VIRGINIA.
DUKE.
A matchup between two ACC powerhouses - at least that was the original plan. But much can change in a year. While last season's victory solidified Virginia's resurgence as a school worthy of the big stage, a win tomorrow against the Blue Devils adds to a laundry list of near-miracles that must happen for Virginia to return to the NCAA tournament.
A win over Duke was supposed to provide icing on the cake to a successful Cavalier campaign. But after a February most Cavalier fans would like to forget, that's no longer the case. February ends tomorrow night at 9 in University Hall. DUKE. If there ever was a must win game for the Cavaliers, this is it.
If the Cavaliers can get it together, there is a light, albeit a small flashlight with dying batteries, at the end of the tunnel. I'll say it right now: Virginia can beat Duke. May my mighty proclamation sound forth throughout the land!
Am I hopeful? Yes.
Am I crazy? Possibly.
Am I expecting too much from this team? Nope.
This team with unquestionable potential lacks the confidence and swagger that makes good teams great. After losing back-to-back games to Florida State and Georgia Tech, who have a combined ACC record of 9-19, Virginia has not even shown itself to resemble a good team.
Virginia's embarrassing performances led many to wonder what happened to the team once hailed as the fourth best squad in the nation. The fact is that there is no easy answer to what's gone wrong.
So what has to be done to save the sinking ship that is the Cavaliers' postseason?
Who are we going to call? Ghostbusters?
No, unfortunately Ray, Egon, Winston and Peter (Venkman, that is) can't help save the Virginia program, but a little quick-witted fellow by the name of Pete Gillen can.
The beloved Gillen has taken much of the heat for the Cavaliers' failures of late. Besides his recent controversial last-minute foul call against the Yellow Jackets, Gillen's inability to get the Cavaliers together has many questioning his abilities as a game coach. Sure, he can recruit the talent, but can he get them to play? Or more importantly, can he make the necessary adjustments in the midst of a game to lead his team to a win? Cavalier failures thrust such questions to light and have some panicky fans calling for Gillen's head.
But I'm not ready to give up on the old redheaded Brooklyn boy yet. I still have hope. Hope that Gillen can turn his group of talent-laden individuals into a team that can compete with anyone. It is his job to communicate to his players and get them to play to their full potential - this is why we pay him the big bucks.
Gillen has to get through to these guys and get them to play with a fire under their butts. And if Virginia fans can come out in full force and make U-Hall once again the most intimidating place that Jason Williams has to play, anything can happen.
"Hope can drive a man crazy," said Red, admirably played by Morgan Freeman in "The Shawshank Redemption."
Red may be right, and I already established the fact that I may be insane. But as a fan of another orange and blue team - the New York Mets, I prefer to live by other words, those of the immortal Tug McGraw.
"Ya gotta believe."
(Jonathan Evans is a Cavalier Daily Associate Editor. He can be reached at jre3z@virginia.edu.)
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