Your guide to breaking news, recruiting updates and important offers from TheSabre.com!
 
SabreMail is powered by the following sponsors ...


Budweiser

Crown Automotive

Advance Auto Parts

 
 
   SabreMail - Nov. 19th, 2004
Sabre Links

  Home Page
  Message Boards
  SabreMail Archives

Football Recruiting

  Recruiting Home
  2005 Commitments
  Recruiting Updates
  Prospect Database

Basketball Recruiting

  Recruiting Home
  2005 Commitments
  Recruiting Updates
  Prospect Database

Sabre Edge

  Home Page
  Recruiting Updates
  Articles/Features
  Subscriber Board
  Photo Gallery
  Multimedia

Sabre Products

  Sabre Edge
  TheSabreShop


In some ways, this is the best time of year for a college sports fan.

The basketball season is just starting. The football season is nearing the end. As a fan, you have to love it when the two major sports' seasons overlap. That way you get two or three games to watch and discuss every week, and if one team isn't doing so well, then hopefully the other one can keep you excited.

Problem is, Cavalier fans are a little anxious right now. The football team just suffered a disheartening loss to Miami, effectively ending its chance at a BCS berth. The basketball team looks pretty good on paper, but you have to wonder whether it will be good enough to survive in the ridiculously stacked ACC. Plus it opens the season with a coach on the hot seat, and it seems unlikely that seat will cool down as the season progresses.

My humble advice: Sit back and enjoy it. Or stand up and yell. The football team still has a chance to share the ACC title, something that has only happened twice before. The basketball team also has the potential to surprise people. No sense in getting negative before the season even starts.

And if all that doesn't work, get behind the men's soccer team, which just won its second straight ACC championship and is the No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. There's always a good reason to be a proud UVa fan, and always (well, usually) a good reason to read SabreMail. This edition has the latest recruiting news, great items from TheSabreShop, two Posts of the Week and much more from the never-dull world of Cavalier sports.

John Galinsky
Editor
TheSabre.com
[email protected]


   Recruiting News

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

Football recruiting...


Todd Nolen
Hampton (VA) wide receiver Todd Nolen did not make a decision following his unofficial visit to Charlottesville last weekend. Nolen, a 6-3, 175-pound prospect rated as the top receiver in the state of Virginia, attended the Miami/UVa game. While he says he enjoyed his time, he did not commit to UVa, as some thought he would. Still, UVa remains in solid position for Nolen, who is also considering Nebraska, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. He expects to make a decision soon.

There was some disappointment last weekend when Ragsdale (NC) 5-star tailback Toney Baker could not make a planned unofficial trip to UVa. Ragsdale's playoff game was postponed from Friday to Saturday, so he had to play instead of travel to Charlottesville. The good news for the Cavaliers is that Baker still wants to make another unofficial visit to UVa (already visited for the Maryland game) before taking the next step in his recruiting process, whatever that step may be. UVa is thought to be in strong position at this point, but there is still heavy competition from Tennessee, N.C. State, UNC and Virginia Tech.

Tonight Baker and Co. will take on Southern Durham High School in the second round of the playoffs. Southern Durham features UVa commits WR Maurice Covington and WR/DB Brandon Woods, both of whom attended the Miami game last weekend. Covington and Woods are excellent players and are considered to be very good recruits for the Cavaliers.

Another top game featuring two UVa commits and one top target is on Saturday, when St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) takes on Bergen Catholic. St. Peter's Prep boasts the talents of UVa commits CB Mike Brown and RB/LB Rashawn Jackson. Brian Cushing, a big-time linebacker recruit, is one of the many standouts on Bergen Catholic. UVa is in the mix for him along with Louisville, Notre Dame, USC and Miami. Cushing plans on making official visits to all five schools.

Basketball recruiting...

In basketball recruiting news, UVa has signed three of its four 2005 commitments. UVa has received letters of intent from DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) 6-5, 180-pound guard/forward Mamadi Diane, Blue Ridge (Dyke, VA) 6-8, 240-pound power forward Laurynas Mikalauskas and Cherry Creek High School (Englewood, CO) 6-10, 220-pound center Sam Warren. Brian Moten, a 6-5, 180-pound guard originally out of Saginaw, Mich., has committed but needs to improve his academic standing before signing a letter of intent. Moten now attends Christian Center Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For more recruiting information and updates, please see Sabre Edge.

   Support TheSabre.com's Sponsors

Today's SabreMail is brought to you by Advance Auto Parts.

Sabre readers! Play the Advance Auto Parts "Sports Shuffle" every week, as many times as you like, and earn the chance to win a 3-month subscription to the Sabre Edge! Every game you play increases your chances to win.

Please show your support and look to your local Advance Auto Parts store for all your automotive needs in 2004. See the link below to find a location nearest you and current store specials.

As always, thank you very much for actively supporting the sponsors of TheSabre.com. Their support directly contributes to the future growth and improvement of our unique online community.

  • Advance Auto Store Locator

  •    News, Notes and Fan Discussion

    Posts of the Week

    Some encouraging words from, of all people, a Florida State fan...

    Subject: Hey guys
    Posted by: Nolemike28 on Mon Nov 15 2004 8:37:45 AM
    Message: Sorry about the loss, but a hell of an effort by your team, especially late in the game when Hagans made that unreal scramble down the sidelines to put you right back in it.

    I just wanted to offer up some encouragement about the future. First, Al Groh is a great coach, and he will get you guys to where you want to be, but your fooling yourself if you think its going to happen after just a few good classes. The difference with the Fl schools is not just depth, but quality depth, and the fact that really good players have to play behind other really good players, so therefore when its their time to play, the can step right in and prouduce without a drop off. That is an area in my opinion that is lacking for UVa right now, but with continued recruiting success, you can build that quality depth, that will help you late in games with a team like Miami.

    Second, and this is just coming from a guy that has to hear constant bitching on Warchant about Coach Bowden, is enjoy the ride! Coach Groh is building something incredible in Charlottesville, and of course there will be growing pains, but when it all comes together, it will be well worth it. I don't mean to come across as I'm preaching to you, it's just I have seen posts on here about blaming Groh, and wanting or needing new coaching, and trust me, I know after losses these types of things get written out of frustration, but I have seen UVa transform under Groh, and I hope you guys realize how good you have it.

    Anyway, sorry for being long winded, just a few thoughts about the game.

    Plus some perspective from a Wahoo...

    Subject: A little something to think about...
    Posted by: 73Hoo on Mon Nov 15 2004 4:35:52 PM
    Message: As a fan, it is easy to sit in the stands (or sit in the lazy-boy) and find fault with the players. He's too short...he's got happy feet...he should have caught that pass...how could he let that receiver get so open, how did he miss that tackle etc., etc., etc.

    First of all, most of us don't have a clue what it's like to be in a fast- paced college football game having to make split-second decisions and physical reactions. But, that's not the point I want to make, here.

    As sick as I felt on the drive home Saturday night, I can't imagine how Phillip Brown or Deyon Williams felt for the mistakes they made. I can only imagine the "what-if" game Biscuit played as he tried to sleep Saturday night. And most of all, think of those players who are playing their final season in the Hoo uniform. We as fans always have next year to look forward to - that's not the case with the players. Their opportunities are limited. As a fan, my preference is to give them my support...not constantly point out where they fall short (as if they didn't already know).

    And finally, I'll take 2 or 3 losses with good human beings representing me any day over an undefeated season with egotistical 'look at me' players who care more about themselves than they do the team. If you haven't already viewed the weekly videos on virginiasportstv.com, you need to do so. Then you'll learn that there are some might fine young men on the receiving end of those stinging comments that are posted here on thesabre.

    Go Hoos!

    Cavs drops home finale to Hurricanes

    I've written too much about last week's loss to Miami already, and I don't think anyone wants to read any more about it. For those who were travelling abroad or buried under a rock during the past week, suffice to say there was a great crowd (the biggest in Scott Stadium history), a good Virginia running game, a few exciting moments ... and, um, some other stuff. Long runs by Frank Gore. Big punt returns by Roscoe Parrish. A killer TD catch by Parrish in the final minute. And a disappointing 31-21 result. 'Nuff said.

    For masochists who want to read more about the Miami loss, you're welcome to check out the link below.

  • Mistakes, Miami Spoil the Scott Stadium Party

    Two rough road games await football team

    Alvin Pearman

    As if losing to Miami at home wasn't bad enough, the scary thing (or the challenging thing, depending on your perspective) is that the Cavaliers (7-2, 4-2 ACC) now finish the regular season with road games at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

    Virginia hasn't won at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 1994 and hasn't prevailed at Lane Stadium since 1998. In fact, the 'Hoos have struggled on the road against good teams since 2000, with only one road victory against a ranked team - at Clemson in 2001.

    The Yellow Jackets (6-3, 4-3 ACC) aren't ranked, but they have won two straight and own one of the best defenses in the ACC. The 15th-ranked Hokies (8-2, 5-1) are coming off Thursday's 55-6 rout of Maryland, their sixth straight victory.

    It won't be easy, but the Cavs can claim a share of the ACC title by winning their final two games. Or they could have one of those dreaded November swoons and wind up .500 in the conference. That's why, in some ways, the next eight days will make or break UVa's season.

    For more info on the Georgia Tech game, please click this link.

  • Virginia-Georgia Tech Game Page

    For a breakdown of the UVa-GT matchup, here's an article by Greg Waters.

  • Georgia Tech Preview: The Breakdown

    Men's basketball opens season tonight

    Sean Singletary

    Boy, the Cavaliers looked good in the preseason, huh? In their two exhibition games at University Hall, they won by 92 and 54 points!

    OK, no reason to get too excited. Both of those games were against Division III opponents, and things will be a little more difficult for the 'Hoos against D-I competition, especially once ACC play gets under way.

    Virginia opens the regular season tonight at home against Robert Morris, but the nonconference portion of the schedule gets tough in a hurry. No. 10 Arizona comes to U-Hall on Sunday for a big early-season test. So we'll find out in a hurry whether the Wahoos have what it takes to hang with the elite teams in college basketball. Since six of the nation's top 19 teams are in the ACC, according to the latest AP poll, we'll see much more of that kind of talent later on.

    For the Cavs, much will depend on the progress of freshman point guard Sean Singletary, the health of senior forward Devin Smith and the desire of seniors Elton Brown and Jason Clark. If those four have good seasons, I think Virginia will make the NCAA tournament and Pete Gillen will stick around for a while longer.

    For more information on UVa men's basketball, please see the link below.

  • UVa Men's Basketball

    For a preview of the 2004-05 season, Edge subscribers can read my article here.

  • 2004-05 Preview: Top 10 Questions (Part Two)

    Women's basketball travels to Ohio

    The UVa women's basketball team plays at Cleveland State tonight in what is a home game of sorts for several Cavaliers. Sophomore forward Siedah Williams grew up in Cleveland, while senior Brandi Teamer and junior Tiffany Sardin were born and raised in the Chicago area. All three Midwesterners figure to have plenty of family and friends in the stands.

    Virginia is off to a 1-1 start, not including an ugly exhibition loss to a Russian team on Tuesday. The Cavs were expected to be much better this season after finishing last season with their first losing record in 26 years, but the jury is still out on this team.

    For more information about UVa women's basketball, please see the link below.

  • UVa Women's Basketball

    Men's soccer captures second straight ACC title

    The Cavaliers were a little lucky last year when they won the ACC men's soccer championship. They entered the 2003 tournament with a losing record, then scored just one goal in three games, winning twice on penalty kicks.

    Luck had little to do with their title run this time. The Wahoos scored seven goals in three games and did not need extra time in any of them. As the fourth seed, they knocked off fifth-seeded Duke 3-1, top-seeded Wake Forest 2-1 and second-seeded Maryland 2-1. In Sunday's championship match against the Terps, Adam Cristman and Jeremy Barlow scored to stake Virginia to a 2-0 lead that the defense would not relinquish. Barlow, a freshman, was named tournament MVP after notching two goals and an assist.

    The Cavs (17-4) earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, meaning they can play at home until the Final Four. After getting a first-round bye, they will face either American or Long Island next Tuesday at Klockner Stadium.

    For more information about UVa men's soccer, please see the link below.

  • UVa Men's Soccer

    Women's soccer falls in NCAA second round

    An ACC championship and home-field advantage didn't help the UVa women's soccer team in the NCAA tournament. The third-seeded Cavaliers crushed James Madison 6-0 in the first round but fell 3-0 to Duke in Sunday's second-round game at Klockner.

    Virginia outshot the Blue Devils 12-6 but couldn't convert its opportunities. That provided a disappointing end to a great season for the Wahoo women, who upset North Carolina for their first ACC title and finished with a 17-3-2 record.

    For more information about UVa women's soccer, please see the link below.

  • UVa Women's Soccer

  •    TheSabreShop.com - The Place for Wahoo Gear!

    TheSabreShop.com is here to put the HAPPY back in your Holidays!

    Thinking of starting your holiday shopping early? Be sure to check out our Holiday Gift Center in the SabreShop. We have assembled a fantastic selection of quality items to make your holiday shopping easy this year. Here are just a few of the holiday gift ideas we have for you.


    click here
    Leather Shaving Kit Bag
    Only $39.99!

    Travel in style. Andrew Phillips Leatherworks has created the best in traditional kit bags. This genuine leather bag snaps open like a doctors bag and has a zipper to keep your items secure. The V-Sabres logo is embossed in soft genuine leather.


    click here
    Orange V-Sabres Oxford
    Only $36.99!

    A quality orange oxford from Port Authority embroidered with V-Sabres logo. A great way to fill the sea of orange AND wear a tie. Double rolled hem with french seams. Shoulder and armhole double needle coverseaming. Double faced yoke with box pleat.


    click here
    Leather Attache/Laptop Case
    Only $234.95!

    From the Andrew Phillips Leatherworks collection. Black, supple, fine-grained Nappa leather attache with the V-Sabres logo embossed on the flap. A laptop computer fits nicely into one of the twin padded compartments. Removable shoulder strap. Useful interior pockets.


    click here
    V-Sabres Necktie
    Only $29.95!

    This is the MUST HAVE tie for all Hoo fans. The V-Sabres logo is woven throughout this fine silk/poly blend, navy blue tie.

    And don't forget to browse the great selection of items we've got in-stock and ready to ship!

  • Enter TheSabreShop.com!

  •    What's New on TheSabre.com?

    Sabre Edge articles and columns from the past week

  • 2004-05 Preview: Top 10 Questions (Part Two), John Galinsky

    Image: Sean SingletaryYesterday we looked at five questions facing the Virginia men's basketball team as it enters its 100th season as a program. Forget those five. Today we'll tackle the five biggest issues in ascending order of importance, including the elephant in the room: Pete Gillen's job status. Today's questions: 'Hoo will crash the boards? Can Sean Singletary and T.J. Bannister prove a point? Will the defense be offensive? Will Pete's situation be a distraction - or an inspiration? Can the Cavs compete in the ACC?

  • Georgia Tech Preview: Absolutes & Desirables, Greg Waters

    Image: Alvin PearmanFor each game, we list five things Virginia needs to do (the absolutes) and five things the Cavaliers would like to do (the desirables). Here are the absolutes and desirables for Saturday's game against Georgia Tech. Among the keys to beating the Yellow Jackets are forcing turnovers, containing Calvin Johnson and getting another big outing from Alvin Pearman and the running game.

  • 2004-05 Preview: Top 10 Questions (Part One), John Galinsky

    Image: Devin SmithIn the 100th season of Virginia men's basketball, we could probably come up with 100 questions facing the 2004-05 Cavaliers. But we'll go with a top 10, in ascending order of importance. Today we'll do questions 6-10, then tackle the top five tomorrow. Today's questions: Will Todd Billet be missed? Are the Cavs big enough? How healthy is Devin Smith? Will Elton Brown be a star? Is Virginia tired of being roadkill?

  • Pete Gillen Press Conference, TheSabre.com

    Image: Pete GillenVirginia men's basketball coach Pete Gillen recently met with the media to discuss the upcoming season. The Cavaliers face Robert Morris on Friday, then Arizona on Sunday, with both games at University Hall. Gillen discussed the first two opponents, his likely starting lineup and playing rotation, the point guard situation, the health and leadership of Devin Smith, the strength of the ACC, Elton Brown's fitness, team chemistry, and more.

  • The Reasons for Miami's Unhappy Returns, Joe Lemire

    Image: Special TeamsUntil last Saturday's game against Miami, Virginia's punt coverage unit had not been a problem, giving up just 129 return yards in eight games. The Cavaliers also paid special attention to that aspect of the game during practice last week. Yet the Hurricanes still managed 134 yards on their four punt returns, including a 45-yarder that set up a touchdown and the knockout punch: a 62-yard TD that gave Miami a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. So what happened? Why did the punt coverage break down at the worst possible time? There were three factors that went into it.

  • Al Groh Press Conference - 11/15/04, TheSabre.com

    Image: Coach Al GrohIn his Monday press conference, Virginia coach Al Groh talked about dealing with the loss to Miami, what is at stake in the next two games, the upcoming matchup with Georgia Tech, the ability of Yellow Jacket receiver Calvin Johnson, what went wrong on Miami's punt returns and the "winds of negativity" that blow in after a defeat. He also discussed Keenan Carter, Chris Long, Fontel Mines, Marques Hagans and the tailback rotation.

  • Miami 31, Virginia 21: Game Grades, Greg Waters

    Image: Alvin PearmanVirginia didn't need its "A" game to beat Miami on Saturday. A B-plus performance would have been good enough. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers weren't able to pass one of their biggest tests of the season. Alvin Pearman and the running backs did well, but we hand out C's and D's to just about every other unit. The passing game, in particular, does not get a passing grade. Nor do the special teams, which were only "special" in the "special ed" sense.

  • In Big Game, Cavs Come Up Small, John Galinsky

    Image: Ahmad BrooksThe most disappointing thing about Virginia's latest failure in a "Big Game" is that Miami was so beatable. The Hurricanes didn't play out of their minds, like Florida State did four weeks ago. Heck, they couldn't catch and they had trouble tackling. Sadly, you could say the same about the Cavaliers. Throw in some lousy punt coverage and there you have it: Another opportunity lost. An opportunity, that is, to earn national respect and take another step forward as a program.

  • Virginia-Miami Postgame Press Conference, TheSabre.com

    Image: Coach Al GrohCoach Groh fielded questions from the media after Saturday's 31-21 loss to Miami. He talked about the team's effort and its mistakes, the problems with the passing game and punting game, the injury to Andrew Hoffman and the one key play that he said would cost him at least three hours of sleep. Also in this audio feature are Greg Waters' postgame interviews with Michael McGrew and Brennan Schmidt.

    Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week

    Our resident recruiting expert, Chris Horne, provides updates for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please see the sign-up promotion below. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

    Football

  • A New UVa Target?
  • Commitment Update: Chris Cook
  • Q&A: Mikell Simpson
  • Commitment Update: Rashawn Jackson
  • Harris Comments on Game
  • State's Top WR Makes Visit

  •    Sabre Edge

    Get your Wahoo fix. Subscribe to Sabre Edge!

    Every month, Sabre Edge provides you with exclusive articles, columns, special features, interviews and recruiting news, including daily recruiting updates. There's even a special message board just for subscribers. And to top it off, you get 10 percent off all of your online purchases through TheSabreShop.com during your subscription.

    All of the great Sabre Edge content can be yours for the price of $5.99 per month. Try it for a month and cancel if you like. But we think you'll get hooked on the Edge and find out for yourself why the most knowledgeable Cavalier fans are Edge subscribers.

    If you're a true Wahoo, then the Sabre Edge is right for you. Check it out!

  • Sabre Edge Info and Sign Up

  •  
        SabreMail is a trademark of TheSabre.com - Copyright © 2001 - 2004 - All Rights Reserved