THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503240581
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KANSAS CITY, MO. LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Virginia would face a tall order in tonight's Midwest Region semifinal even if the Cavaliers didn't have to play top-seed Kansas at Kemper Arena.
The Jayhawks (25-5) rotate three players who are 6-foot-10 or taller, headed by senior Greg Ostertag, listed at 7-2 and probably underestimated at 270 pounds.
``One aspect of their team that really jumps out at you is how big they are,'' U.Va. coach Jeff Jones said. ``We haven't played anyone with the size of Kansas.''
Fourth-seeded Virginia (24-8) does not have an active player taller than 6-9 center Chris Alexander, although the Cavaliers rank second in the ACC in rebounding margin.
Coming into tonight's 10:30 p.m. tipoff (WTKR) at their home away from home, the Jayhawks are 18-0 against non-conference teams since 1983 at Kemper, 11-0 under seventh-year head coach Roy Williams.
``Everybody says our non-conference record is tremendous, but we haven't played teams like Virginia, Memphis and Arkansas,'' Williams said.
The Jayhawks dropped their last game here, an 80-72 overtime setback to Iowa State in the semifinals of the Big Eight tournament.
Virginia senior Jason Williford could play a critical role against a Kansas team that has won 20 of 21 games when it has outrebounded the opposition.
``For my size, I think I can go in and fight with anybody,'' said Williford, a 6-6 forward whose seven double-figure rebounding games have come since Feb. 4.
Senior forward Junior Burrough has averaged 26.2 points and 10.0 rebounds for Virginia over the last six games, but the shots might not come as easily against a Kansas frontline that usually includes two post players.
So Jones is coming in with his perimeter options very much in mind.
``Coach Jones is really making the big guys be aware of where Harold (Deane) and I are on the floor,'' said freshman Curtis Staples, who leads the ACC in 3-point field goals with 96. ``He never made a point of saying that before.''
Kansas generally starts Ostertag and 6-11, 220-pound freshman Raef FaFrentz, with 6-10, 250-pound sophomore Scot Pollard the first big man off the bench.
There was some question whether North Carolina coach Dean Smith, Williams' boss from 1978 to 1988, would furnish Williams with information on Virginia, in effect breaking a gentleman's agreement.
Apparently the two did have a conversation, but not much of one.
``They (the Cavaliers) are very good and you don't need me to tell you that,'' Williams said. ``I have shared my entire conversation with coach Smith about Virginia.'' by CNB