don't talk about who's better. I fully believe and am confident in our backcourt. I know with [Dowdell and Gordon] at Virginia Tech, Seth feels the same way."

At Cassell last month, Singletary, Reynolds and swingman Adrian Joseph scored 43 of U.Va.'s 54 points. The Cavaliers' three post players -- Mikalauskas, Jason Cain and Tunji Soroye -- combined for seven points, all by Cain. Soroye still is no threat with the ball, but the development of Mikalauskas and Cain has given U.Va. a more balanced attack.

"I think we've made progress [in the low post]," Leitao said. "But I keep saying, we're nowhere near where we have to be. We're nowhere near where a lot of teams in this league are."

NOTE: Expect to see coaches as well as players in sneakers tonight at U-Hall. Leitao and Greenberg and their assistants will be showing support for Coaches vs. Cancer, a fundraising collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since 1993, the NABC has helped raise more than $25 million for the American Cancer Society, according to officials.

 

Ballard, Adams lift Cavaliers in season opener
From Staff Reports / Charlottesville Daily Progress
February 11, 2006

CONWAY, S.C. - A veteran pitcher and a first-year infielder both sparkled Friday as the Virginia baseball team enjoyed its 2006 regular-season debut with a 5-3 victory over The Citadel.
Senior lefthander Mike Ballard allowed one earned run in seven innings and freshman second baseman David Adams blasted a two-run homer. UVa built an early 4-0 lead in the opener of the Springmaid Beach Resort Tournament at Watson Stadium.

"Anytime you play your first game and you get your first win, it feels good," UVa coach Brian O'Connor said. "We have been practicing against each other for six months now, so it's great to compete against another team."

Ballard notched four strikeouts and had one walk in seven innings. Sean Doolittle and Casey Lambert each pitched an inning in relief. Lambert struck out two in recording his first save this season.

"For [Ballard] to go out there and to be able to give us seven strong innings and to be able to leave the first game with a lead, that was outstanding," O'Connor said. "He only threw 84 pitches. That is pretty efficient."

The Cavaliers, who play Coastal Carolina today at 3:30 p.m., started four newcomers against The Citadel. In addition to Adams, catcher Beau Seabury, third baseman Jeremy Farrell and right fielder Brandon March all made their UVa debut.

"Farrell made three great plays on bunts or swinging bunts, coming in on the ball," the third-year coach said. "It was good to see [the four newcomers] out there and to have success. There is no doubt about it. They are talented players."

The Cavaliers scored twice in their first at bat when Doolittle and left fielder Brandon Guyer each lofted a sacrifice fly. Center fielder Mike Mitchell and Marsh each smacked singles and executed a double steal before they scored.

In the third inning, Adams drilled a 3-2 pitch over the fence. Adams collected two of the Cavaliers' five hits, and made the team's only two errors.

Virginia's last run came in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on the corners, Guyer scored when designated hitter Tom Hagan hit into a double play.

The Cavaliers will also play host Coastal Carolina on Sunday afternoon. The two programs will meet for only the second time today. Coastal Carolina finished 50-16 last season and won the Big South Conference regular-season title.

Coastal Carolina won its season opener on Friday, dominating Campbell 9-0 with a 12-hit attack.

Virginia plays its home opener on Wednesday, hosting Old Dominion for a 3 p.m. in-state duel at Davenport Field.

 

Devvarman sparks victory
By Whitelaw Reid / Daily Progress staff writer
February 11, 2006

University of Virginia sophomore Somdev Devvarman and Texas A&M's Mohamed Dakki were engaged in a grueling No. 2 singles match on Friday night at Boar's Head Sports Club.
The two blasted ground strokes at each other for the better part of a set.

Then, one point changed everything.

Devvarman was leading 2-1 in a first-set tiebreaker when he drilled a forehand up the line for an apparent winner. However, the shot was called out by Dakki. The linesman concurred.

"Are you kidding me," exclaimed an incredulous Devvarman.

"It wasn't even close," responded Dakki.

Dakki probably should have kept his mouth shut. On the next point, Devvarman rifled a forehand winner. He then won four out of the next five points in easy fashion to win the first set.

Devvarman easily broke Dakki in the first game of the second set. Dakki was done. Devvarman won the second set, 6-2.

Devvarman's win clinched the team victory for Virginia, which went on to win 6-1.

Virginia, ranked No. 6 in the country, improved to 7-2. No. 24 Texas A&M dropped to 0-3.

After the match, Devvarman said the dispute with Dakki fired him up.

"I didn't think he was playing fair and showing good sportsmanship," Devvarman said. "That just got me [mad], but I think it helped me."

Virginia coach Brian Boland concurred.

"Somdev is a true professional," Boland said. "He got caught up in a disagreement and used it to his advantage. He refocused and did a good job. For only being a second-year, his professionalism is at a high level."

Virginia won four out of the other five singles matches. Rylan Rizza, Treat Huey, Marko Miklo and Jarret Chirico were all winners.

However, one of the keys to the Cavaliers' success was sweeping the doubles matches at the evening's outset.

"That gave us the momentum going into singles," Devvarman said.

The teams of Devvarman/Huey, Rizza/Nick Meythaler and Darrin Cohen/Doug Stewart were victorious.

A crowd of 541 - the second highest of the season - was a huge factor. The Hoo Crew student cheering section was in full effect.

Devvarman said its presence made a big difference.

"Those guys were just unbelievable," he said. "They got in (Texas A&M's) heads and gave us an advantage. It was nice because (in road matches) everyone is usually in our faces."

After two early-season losses, Boland said he likes the way his team is now playing.

"I feel like every week we're getting better," he said. "We've had a few bumps, but if you want to play your best tennis in May, you have to go through some tough times during the season."

Virginia will face another challenge on Sunday when it hosts No. 20 Texas. The match begins at 10:30 a.m.

"Texas has a great program, historically one of the best in the country," Boland said. "We have to get up for every single match to continue to have success and get better."