2008.12.23
Virginia beats Hampton
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Although there has been no let-up in Virginia's close losses, at least the Cavaliers' victories are getting more lopsided.
UVa, a 29-point winner over Longwood last week, defeated Hampton 74-48 on Tuesday night to raise its record to 5-4.
Mike Scott had game highs of 17 points and 15 rebounds, coming back strongly from a three-rebound afternoon Saturday in a 74-58 loss to Auburn.
Hampton fell to 5-5. Virginia is off until Sunday, when it begins its ACC schedule at Georgia Tech.
DD
Fans give enough money to build a $135 million arena, and the basketball program rewards them by playing all of the in-state lower Division I basketball programs. Even worse, those fans have to see them in Charlottesville instead of playing teams that fans want to see. Is that in the best interests of UVa basketball, playing a schedule that will entice great recruits, and trying to out-recruit Duke and UNC......or in Dave Leito keeping himself employed?
Comment by Nelson — December 24, 2008 @ 1:11 am
Correction: "Isn't it in the best interests of UVa basketball to instead play a tough non-conference home schedule that will entice great recruits, and try to out-recruit Duke and UNC......or play teams like this that will supposedly keep Dave Leito himself employed?"
Comment by Nelson — December 24, 2008 @ 1:13 am
Nelson,
A series of Virginia men's basketball coaches have tried to out-recruit Duke and UNC with little or no success.
Virginia Tech has been more successful in recent recruiting by not butting heads with the Tar Heels and Dukes.
Comment by dougdoughty — December 26, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
Honestly, I think this year should be looked upon as the first year of the Leitao era. For whatever reason, the "transition era" recruiting classes after Singletary and until last year haven't produced with Diane's decline this year the coup de grace. With Landesberg, Zeglinski, Sene, Scott, and hopefully Jones and Brandenberg, there's a solid nucleus to build around though this year will unquestionably continue to be rough.
It does seem to me that the UNCs, Dukes, and Georgetowns of the world are recruiting more top flight players. Until the early/mid 90s, the "leftovers" were players like Richard Morgan (available after UNC signed Kevin Madden) whereas now they seem to keep signing players even though they are loaded at a certain position (Duke with Ryan Kelly after Josh Hairston) whether to keep them from rivals like UVa or because of players leaving early for the NBA.
Comment by Kevin — December 28, 2008 @ 2:09 pm