While most students are just settling in after returning from Winter Break, the Virginia women's basketball team has already established its routine in the new year.
The Cavaliers (13-4, 3-1 ACC) have won nine of their last 10 games. The lone Virginia loss in that stretch was an 87-65 loss to No. 1 ranked Duke on Friday. The Cavaliers, however, responded to that loss with a 19-point win over Clemson Sunday. Virginia will look to continue its recent success tonight against Maryland (12-3, 2-2 ACC).
One possible reason for the Cavaliers' success could be the recent consistency in the starting lineup. Virginia has started the same five players in the past eight games. That starting lineup, which head coach Debbie Ryan has used 10 times in 17 games, has a record of 8-2. The consistency in the lineup has allowed the Cavaliers time to grow together.
"This is a fun team to coach," Ryan said. "This is one of those teams that when they aren't playing well, they know how to get themselves together. They have a lot of leaders."
Another added benefit of the current starting lineup is that the four leading scorers are all on the court. The presence of so many scorers has helped freshman point guard Sharnee Zoll transition to the college game. Currently Zoll is second on the team in assists, and the only player with more assists is senior LaTonya Blue, who handled point guard duties last season. Zoll expressed the confidence she has in her fellow teammates.
"I always feel that anyone on this team can score," Zoll said. "Our post players can take three-point shots, and I'm confident in them making those shots."
The Cavaliers are not the only ones noticing the confidence of this team. Virginia has received votes in the three most recent Associated Press polls and also received votes in the current ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. Virginia, however, will face a Maryland team that is ranked in both of those polls. The Terrapins are currently No. 16 in the AP poll and are tied for No. 18 in the USA Today poll. Despite being unranked, Ryan likes what her team will bring to the College Park.
"I'm pleased with where we are now," Ryan said. "We're taking a good game into Maryland. They're another ranked team, and it's going to be a good match-up."
The Cavaliers will be looking to tame a potent Maryland offense. The Terrapins average 78.1 points per game, third best in the conference. Maryland is led by the second leading scorer in the ACC, sophomore Shay Doron, who averages 20.6 points per game. Doron has been playing well of late, dropping in 37, 28 and 39 points in her last three games.
But the Cavaliers have the tools to stifle Maryland's offense. Virginia is allowing only 57.4 points per game.
Another aspect the Cavaliers will have to overcome is Maryland's home court advantage. The Terrapins are a perfect 8-0 at the Comcast Center this year. But here again, Virginia has a strength to match Maryland's -- the Cavaliers are a perfect 4-0 on the road.
With a battle of strength versus strength tonight, the Cavaliers have a chance to continue the flow with which they have started 2005.
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