
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 30, 1995                   TAG: 9503300089
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: SEATTLE                                LENGTH: Short

GREAT EIGHT INVITES UVA

Virginia's trip to the NCAA Midwest Regional final has landed the Cavaliers an invitation to the second annual Great Eight next season at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The directors of the Nov. 28-29 basketball doubleheaders, produced by Raycom Sports and televised by ESPN, send feelers to the eight regional finalists from the previous NCAA Tournament.

Craig Littlepage, Virginia's interim athletic director, said Wednesday the Cavaliers have made no decision on whether to accept the spot. He said he hoped to discuss the subject with coach Jeff Jones by today.

Littlepage said the Cavaliers' 1995-96 schedule is filled. ``I'll have to assess Jeff's interest first and if it's something we want to do, then we'll start the ball rolling,'' Littlepage added.

He said no opponent has been suggested by promoters. The other invitees are UCLA, Arkansas, North Carolina and Oklahoma State from the Final Four, and Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Kentucky.

A UNC-UVa game isn't likely because they already play two ACC games. Virginia is scheduled to visit UConn next season, and the potential for playing that game as part of the Great Eight ``is something that I guess is possible,'' Littlepage said.

by CNB