The lady Cavaliers travel to second-ranked Duke tonight as part of a weekend which features Virginia's toughest contests of the season. The team plays host to top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday. Duke is 21-1 on the season, with their only loss being a 74-70 heartbreaker to North Carolina.
Having lost their last four games, the Cavaliers' need a win this weekend to keep their fading NCAA tournament hopes alive.
Playing Duke at Cameroon Indoor Stadium makes the Blue Devils game an even greater challenge. The crowd will likely be very loud and will create a very tough atmosphere.
"We've been trying to simulate a lot of crowd noise," assistant coach Jeff House said. "For example, at practice all week we've played loud music in order to simulate the chaotic environment. All season long we've played better on the road than we have at U-Hall. Sometimes there's not as much pressure on you on the road because there are no classmates or friends in the stands, and hopefully we'll be able to continue that trend. We need to be able to handle the atmosphere of Cameron Indoor Stadium."
When traveling to Cameron, there is always an intimidation factor and many teams find it difficult to adjust to Duke's level and play their game.
"There is probably a little bit [of an intimidation factor], but on any given day there's a little bit of intimidation," junior center Siedah Williams said. "If we can play up to their level or beyond their level, then we'll have a greater chance of winning."
Duke is an extremely talented team. They lead the ACC in scoring and field goal percentage and are second in the conference in rebounding. The Cavaliers will need to try to stay with Duke in those areas if they are to stop the Blue Devils and pull out an upset.
"It's a great challenge for us," House said. "We need to be able to exploit their weaknesses, if they do have them."
One of the focuses for Virginia is shutting down Duke's high-powered scoring attack led by Monique Curry. Curry, also a very good defender, averages 15.5 points per game and shoots 63.5 percent from the field.
"We have to have all five players on the court and be aware of where she is," House said. "She can get shots in a variety of ways, and everybody has to be aware of her presence. The biggest thing we need to do against her is get to her before she has the basketball. If you prevent her from getting the basketball you can get under her skin and limit her production."
To shut down Currie and Duke's offense, Virginia will have to play good defense in order to rattle them and turn the game away from a Duke-dominated tempo and style of play.
"I think we need to play defense as best we can and play their style and tendencies," Williams said. "If we can do that and try to get under their skin, then we'll be better off."
Virginia is currently 13-8 overall and 2-7 in conference play. In order to get this desperately-needed win, the team will have to rise up to the challenge of playing a top team. An upset will have tremendous impact on Virginia chances at an NCAA Tournament berth.
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