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   SabreMail - Jan. 14th, 2005
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There have been better weeks for UVa athletics.

The bad news started over the weekend when the Cavalier basketball team was creamed at Georgia Tech, then Heath Miller announced he would forego his final season of eligibility to turn pro.

At least those were expected events. On Wednesday, the Cavs fell at home to Miami and dropped to 0-3 in the ACC. A day later brought word that Darryl Blackstock - who strongly suggested that he would stay at UVa - had changed his mind and decided to make himself eligible for the NFL draft. Speaking of changing minds, two UVa football commitments also appear to have done so. Lamont Robinson, one of the top linebackers in the country, announced he would sign with Oklahoma instead of UVa. Another linebacker, Darryl Gresham, now says Florida has joined UVa on the top of his list.

During a week like this, it's helpful to keep things in perspective. Keep in mind that it's not the end of the world, it's just college sports, it's really not important, etc. etc.

Then, during better times, during a week of big wins and big commitments, you can chuck that perspective and remember why few things make you as happy as UVa sports. Maybe next week?

John Galinsky
Editor
TheSabre.com
[email protected]


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  •    Recruiting News

    This Week In Recruiting
    By Chris Horne

    Football recruiting...

    Not a great week for UVa football recruiting, as Lamont Robinson reneged on his commitment to the Cavaliers and chose Oklahoma. According to Salem (N.J.) coach Dave Lindenmuth, the 4-star prospect was influenced greatly by an official visit to Norman last month.

    "UVa did an excellent job recruiting Lamont," Lindenmuth said. "He was just blown away on his visit to Oklahoma."

    William Fleming (Roanoke, VA) linebacker Darryl Gresham "officially" de-committed from UVa and now says that Florida and UVa are "even" for his services. This one will be tough for UVa, as Gresham felt like he clicked with the Florida team a lot more than he did with the Cavs. Gresham made an official visit to Florida last weekend. It'll be a dogfight here, but UVa has a chance and won't give up easily.

    Some good news: Southern (Durham, N.C.) wide receiver Brandon Woods has decided to cancel his official visit to South Carolina and has re-affirmed his commitment to UVa, according to his mother.

    Darryl Blackstock's departure means that the recruitment of 6-5, 220-pound OLB/TE Kyle Newell just got a lot more important for UVa. Sources say that Newell is very high on UVa's board and his athleticism would be excellent for the defense. UVa already has excellent outside linebacker candidates in Antonio Appleby and Denzel Burrell in this year's class, but Newell remains a big-time target.

    RB Mikell Simpson will visit Florida this weekend. It's still Alabama and Virginia right now for the 6-1, 185-pound prospect out of Harrisburg (PA), but a visit to Florida is always worrisome (see Darryl Gresham). I still like UVa's chances here.

    UVa had an excellent in-home visit last week with LB Brian Cushing. Southern Cal still appears to be the clear leader, but, according to his father, Brian is now set on taking his visit to UVa on January 28th. The Cavaliers better hope that's true, because that is their only chance at landing the 5-star linebacker who may be the top target left on the board.

    RB Toney Baker will announce his decision at Saturday's Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. He is expected to choose N.C. State, but UVa is a finalist along with Tennessee.

    Outstanding offensive tackle Eugene Monroe is drawing rave reviews down in San Antonio. His is showing why he is considered one of the nation's top overall prospects.

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

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    Kroger, a proud sponsor of the Sabre.com, would like to congratulate Ed Neal, winner of the Kroger Ultimate Sports Challenge grand prize!

    For months, Sabre readers have been playing the Kroger Ultimate Sports Challenge, answering trivia questions about UVa football and basketball. Each person received one grand prize entry for each week that he or she participated in the Challenge. The winner was drawn randomly earlier this week and Ed was the lucky guy.

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    TheSabre.com would like to thank everyone who played the Kroger Ultimate Sports Challenge over the past few months. We'd also like to thank Kroger®, our exclusive grocery store sponsor, for sponsoring the contest.

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       News, Notes and Fan Discussion

    Post of the Week

    OK, this post is rated PG-13 (that's Parental Guidance-13, not Pete Gillen-13), but it's too funny to resist and we could use a little levity regarding UVa basketball. So kids, make sure you have your parent's permission before you read any further.

    Subject: Sex, Basketball & The Bottom Line
    Posted by: hooba on Sun Jan 9 2005 3:14:44 PM
    Message: The Bottom Line in Basketball is Winning, and from a Bottom Line Perspective, the Hoos are 9-3 -- which means not only are we on track for an NCAA Tourney Bid from a Bottom Line Perspective, but we are actually a game ahead of Preseason Bottom Line Expectations thanks to the Arizona win.

    The Bottom Line with Sex is, well, to Have Sex.

    Failure to win the game ruins your Bottom Line in Basketball. Failure to convince your partner to have sex ruins your Bottom Line with Sex.

    However, in Basketball, like with Sex, there is more than just the Bottom Line. There is Performance. And while one may have a successful Bottom Line for a while regardless of Performance -- ultimately and inevitably, in both Basketball and Sex, Performance will impact the Bottom Line.

    Here are just a few examples of how Performance can impact the Bottom Line with Sex:

    1. Sex & Time Outs

    With Sex, if once in a blue moon you prematurely Time Out even though the game has barely gotten under way, it will probably be overlooked and not impact your Bottom Line very much. However, if time and time again you prematurely Time Out even though the game has barely gotten under way, it means not only are you are not properly preparing for your Performance, but you are fundamentally not Performing well from the outset -- and clearly that will negatively impact your Bottom Line.

    Further, as we all know, the important Time Outs are not your own Time Outs, but her Official Time Outs. If you know the Official Time Out is about to arrive at any moment, and if everyone within shouting distance knows the Official Time Out is about to arrive at any moment, and you impatiently and thoughtlessly go ahead and Time Out on your own regardless of the momentarily impending Official Time Out -- well, Performances like that will very quickly begin to negatively impact your Bottom Line.

    2. Sex & Motion

    If your general m.o. for having sex with your partner is to lie on top of her and from time to time move around a little bit, while continuously shouting at the top of your lungs: "MOTION MOTION MOTION MOTION MOTION!!!!!" - well.Performing in that manner will quickly eviscerate your Bottom Line.

    [Aside: Just once, while we are aimlessly dribbling the ball on the perimeter with nobody cutting or moving on offense, instead of "MOTION MOTION MOTION MOTION MOTION," I would love to hear Pete shout "SURRENDER DOROTHY." In fact, I think I would advocate an additional 10-year extension for him if he did that.]

    3. Sex & Open Shots

    If you continually ignore your partner and refuse to Perform, leaving her hanging around outside by herself begging for attention -- eventually some other guy is going to realize that is an Open Shot and Hit It. And if you continue ignore your partner and choose not to Perform, leaving her wide open outside by herself, that other guy is going to Hit It Again and Again and Again. At that point you may decide it is not a good idea to leave your partner out there as an Open Shot and try to Perform, but by then that other guy is in the Groove and it doesn't matter if it is an Open Shot or not, cause he's gonna Hit It anyway. And once again your poor Performance will start to rapidly erode your Bottom Line.

    So as has been illustrated, even though you are having Sex, thus achieving your Bottom Line, continued poor Performances and failures to Perform will inevitably reduce your Bottom Line until you reach the point where you and your partner are no longer having sex.

    In Basketball, as with Sex, you may be able to get away with poor Performances or a failure to Perform for a while without it affecting your Bottom Line, but eventually it will be not about the Bottom Line, but about the Performance. Intellectually, I have to believe that our Coach understands the correlation between Performance and the Bottom Line (he's not an idiot), but it doesn't manifest itself in his thinking, coaching or tactics. Nothing evidences this more than his decision -- after achieving the bare minimum Bottom Line to even be considered for being brought back -- to accept a reduction in his buy-out with an NCAA or Else ultimatum over his head. Based on our Performance over the last several years, that was a Sucker's Bet if I ever saw one (not even factoring that no one who had their Knife out last year put it away because we made the NIT). I guess Pete was seduced by the readily attainable Bottom Line (an NCAA Bid) and chose to overlook our Performance. Our Coach could still achieve that Bottom Line of an NCAA Bid given our Bottom Line to date this season, but with each passing game the Performances are undermining our Bottom Line to the point where right now the Fan Base is wearing its baggy sweats, is wrapped up in its thick comfy robe and fuzzy slippers, has its hair up in rollers, is suffering from cramps and bloating, has a migraine, has kids with the flu, has had its mother-in-law in town for a week, has to pay the bills and do the laundry, and if there is another poor Performance on Wednesday night, will go permanently on the rag, rendering the Bottom Line moot.

    To read the reaction to this post, please click the link below.

  • Sabre Basketball Message Board

    Wahoos fall to 0-3 in the ACC

    Devin Smith's 21 points vs. Miami didn't halt UVa's slide.

    Virginia's first two ACC losses came as little surprise. After all, the Cavaliers fell to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech - two of the nation's top teams - and they were playing without leading scorer Devin Smith. So what did you expect?

    But things were supposed to be different Wednesday night. UVa was facing Miami, picked to finish last in the ACC. The game was at University Hall. And Smith was back on the court. As it turned out, however, things were different at all. Another second-half collapse left the Cavaliers with a 91-80 loss and an 0-3 mark in the ACC for the second straight year.

    With road games coming up against Duke (Sunday) and Maryland (Wednesday), an 0-5 record seems likely for the Wahoos - bad news for Coach Gillen, who probably needs to take this team to the NCAA tournament in order to keep his job. Even before that, he seems to be in danger of losing this team.

    For the Sabre's story on the Georgia Tech game, please see the link below.

  • Another Second-Half Meltdown for Cavs

    For the Sabre's story on the Miami game, please see the link below.

  • Hurricanes Send 'Hoos Into Tailspin

    Women's basketball to take on No. 1 Duke

    At least there's one feel-good story in UVa athletics this winter. The women's basketball team, coming off its first losing season in 26 years, seems to be back on the right track.

    The Cavaliers went to Atlanta and beat Georgia Tech, 61-38, on Monday for their eighth straight victory. They are now 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, leaving them one victory shy of last year's total for the entire season.

    Their next test, however, is their toughest by far. The 'Hoos will face No. 1 Duke tonight at U-Hall in a game that is important in many ways. With a win, Debbie Ryan's team can earn back national respect and the attention of UVa fans who have soured on the program in recent years.

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

  • UVa Women's Basketball

    Miller, Blackstock decide to go pro


    Heath Miller
    Three years ago, if anyone had predicted that Heath Miller and Darryl Blackstock would eventually leave UVa early to go pro, most people would have laughed. Neither was considered a blue-chip recruit. Miller was redshirting while making the adjustment from high school quarterback to tight end. Blackstock was prepping at Fork Union and was overshadowed by fellow linebacker recruits Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham.

    But both players decided this week to make themselves available for the NFL draft, and who can blame them? In three years, Miller set the ACC records for a tight end for career receptions (144), yards (1,703) and touchdowns (20). He won the Mackey Award this year as the nation's top tight end and was a unanimous first-team All-American. Blackstock led the nation's linebackers with 11 sacks this season and is second on the UVa career list with 27. Both are expected to go in the first two rounds of April's draft.

    The good news: Brooks and tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson - possible first-round picks - have indicated that they will stay and play for the Cavaliers in 2005.

    Reck to receive national scholar-athlete award


    Jennifer Reck
    Jennifer Reck graduated from UVa last May as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in school history. A member of the first varsity eight crew, she was a three-time first-team All-American in women's rowing. A commerce major, she earned the school's award for the senior female athlete with the highest GPA. She also found time to work with Habitat for Humanity, tutor elementary school kids with learning disabilities, volunteer at Camp Holiday Trails and serve as a Student Athlete Mentor.

    Because of that, Reck was one of six individuals selected this week to receive Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Awards. She will receive her award at a banquet in Columbus, Ohio, on January 28.

    The awards are presented to a man and woman in each of the three NCAA divisions for demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. Only two other Cavaliers have ever earned that honor - Tom Burns (football) in 1994 and Katie Tracy (soccer and basketball) in 2002.

    Hey students! Pay attention to the new ticket policy

    This message is from Brian Leung, the vice president of UVa's Class of 2005, regarding the new policy about student tickets to basketball games.

    STUDENT BASKETBALL TICKETS

    Starting this season, SHOTS (Student Hoops Online Ticketing System) has been implemented to (a) more accurately gauge student attendance prior to Game Day, (b) reward those who have attended more games, and (c) make it easier for the student body at large to secure a ticket.

    This season, STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE ONLY THEIR STUDENT ID TO SWIPE INTO GAMES. All students will have to use the new SHOTS website to print out a ticket PRIOR to arriving at University Hall. Both the ticket and the student ID are necessary to enter the game. To set up and use your account, follow these instructions:

    1. Visit https://www.ticketreturn.com/uva/.
    2. Click on 'Sign In', using your Computing ID (mst3k) as the User ID and "guest" as the password (no quotations).
    3. Fill out the form as directed - be sure to check the Reminder Emails box - they will only send you an email before a home basketball game. After completing this form, your account is set up.
    4. Click on "Request/Claim Tickets." Any home game for which tickets are available will be shown in Orange.
    5. Click on the game for which you want a ticket, and then click Continue on the next screen.

    Depending on timing and ticket availability, your name will either be entered into a lottery to receive a ticket, or you will be granted a ticket right away. If your name was entered into the lottery, you will receive an email notification when the lottery is completed and tickets have been awarded. This takes place 4 days prior to the game.

    Remember, if you claim a ticket but do not attend the game, your chances of being awarded a ticket the next game will be hindered, so do not claim a ticket "just in case" you decide to attend. Not only will you be hurting your future chances, you are inhibiting your fellow students from getting a ticket.

    For complete details, visit the Virginia Athletics website at www.virginiasports.com. Under Men's Sports, click on Basketball, then click on the SHOTS logo at the bottom right corner of the page.

  •    What's New on TheSabre.com?

    Recruiting talk on CavTalk

  • CavTalk Archives

    TheSabre.com recruiting expert Chris Horne and Daily Progress sportswriter Andrew Joyner were the guest on Tuesday's edition of CavTalk, hosted by Greg Waters and Mike Andrews. Edge subscribers can listen to the show at the link above.

    Sabre Edge articles and columns from the past week

  • 2005 Recruiting War Room #10: Down the Stretch, Chris Horne

    Image: Olu HallDespite recent events, UVa still has a terrific class in place. If the Cavaliers can get some things going their way, they can finish out strong. Including Branden Albert and Olu Hall, UVa now has 22 verbal commitments in this year's class. Darryl Gresham has "officially" de-committed while Brandon Woods, who was supposed to visit South Carolina this weekend, has reaffirmed his verbal to the 'Hoos after South Carolina wanted him to reschedule his visit to January 28th.

  • 2004 Season Grades: Offense, Greg Waters

    Image: Alvin PearmanIn reviewing 2004, the most telling observation about the offense is that no unit exceeded the preseason expectations. The line came close but in the final analysis, like so many aspects of the Virginia football operation, it had its weakest performances in the three most critical regular-season games and the bowl. In our breakdown we look at four areas: A composite of all 12 games grades, the best and worst efforts, and an overall mark with respect to preseason expectations.

  • Is There Still Hope for Hoops?, John Galinsky

    Image: Devin SmithEarly on, I must admit, I was a believer in this Virginia basketball team. Not a believer in Pete Gillen, necessarily, or the future of the program. But I believed this particular team was going to do good things. Recently? Well, let's just say my faith has been shaken. Judging from the basketball message board, I'm not alone. That sound you've heard all week has been fans jumping off the bandwagon and giving up on the season. On the surface, considering the team's 9-3 record, that seems ridiculous. And maybe it is premature. But you know what? It's completely understandable.

  • The Best and Worst of the 2004 Season, Greg Waters

    Image: Chris CantyContinuing to reflect on 2004, just for fun, TheSabre.com takes a look back at some of the best and worst aspects of the football season. Among the worst moments: Chris Canty's injury, the punt coverage vs. Miami, the under-utilization of Michael Johnson and turning down Orlando for Boise. Among the best aspects: Alvin Pearman, Andrew Hoffman, beating Georgia Tech in Atlanta (finally!) and the Cavalier Marching Band.

    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

  • The Latest on Todd Nolen
  • Final 2 Visits Set for Newell
  • Star Punter to Visit UVa
  • Accolades Roll in for Barker
  • UVa Visits Simpson
  • Baker to Announce on Saturday?
  • Robinson Chooses Sooners
  • Gresham Returns from Gainesville
  • Did UVa In-Home Impress Cushing?

  •    Sabre Edge

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    All of the great Sabre Edge content can be yours for the price of $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. 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!

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