The Virginia women's basketball team will open exhibition play as it hosts the Russian national team at 7:30 p.m. tonight at University Hall.
The game marks the first time the Cavaliers have taken the court since their painful NCAA opening round loss to Michigan in which they gave up a large second half lead and fell to the Wolverines in overtime. Any lingering effects of the loss probably won't loom large because most of the players on the 2001-02 Cavalier roster weren't around last season.
The game will give the team a chance to gel after a major roster overhaul. The Cavalier squad that will take the court against the Russian national team is significantly different from the team that played a year ago. Virginia lost three starters and has only four players returning from last year's team. However, don't expect any changes in the Cavaliers' style of play.
"We're still going to run, we're still going to play defense and we're going to rebound," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said.
Tonight's exhibition contest will give Virginia fans a glimpse of what to expect from the newest Cavaliers.
Help is on the way for the team in the form of a strong recruiting class. Blue Star Basketball ranked the five incoming Cavalier freshmen as the 11th best recruiting class in the country.
"Our freshmen are really good," sophomore guard Sophia Grant said. "They can come in and play."
"I think we have some talent," Ryan said. "But it's going to be very inexperienced and very young."
Virginia's roster shakeup leaves it with few options down low, however. The loss of both center Schuye LaRue and forward Marcie Dickson, among others, leaves the Cavaliers much smaller than they were a year ago. Against the Russian national team Ryan will have to use unusual lineups to get the most out of her inexperienced squad.
"We may have to play four guards at times," Ryan said. "I'm not sure we'll be able to use conventional offensive sets."
Anna Crosswhite is the sole captain for the Cavaliers this season. The Australian forward is the only holdover from last season's frontcourt.
"She is our team captain and she has already showed a lot of leadership for our team," Ryan said.
"I want to help our younger players and teach them what Virginia basketball is all about," Crosswhite said of her responsibility as captain.
Crosswhite will get to show off her leadership tonight against the Russian national team before the Cavaliers conclude their exhibition schedule on Thursday against the Basketball Travelers.
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