No. 20 Indiana, behind 21 points from freshman and tournament MVP Bracey Wright, defeated Virginia 70-63 on Wednesday night to capture the Maui Invitational championship.

Marshall Strickland added 15 points for the Hoosiers (3-0), last season's national runner-up.

Virginia (3-1), which beat Kentucky in the semifinals Tuesday, received 14 points and 11 rebounds from Travis Watson, who was plagued by both foul trouble and a bruised left hip. Elton Brown had 12 for the Cavaliers.

The game was a nip-and-tuck affair until about the 10-minute mark of the second half when the game turned on a pair of 3-pointers by the Hoosiers.

First, Strickland connected on a trey while being fouled by UVa's Keith Jenifer with 9:58 remaining to give Indiana a 51-44 lead. Then, Indiana's 6-foot-9 forward Jeff Newton connected on a 3-pointer as the shot clock approached zero to make it 54-45 with 8:47 left.

A steal and layup by Wright pushed the lead to 56-45, causing UVa to take a timeout. The move slowed the Hoosiers' run, but Virginia only managed to get within six the rest of the way, 61-55, with 4:52 remaining after a pair of Todd billet 3s.

Virginia led 33-32 at halftime as the first half was as back and forth as the score suggests. Neither team created any considerable advantage in the first 20 minutes and the teams combined for six lead changes. Twice Indiana led by as many as six and UVa led by six once.

After an Elton Brown 3-pointer with 1:08 left before intermission Virginia led 33-29 and came down the court with a chance to expand that advantage. Devin Smith, however, was called for a charge and then Wright buried a 3-pointer to account for the halftime score.

Virginia was attempting to beat ranked opponents in back-to-back days for the first time in 25 years. During the 1977 ACC tournament in Greensboro, Virginia defeated No. 16 Wake Forest in the quarterfinals and then downed No. 18 Clemson in the semifinals.

"At that time, I would have thought they were crazy," Schaub said.

Yet despite a rough start, the junior quarterback became the seventh Cavalier to win the award, joining Tiki Barber (1998), Matt Blundin (1991), Shawn Moore (1990), Barry Word (1985), Frank Quayle (1968) and Bob Davis (1966).

In voting released Wednesday, Schaub was named on 29 of 74 ballots cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Media Association. Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson, the league's defensive player of the year, received 18 votes, while N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers had 13. UVa receiver Billy McMullen was one of 12 players to garner at least one vote.

"It shows that our team and our program are starting to be recognized more and more," said Schaub, who also was named the All-ACC quarterback and the conference's offensive player of the year.

In 12 games, Schaub has broken every major school passing record for a single season, including completions (260), attempts (373), yards (2,751) and touchdowns (26). He leads the ACC and is fourth nationally in passing efficiency.

UVa coach Al Groh said Schaub's performance is the main reason the Cavaliers (8-4, 6-2 ACC) have far surpassed expectations going into their final regular-season game at No. 22 Virginia Tech on Saturday.

"He's doing a terrific job," Groh said. "And for all the other things we might say about the team - the running game is better, these players are improving, our nose tackle is playing better - the positive things that have occurred for this team during the course of the year only happen when your quarterback has the ability to lift your team above what else it might be."

Groh estimates Virginia would have at least two fewer victories without Schaub at quarterback. "That's why it's such a vital position to your team and why it's so important to have the right guy in there," he said.

Of course, it took a while for Schaub to gain Groh's confidence. He split time with Bryson Spinner last season, with each starting six games. When Spinner decided to transfer, Schaub became the clearcut No. 1 quarterback. But he struggled in the opener against Colorado State and was benched in favor of freshman Marques Hagans.

Asked if that shook his confidence, Schaub said, "Not really. I have tremendous confidence in myself and my teammates have confidence in me. They know sometimes you just don't have your best day. Sometimes things just don't go right for you. … You just have to try not to let things like that affect you."

The turning point, Schaub said, came the next week when he threw three touchdown passes in relief against Florida State. Since then, he has had one remarkable game after another. He probably clinched the award last Saturday, when he completed 23 of 27 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-13 rout of Maryland.

Schaub said becoming ACC player of the year wasn't something he thought about, partly because he was focused on winning games and also because he didn't consider himself a strong candidate.

"I never really let that creep into my mind and I didn't really think it was a possibility," Schaub said. "But other people obviously thought otherwise."

Schaub will be honored at the ACC awards banquet in Atlanta next Monday. His parents, who live in nearby Marietta, Ga., will be able to attend.

Who knows? It may not be his last award. The three quarterbacks ahead of Schaub in the national ratings are seniors. Groh said he would not be opposed to promoting Schaub for the Heisman Trophy next season, though he joked that the school won't be distributing any Matt Schaub bobble-head dolls.

To Schaub, that's a good thing. "That would be one ugly bobble-head doll," he said.

2002 is no exception as the Cavaliers and Hokies are again battling for state recruiting superiority. Groh's staff broke Tech's grip on the state last year, but Beamer's staff is trying to regain the upperhand this season.

Of the 25 blue-chippers on the 12th Annual Gold List, a compilation of the state's top college gridiron prospects, 10 are already committed to either Groh's Hoos or Beamer's Hokies, while another 11 of them are considering Tech, UVa or both.

The Gold List was compiled with the strong assistance of Mike Farrell, the East Coast recruiting analyst for Rivals 100. Farrell, who talks daily with college and high school coaches and the recruits themselves, also reviewed game tape of every prospect on The Daily Progress' Gold List and Silver List. We also offer a glimpse into the future, with a very preliminary list of high school junior prospects.

Virginia Beach defensive back Robbie Catteron leads the list of UVa's five in-state commitments, followed by: Woodbridge running back James Terry; Jefferson Forest offensive lineman Eddie Pinigis; giant-sized West Springfield offensive lineman Marshall Ausberry; and home-grown Charlottesville High defensive lineman Chris Johnson.

Virginia Tech also has commitments from strong prospects, including the only member of the top five who has already made his decision, Centreville defensive lineman Matt Welsh. Other Hokie commitments include: Robinson tight end John Kinzer; Amherst defensive end Barry Booker; Danville running back Kenny Lewis, who is following in his father's footsteps; and Great Bridge defensive tackle Carlton Powell.

Six other prospects are considering both UVa and Tech, while three more are thinking about becoming Hokies and two others have only Virginia high on their list.

Who knows how much impact Saturday's showdown between the age-old state rivals will have on the final decisions of these 11 prospects.

The Gold List's "Mr. Touchdown," regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the state is Phoebus High defensive back Phillip Brown, who is considering the Hokies, the Hoos, Tennessee, Clemson, Maryland and N.C. State. Tech and Tennessee appear to be at the top of his list.

"He's a great skilled player, a great kick returner," said Phoebus coach Bill Dee. "He can play almost any skilled position and has played both tailback and wide receiver for us in addition to cornerback."

Brown, who has 4.3 speed, has returned seven kicks for touchdowns this season. He has also returned two of his eight interceptions for TDs, has rushed for more than 500 yards, has 20 receptions for 360 yards, including six for scores.

"In one game last year, he returned five punts for touchdowns," said Dee. "This year, everybody kicked out of bounds."

But colleges like him most as a cornerback and a return specialist.

"He hasn't given up but one or two catches all year," said Dee. "He just locks receivers down. People have tried to throw at him, but he's broken two games open with interceptions."

Four Horsemen

The next four players are our traditional Four Horsemen, who make up our top five.

Bethel High defensive end Chris Ellis is the No. 2 prospect in the state. He is considering Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Tennessee.

"It's rare to find a kid his size [6-foot-5, 230] who can play with his hands," said Bethel coach Tracy Parker. "Anytime you can combine that size with a kid who can run and play with his hands, then he's head and shoulders above the other guys."

Ellis has the frame to play at 270-plus pounds and has natural raw ability. During his senior season he concentrated on correcting his only weakness: stopping runs directly at him. Anything that goes away from him, he managed to run down and that hasn't changed.

Because he had 15 sacks as a junior, teams have double-teamed him all season, reducing his total to 10 this year.

"One coach told me they decided to take their chances of running at him because every time they ran away from him, he caught them from behind," said Parker. "He's such an athlete, I was surprised that he was able to line up as a wide receiver and make clutch catches."

The Gold List's No. 3 prospect is Brown's Phoebus teammate, linebacker Xavier Adibi, who is expected to join his brother at Virginia Tech. Adibi is also looking at Tennessee, N.C. State, Georgia, Maryland and Miami.

"Xavier is more versatile than [his brother] Nathan," said Dee. "He's not quite as big."

With Adibi and Brown in the lineup, Phoebus surrendered only 28 points during the regular season and has since given up 28 more in the state playoffs.

"Xavier is a very intense player who doesn't take plays off," said Dee. "While he is a terrific linebacker, one of the more amazing things I've seen him do was run the ball on 12 straight plays as our fullback against Hampton this year."

Adibi broke the Phoebus record for sacks last year with 20 and has 12 thus far this season.

Western Branch linebacker Vince Hall is believed to be leaning toward Blacksburg for his college career, but is still considering Penn State, Tennessee, North Carolina, N.C. State and Clemson.

Rounding out the Four Horsemen is Hokie commitment Welsh.

Best of Rest

The Hokies and Hoos are fighting it out for No. 6 Shannon Lane and No. 7 Chase Anastasio. Lane, a talented wide receiver from Virginia Beach, said he likes Tennessee but is considering UVa, Tech and Boston College. Virginia is considered the leader for the rangy Anastasio, but he is looking at Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford and the Hokies.

Other uncommitted Gold List members include talented wide receiver Fontel Mines of Richmond, who said he likes Virginia "a little more" than Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. He will be one very interested spectator in Lane Stadium on Saturday.

Also, Lake Taylor wide receiver Terrell Golden has two favorites, the Hokies and Penn State, but is also open to Boston College, Maryland, N.C. State and Tennessee.

Mount Vernon's Justin Bell is leaning toward Tech and Pitt of the Big East, but the big tight end is hoping to be offered by UVa and Maryland.

Richmond Huguenot running back Ervin Battle-Baldwin may be headed to Maryland, but is being courted by Penn State and Michigan. He wants an offer from Virginia, but the Cavaliers have told him to improve his SAT score first.

Another tight end, Richmond Hermitage's Duane Brown, likes Tech and UVa along with Maryland and UNC, but again, UVa hasn't offered as the Cavaliers are holding out for big-time tight end prospect Jon Stuper of State College, Pa.

The Hokies also have three commitments from the Silver List, while Virginia already has a commitment from one of the Juniors to watch list, St. Anne's-Belfield standout Chris Long, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long.

Virginia may need to beat No. 22 Virginia Tech on Saturday to assure itself of a bid to the Peach Bowl or Tangerine Bowl. A loss could relegate the Cavaliers to the Continental Tire Bowl or Seattle Bowl.

UVa athletic director Craig Littlepage said Wednesday he is "optimistic" that Virginia will receive a Peach Bowl invitation if it beats the Hokies, though he said that optimism is not based on any assurances from bowl or ACC officials.

The Cavaliers (8-4, 6-2 ACC) already are deserving of a Peach Bowl bid, Littlepage said, regardless of how they fare Saturday.

"I think the team has done its job in making our case. We've got second place [in the ACC], we beat Maryland and N.C. State, the two teams we were in competition with for the Gator and Peach, and we played a much more ambitious schedule than our counterparts in the league," Littlepage said. "I don't know what more the team could have done."

The ACC's top two bowl slots have been filled. Florida State (8-4, 7-1) earned the Bowl Championship Series berth that goes to the conference champion. The Gator Bowl, which has the next choice, selected N.C. State (10-3, 5-3) on Tuesday.

Virginia and Maryland officials were upset with the Gator's decision to take the ACC's fourth-place team. The Wolfpack lost to the Cavaliers and Terrapins (9-3, 5-2) this month. Now those two schools are busy lobbying the Peach Bowl, which has the third choice of ACC teams.

The Peach Bowl's selection committee won't make its decision until after Saturday's games. Maryland plays host to Wake Forest (6-5, 3-4), another team trying to enhance its bowl prospects.

There are indications that the Peach is leaning toward the Terrapins if they win, even if Virginia beats Virginia Tech. Peach Bowl president Gary Stokan is scheduled to attend Maryland's game at Byrd Stadium.

"I'm not reading anything into that," Littlepage said.

Stokan said the Terrapins would be attractive if they gain their 10th victory and tie UVa for second in the ACC. The Cavaliers clobbered Maryland, 48-13, last Saturday and remain a strong option, Stokan said.

"They're exciting, they're young, they're refreshing," Stokan said. "It's amazing what Al Groh has been able to do with such a young team, especially with such a tough schedule."

Littlepage pointed out that Virginia has a large alumni base in Atlanta and brought "a ton of people" to the Peach Bowl in 1983, '95 and '98. "They have no reason not to take us," he said.

If the Peach goes with Maryland, the Tangerine Bowl has the next choice. Its executive director, Tom Mickle, said he hoped the Peach would pick either Maryland or Virginia this week so the Tangerine could take the other one and begin selling tickets for its Dec. 23 game in Orlando, Fla.

But since the Peach Bowl will wait, the Tangerine won't convene its selection committee until Sunday. A Virginia loss, coupled with a Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4) upset of Georgia, makes it possible the committee will bypass the Cavaliers for the Yellow Jackets or Clemson (7-4, 4-4).

"Right now, there is a clear separation between the top three [UVa, Maryland and N.C. State] and the bottom three [Georgia Tech, Clemson and Wake Forest] bowl-eligible teams," Mickle said. "But if the northern schools lose this weekend and Georgia Tech wins, that gap narrows."

Littlepage said he is focused on securing a Peach Bowl bid and "can't imagine" the Tangerine Bowl would also bypass Virginia. But fewer than 30,000 tickets were sold to last year's Tangerine Bowl between N.C. State and Pittsburgh, and Mickle noted that Georgia Tech and Clemson fans could travel to Orlando more easily than Virginia or Maryland fans.

"I worked in the ACC office for 12 years. I understand the integrity of the conference standings very well," said Mickle, a former ACC assistant commissioner. "But that's not the only consideration. We have about 100 committee members and it's a democracy. They can vote for whoever is eligible. All I can do is let them know what the conference's feeling is and talk about our partnerships and long-term relationship with the conference."

If Virginia doesn't get a Peach Bowl or Tangerine Bowl bid, the remaining possibilities are the Continental Tire Bowl, held Dec. 28 in Charlotte, N.C., or the Seattle Bowl on Dec. 30.

Virginia Tech may be the Big East representative in the Continental Tire Bowl, which is unlikely to schedule a rematch of the teams playing this Saturday. In that case, the Cavaliers may wind up in Seattle for the ACC's No. 6 bowl game.

"The only thing we know for sure, the only thing that matters, is that we're going to play in a postseason game and we'll try hard to win it and to see that the players enjoy the experience," said UVa coach Al Groh. "Once you get to a field they all look the same. It doesn't make a lot of difference to me."