A sense of urgency is apparent on the women's basketball team.
"This is definitely gut check time," Coach Debbie Ryan said after Monday night's loss to North Carolina. "This is it. You have five games to go, and you're only promised one more after that. It's time to make sure you know what you want to do and go out there and do it."
The Cavalier women have ridden a rollercoaster of emotion all year long. Their season began with a mediocre record of 4-3 (not including an exhibition loss to Russian Team UMMC Ekateringburg) before soaring to an amazing 13-2 run, even receiving some votes for the top 25. Now, however, the Cavaliers have fallen from their incredible high. Two wasted halftime leads against NC State and UNC have sunk Virginia to 5-4, in the middle of the ACC standings. Now the Cavaliers must try and right the ship against the 11-11 (3-6) Miami Hurricanes at U-Hall tonight.
Virginia will first look to its star senior LaTonya Blue to contribute tonight. The usually consistent Blue had an atrocious game against the vaunted Tar Heels, going 1-13 on the floor for only three points. Blue must ail her shooting woes if Virginia is to take care of business. Blue has been a huge factor in the ACC, averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in conference games. Despite her poor shooting against the Tar Heels, Coach Ryan still has faith in Blue.
"I wanted her to keep shooting and she did," Ryan said. "That's all I can ask of her, and sometimes players are going to have nights like that."
Another primary concern for the Cavaliers has been defense. N.C. State scored 16 points in the first half only to bounce back with a vengeance to score 46 in the second half last Thursday against Virginia. The troubles became twofold against the Heels when the Cavaliers' offense shot only 34.8 percent from the floor.
"I think we did get good looks," forward Jocelyn Logan-Friend said after the 76-56 loss. "Our guards penetrated well and were setting us up. But even when they shot in the paint, we just didn't execute."
These talented Virginia squad members know they can't afford another shooting night like that if they want to stay in the ACC race.
Miami comes into Charlottesville winning three out of its last four games, including an upset 78-67 victory over Virginia Tech. Miami is led by junior Tamara James, the second leading scorer in the nation with 22.7 points per game. Another key player will be senior Yalonda McCormick, second in the ACC in assists. Virginia will look to shut these players down in order to secure the victory.
In a conference with top-10 teams like Duke and North Carolina, victories are hard to come by. The Cavaliers have been focused all season to avoid last year's disappointment in missing the NCAA tournament. Conference records can make or break a team in the eyes of the selection committee, and Virginia knows the importance each game carries.
"Every game is the same -- every game is the same piece of the pie -- it's just one game." Ryan says. Virginia hopes it's one game they will want to remember.
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