THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230454
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
You would think Virginia's coaches and players might sneak one look at the ACC men's basketball standings when they awaken this morning.
``Not even a peek,'' senior forward Junior Burrough said.
``Besides, I already know where we are.''
The Cavaliers, who were 2 1/2-point underdogs Wednesday night to Georgia Tech, took over first place with an 83-60 romp at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
It was the seventh win in a row for 11th-ranked Virginia, which raised its record to 19-6 overall and 11-3 in the ACC, one-half game ahead of idle North Carolina.
The Cavaliers have not stood atop the ACC standings this late in the season since 1983, when three-time national player of the year Ralph Sampson was a senior.
``I wasn't even aware of (the ACC standings),'' U.Va. coach Jeff Jones said. ``At the end of two weeks, if we're still on top, then I will enjoy it immensely.''
Virginia had not beaten Georgia Tech in Atlanta since 1990, but there was no sign of the letdown that many had predicted after Sunday, when the Cavaliers upset then No. 2-ranked North Carolina, 73-71, in Charlottesville.
The Cavaliers led 39-31 at the half - only their second halftime lead in the last 11 ACC games - and shot 64.3 percent while increasing the spread to 26 in the second half.
``It was the best half, offensively, that we've had all year,'' said Jones, whose team also shot 64.3 percent in the second half Sunday. ``It wasn't just that we were making good shots; we were making good decisions.''
The offensive efficiency overshadowed the latest in a series of strong defensive performances. Georgia Tech (16-10, 6-7) shot 34.4 percent from the field, the 24th-ranked Yellow Jackets' low for the season.
``We're all embarrassed,'' Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins said. ``You know, we can make excuses, but there really are no excuses. It was worst performance of the year and it was really ugly.''
James Forrest, playing in his second game after breaking his left (non-shooting) hand, led the Yellow Jackets with 17 points, but was only 6 of 16 from the field.
Travis Best, who had scored 20 or more points in seven straight games, finished with 12 and was 4 of 16 from the field as U.Va. made extensive use of a diamond-and-one zone defense.
Four walk-ons had a total of 19 points for the Yellow Jackets, who were without ACC assist leader Drew Barry. He now has missed three games with a sprained ankle.
``We can't make the excuse of an injury,'' Cremins said. ``That's the easy way out. Does losing Drew Barry hurt? No question. But Virginia lost Cory Alexander and it didn't hurt them.''
Virginia shot 55.9 percent from the field and 57.9 percent on 3-pointers. Harold Deane hit his first five 3-point shots, giving him eight in a row over two games, and Curtis Staples was 4 of 5 on 3-pointers in the second half.
At one point, Jones got up to scold Staples for shooting over 6-foot-10 Ed Elisma, but Jones had to sit down as the ball floated through the net. Staples, a freshman, was making his first start.
``It felt good to start a basketball game again,'' said Staples, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds. ``I've gotten used to coming off the bench, but I'd rather start than not start.''
Staples started in place of sophomore Jamal Robinson, who missed two days of practice after the death of his grandfather, but contributed 11 points in 16 minutes. U.Va. was led by Deane and Burrough with 19 points apiece.
Burrough added a career-high six assists (``That first triple-double is just around the corner,'' he said), but Jones singled out senior forward Jason Williford, who had a season-high 15 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
Remarkably, it was U.Va.'s fifth victory in seven ACC road games, a comforting sign as the Cavaliers prepare to visit Wake Forest on Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS color photo
Georgia Tech's Matt Harpring, left, pressures U.Va.'s Jason
Williford, who had a season-high 15 points and a game-high seven
rebounds.
by CNB