THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511190439
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: College Preview Basketball
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Virginia point guard Harold Deane not only is emphatic when he says the Cavaliers are the team to beat in the ACC, he provides a solid argument to back up his contention.
``We tied for first place last year when North Carolina had Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse, Wake Forest had Randolph Childress, and Maryland had Joe Smith,'' Deane says, mentioning the other teams which were in the log-jam at the top.
``We did well against those teams when they had those great players. So, why would anyone not project us to finish first this season?''
It is a good question that the rest of the league may have tough time answering this year.
Admittedly, the Cavaliers also lost one of their stars of last season, 6-foot-8 strongman Junior Burrough, who finished his career with more than 1,900 points and 900 rebounds.
But Burrough did not leave as big of a hole as did departures at the other four schools since Virginia's strength was on the perimeter, as it will be this season.
In Deane and sharp-shooter Curtis Staples, who set a league record for 3-pointers by a freshman last season, the Cavaliers may have the best backcourt in the league.
It definitely is the deepest, too, with the addition of 6-foot-5 super recruit Courtney Alexander, and the return of 6-foot-7 wingman Jamal Robinson.
Coach Jeff Jones is so impressed with those four players that at least three of them will start, and it won't be unusual occasionally to see all four on the court at the same time.
Alexander, who averaged 30.7 points for Jordan High School in Durham, N.C., last season, drew compliments from Jones and teammates in preseason camp.
``He still has a lot to learn,'' says Jones, ``but all you have to do is watch one practice to realize the ability he has. He will have a big impact on the team this year.''
Adds Deane: ``I knew when he came in he was a great player, but I didn't know how great he was. He is not your average freshman. He is going to play for us and contribute.''
Jones hopes the perimeter arsenal can help offset the loss of Burrough's 16 points until some of the raw inside talent develops.
Chris Alexander, a strong defender with little scoring skills, is back at center and bulky sophomore Norman Nolan could become the scorer and rebounder that Burrough was.
Jones says freshman Scott Johnson, a 6-9, 235-pound forward, ``has got some attributes that could be a big help,'' while 7-foot-4 redshirt freshman Chase Metheney may provide spot help but basically is still a year away from being a factor.
``I think our backcourt is as good as any in the nation, but the key to the season will be how well our inside players develop,'' Jones says.
One of the goals Jones set for his team is to get off to a better start than it has the last two years.
``It has kind of been our pattern to struggle early and I would like to avoid that this season,'' says Jones, who is beginning his sixth year as head coach.
The Cavs lost to Ohio in the second round of the preseason NIT last year but finished strong, advancing to the Final Eight before losing to Arkansas in the NCAA Midwest Region championship game.
Perhaps a reason for the slow start the last two years had to do with chemistry that pertained to star guard Cory Alexander.
Alexander broke his ankle in the first game two years ago and Deane, a freshman, had to take control of the team.
Alexander returned last year and the Cavs struggled while he and Deane learned to co-exist in the same backcourt. With Alexander leaving a year early for the pros, Deane is the undisputed leader and spokesman for this season's team.
``The confidence we got by doing so well in the playoffs last season is going to help us,'' Deane says. ``When you get that close to the Final Four, playing against those big teams, you know you can play against anybody.
``But this season we don't want to stop just short of the Final Four. We want to go all the way.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Side Bar]
Cavaliers at a Glance
For complete listing, see microfilm.
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION by CNB