WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In defeat, the Virginia Cavaliers can hold their heads up high.The Cavaliers gave it their best shot in one of their finer performances of the season but came up just short, falling to Wake Forest, 75-71.
The Cavaliers entered the game reeling. Losers of three straight, Virginia seemed to have nothing but dark days on the horizons for the remainder of the season. Pete Gillen would have none of that as he coached his heart out -- he was a banked three-pointer away from leading his underdog Cavaliers to an upset victory.
Virginia set the tone early with strong play. Coming together as one instead of going apart as five, Virginia put the Demon Deacons on their heels. The Cavaliers helped on defense and found the open man on offense on their way to a 35-30 halftime lead.
"They really played well; their coaches' game plan was excellent," Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser said. "There's no question in my mind that Virginia can play in the NCAA tournament."
Sometimes, no matter how well you play, the ball just doesn't bounce your way. This proved to be the case in the second half. All-America candidate Josh Howard found a soft spot in the Virginia zone and rimmed in jumper after jumper from the top of the key. Refusing to let his team fold, Howard led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 9-of-14 from the floor.
Despite Howard's stellar efforts, the Cavaliers found themselves in a position to win with under two minutes remaining. A stifling Virginia defense forced a Wake Forest timeout with three seconds remaining on their shot clock. Wake Forest freshman guard Justin Gray, however, heaved a one handed shot over the outstretched arms of Cavalier sophomore forward Jason Clark that somehow banked its way in as the shot clock expired, giving Wake a lead it would not relinquish.
The backbreaking desperation shot may have kept Wake Forest atop the ACC leader board, but it cannot take away from the fact that the Cavaliers played arguably their best game of the season. The Deacons, who entered the game leading the nation in rebounding margin at plus-10.7, were out rebounded by a hungry Cavalier team. Virginia's 31-28 rebounding advantage was highlighted by nine rebounds from sophomore forward Elton Brown.
A quick look at the final score also hides the fact that junior point guard Majestic Mapp registered his longest outing of the season, executing and playing under control for 33 minutes. Mapp playing well at the point allowed Billet to slide over to shooting guard and shoulder the scoring load for Virginia. It proved to be a load he was ready for, willing and able to handle as he led the Cavaliers with 25 points.
"Our kids played very well; we didn't win the game but we certainly played like winners," Gillen said. "I'm as proud of our team tonight as of any other point in the season."
The Cavaliers played as a team. Instead of fumbling around as a bunch of pieces each with their own agenda, Virginia played sharp, they played smart, and most importantly, they played together.
The Virginia men's basketball team was dead in the water.The all-too-familiar script of a February collapse seemed eminent. Tonight against Wake Forest, Virginia would not let that affect them, finding themselves one miracle jumper away from possibly getting a huge victory.
Moral victories are well and good, but as Cavalier power forward Elton Brown put it, they certainly don't help you get into the Big Dance.
"Ain't no moral victories," Brown said. "A loss is a loss."
With four games remaining, there is still time. If the Cavaliers can play as one for the remainder of the season, Gillen may soon be waving goodbye to their late season blues.
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