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   SabreMail - Nov. 5, 2007
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Basketball Is Back!

The Virginia men's basketball team wrapped up its preseason work Sunday with a dominating 124-65 exhibition win against Carson-Newman (read about it here). That means the season tips off in less than a week as UVa hosts Vermont on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Everyone knows Sean Singletary is returning and that obviously should help the Cavaliers' chances for the 2007-08 campaign. But what else do you need to know about the Hoos? Don't worry, The Sabre will fill you in on everything you need to know this week with a ton of basketball preview content. Planned articles include 10 Questions Facing The Hoos (2 parter), Schedule Analysis (what is the best formula for the Hoos to make the NCAA again?), a freshman to watch column, Chalktalk (a key offensive sequence to watch), and more.

Make sure you have your EDGE subscription ready to go (Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page) before the season starts because there is no better place to closely follow Cavalier basketball.


   Recruiting News

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

Football recruiting ...

Virginia enjoyed a good recruit turnout for Saturday's thrilling win over Wake Forest. Included among the group were Gateway (Monroeville, PA) star seniors Shayne Hale and Cameron Saddler, who were making their official visits.

Saddler, a 5-7, 155-pound, WR/RB/KR/PR dynamo, discussed his experience last night. Check out the full EDGE article below. We will also catch up with the 6-3, 220-pound Hale for thoughts on his experience. Virginia is in the top four for both prospects so this weekend's experience was a big one for both parties.

Here are some of the other prospects in town on Saturday ...

  • Henry Clay (Lexington, KY) senior WR Aaron Boyd, who has been offered by UVa
  • Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) senior WR Randall Dunn, who has been offered by UVa
  • Norview (Norfolk, VA) senior DL Klinton "Buddy" Ruff, a UVa commit
  • Phoebus (Hampton, VA) CB/WR Reid Evans (no offer). Evans was accompanied by junior sensations QB Tajh Boyd and DL Dominik Davenport
  • Deep Run (Glen Allen, VA) junior DE/TE Jake Snyder (no offer)
  • Episcopal (Alexandria, VA) junior QB Alex Helm (no offer)

Stay tuned this week for updates on the above mentioned prospects and much more from this past weekend.


Basketball recruiting ...

5-star guard Elliot Williams didn't wait until a scheduled Nov. 2 press conference to announce his college decision, verbally committing to Duke last Wednesday. The 6-4 senior chose the Blue Devils over Memphis, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Despite missing out on one of the top overall recruits in the country, Virginia has to be happy with its 2008 recruiting class. Holy Cross (Flushing, N.Y.) guard Sylven Landesberg and DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis, MO) center John Brandenburg are rated 4-star prospects by Rivals.com and Scout.com, while South Kent (CT) center Assane Sene is a promising prospect who chose Virginia over offers from U-Conn and Syracuse.

Virginia has added much needed size in this class, as Brandenburg stands 6-11, 235 pounds, and Sene is 7-0, 230 pounds. Landesberg, who stands 6-6, is a big, smooth backcourt prospect who can score. While Landesberg is not a true point guard, he can play the point position.

All three players are expected to sign letters of intent next Wednesday, Nov. 14, which marks the beginning of the early signing period. Virginia was expected to only take three recruits in this class, but, if there is an exceptional prospect that really impresses this spring and wants to come aboard, a fourth isn't out of the question.

Stay tuned later this month for further analysis on Virginia's 2008 recruiting class, including an in-depth look from some of the country's top basketball recruiting analysts.


Game balls ...

Stratford (CT) rebounded from last week's loss - its first of the season - to capture a 48-7 win over Weston. The team was led by Virginia-bound running back Torrey Mack, who totaled four touchdowns in the win.

Mack, a 6-0, 190-pound senior, started off the scoring with a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown. He would add three touchdowns on the ground, including a 98-yarder in the second quarter. Stratford is now 7-1 on the season.

Northeast (Macon, GA) wide receiver Javaris Brown hauled in touchdown receptions of 36 and 9 yards, respectively, in a 39-35 loss. Northeast is now 6-3 on the season.


Chris Horne, our resident recruiting expert, provides updates throughout the week for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week ...

Saddler Discusses Key UVa Experience
One of Virginia's top remaining targets in the 2008 recruiting class, Gateway (Monroeville, PA) ATH Cameron Saddler finally returned to Charlottesville this past weekend for an official visit. Saddler, a 5-7, 155-pound speedster, made his first and only visit to Virginia back in February. How was his most recent experience?

Dunn Makes Unofficial
Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) senior wide receiver Randall Dunn, a 6-3, 212-pound prospect that has risen fast on the recruiting scene this fall, made an unofficial visit to the University of Virginia for Saturday's game versus Wake Forest. It was his first game experience at Virginia, which is one of three major Division 1A programs to extend an official offer.

Checking in with UVa Commit Ausar Walcott
Losing its first three games of the season by an average of six points per game, Hackensack (N.J.) is now 2-5 heading into this week's home match-up versus Montclair. One of the bright spots in what has been a trying season has been University of Virginia recruit Ausar Walcott, a 6-4, 200-pound senior. Walcott, originally slotted at wide receiver and safety at the start of this season, was moved to running back in game three and has produced excellent results ever since.

More recent recruiting updates on The Sabre ...


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   News, Notes, and Fan Discussion

The Sabre's Game Week Coverage


Helmet logos courtesy of The Helmet Project

Diehard football fans know that preparing for the game starts a long time before Saturday. That's where the Sabre has you covered! Our game info pages are stocked with all the information you need for the Hoos' next game. That means you can get the essentials (time, place, TV, postgame stats, weather forecasts, preview articles, depth charts, roster cards, etc.) in one convenient location.

The links to each game are available through our schedule on the Football Info page (Click here for Football Info page.); all you have to do is click on the game of interest and the information is all on that game page! Check out the Miami page now!

That doesn't even include the articles you get as part of our premium EDGE coverage. Each week, you'll receive features, columns, and analysis on the Hoos' next game. If you want to be "in the know" and impress your buddies at the next tailgate, the EDGE is the place to be. To sign up for an EDGE subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page.


UVa Bookstores' 2007 Virginia Football Pick 'Em

Pick 'em is simple. The first contestant who picks the winner and comes closest to predicting the final score wins. In case of ties, the earliest entry will be awarded the prize. Entries must be received by 12:00 a.m. EST game day. Entries received after 12:00 a.m. (midnight the night before the game) are ineligible. Limit one entry per person.

The prizes for the Pick ' em are awesome! The Virginia vs. Miami contest this week will reward a Nike Grid Iron Virginia Jacket to first place and a 1-Year Cavalier Corner Magazine subscription to second place.

For the full information or to enter, click here!


Advertise With The Sabre!

TheSabre.com has come a long way since its conception in 1996. We are the #1 media source and community covering UVa athletics, producing an average of 95,000 unique viewers and over 4 million page views each month. We reach a coveted demographic (you know Hoo you are) 24/7, 12 months out of the year. Rooting for their team clearly represents one of the big passions in the life of our Sabre community members. This site greatly enhances this never-ending passion through information, analysis, and most importantly through communal dialog/networking.

Our advertising approach is different in that we make it abundantly clear in a direct and honest way that your company's commitment of sponsorship dollars is what enables the site to continue existing and improving into the future.

To learn more, please contact [email protected].

The Sabre is a vital part of a unique collegiate sports network that reaches nearly 2 million individuals per month. Like the Sabre, each site in the SportsWar network is an organically grown community and the emotional home for its fans.

To learn more about SportsWar network sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected] and visit the SportsWar media guide www.sportswar.com

To view a list of our sponsors, please visit our Sponsors Page.


Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

  • Cavaliers Win Pair of Titles at ITA Nationals: The Virginia men's tennis team completed play at the 2007 ITA National Indoor Championships by winning both the singles and doubles titles of the prestigious event. Somdev Devvarman won the singles title and the team of Devvarman and Treat Huey won the doubles title. Devvarman becomes just the fourth player in the 30-year history of the tournament to win both the singles and doubles title in the same season. He joins Erick Iskersky of Trinity (1979), Luke Jensen of USC (1987), and Pavel Kudmac of Oklahoma State (1998) to accomplish the feat. Dominic Inglot completed his fall season by winning the consolation draw of the tournament.
  • Women's Basketball Takes On Team Concept In Monday Exhibition: he 2007-08 Virginia women's basketball campaign gets underway Monday night, when the Cavaliers host Team Concept in an exhibition at John Paul Jones Arena. Tip-off is 7 p.m., with the game being broadcast on WINA (1070 AM).
  • A Weekend Split For Volleyball: The Virginia volleyball team (15-10, 10-6 ACC) was defeated by Georgia Tech on Sunday 3-2 at Memorial Gymnasium. Game scores were 30-15, 27-30, 30-26, 22-30 and 6-15. UVa's hard-fought loss to the Yellow Jackets marked the seventh time the Cavaliers have played five games this season. Virginia is 2-5 in those games. Earlier in the weekend, UVa swept 24th-ranked and conference leader Clemson in impressive fashion. Each game was a hard-fought battle between the two teams, with Virginia coming out on top. Game scores were 30-23, 32-30, and 32-30. The Tigers entered the match with a 21-2 overall record and had yet to be defeated (14-0) in league play. The match was played before a capacity crowd at Mem Gym with 916 in attendance, believed to be a Virginia record.
  • Wrestling Dominates Season-Opening Quad Meet: The Virginia wrestling team opened its 2007-08 season Saturday in dominating fashion with wins over Wagner (52-0), Anderson (45-3) and VMI (42-3) at Memorial Gymnasium. Freshman Michael Chaires had a sensational college debut, recording pins in all three of his matches at 165 pounds. Brent Jones also recorded two pins and a forfeit win at 197. Ten of the Cavaliers' wins came by pin, including five against Wagner. The Cavaliers' 52 points against Wagner were the third-most in program history, falling six points shy of the record of 58, set vs. Howard in 1998. Ross Gitomer and Anthony Burke each recorded three wins on the day at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively.
  • Virginia Novices Successful At Rivanna Reservoir: The Virginia women's rowing team's novice "A"crew won the 4,000-meter novice eight head race by a wide margin in competition against novice crews from Georgetown and George Washington on Saturday (Nov. 3) at the Rivanna Reservoir. Virginia's "A" boat won the novice eight competition with a time of 14:26.60.
  • Kevin Tschirhart Wins Cavalier Open: Virginia's Kevin Tschirhart won the Cavalier Open, hosted at Panorama Farms, by over 20 seconds today as the Virginia cross country programs closed out their home schedule with the meet. Tschirhart's 24:41.7 over 8K bettered Donnie Cowart's second place run of 25:05.6. On the women's side, former Virginia All-American Dawn Cromer won the meet by over 30 seconds, running an 18:05.6.
  • Men's Soccer Falls At Maryland, 4-1: Yannick Reyering scored his 13th goal of the season, but the 14th-ranked Virginia men's soccer team fell, 4-1, on the road at Maryland Saturday night.
  • Virginia Suffers Overtime Loss at North Carolina: The seventh-ranked Virginia women's soccer team closed out its regular season with a 1-0 overtime loss at No. 4 North Carolina Friday night at Fetzer Field. The Cavaliers fall to 11-3-4 with the loss, 5-2-3 in the ACC, while the Tar Heels improve to 15-3-0, 9-1-0 in the conference.
  • Cavaliers Fall to Top-Ranked, Top-Seeded UNC 3-0: The Virginia field hockey team held top-ranked UNC (19-0) to five shots in the first half, but fell to the Tar Heels 3-0 in the ACC Tournament Semifinals. The Hoos were led by keeper Amy Desjadon, who made a career-high 13 saves in the contest .
  • Smith Tabbed National Swimmer of the Week: Virginia freshman Taylor Smith has been named the national collegiate swimmer of the week for Division I men, CollegeSwimming.com announced Friday. Smith, a native of Saratoga, Calif., helped 12th-ranked Virginia to a 176-116 defeat of Clemson last weekend at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Smith claimed wins in the 1000 free (9:16.20) and 500 free (4:29.22) and anchored UVa's exhibition 200 relay team (1:25.67; split - 21.45).

For more Hoo news or to read full releases, check out Virginiasports.com.


   UVa Bookstores - The Place for Wahoo Gear!

Nike Sabre Midfield Pant
List Price: $50.00, On Sale: $40.00

The Nike Sabre Midfield Pant is made from Nike's Clima-fit material allowing for breathability during exercise while protecting you against the elements. The V-Sabre is embroidered on the left leg and there are two front slash pockets.

   SabreMail History

Issue No. 272 - December 18, 2006

Football recruiting

Last Thursday, UVa was the choice for 6'2.5", 185-pound wide receiver recruit Dontrelle Inman. Inman, who announced his decision to attend UVa during a press conference at his high school, chose the Hoos over Georgia Tech and other offers including Auburn, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

The Batesburg-Leesville (S.C.) star is the 19th high school senior to commit to UVa for the 2007 recruiting class. Virginia now has 22 commitments in total, including three players - OL Billy Cuffee, DB Ras-I Dowling and LB Almondo Sewell - who signed with the Cavs last February. All three players are currently at Hargrave Military Academy.

Inman is the third commitment projected to play wide receiver for the Hoos. As a junior in 2005, he hauled in 31 receptions. As a senior in 2006, he tallied 18 receptions in five games, missing the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Inman is a long player with good overall athleticism. He doesn't have blazing speed, but can make the big play.

Stay tuned this week, as we follow up with Dontrelle for more on his decision and a look back at how he ended up choosing UVa.

   What's New on TheSabre.com?

Coming Soon

The Sabre has you covered when it comes to Hoo news. Here are a few of the articles to expect on the site in the coming days:

  • Game Week Previews The Sabre has adjusted its game week coverage to fit a more streamlined format while also adding content. Stay tuned each week to get ready for the upcoming opponent.
  • Miami The Sabre breaks down the Hurricanes' special teams, offense, and defense.
  • Looking Back at Wake Foreset Each week, the Sabre breaks down the previous week's contest. Stay tuned for JHoo's 10 Things I Learned Against Wake, Greg's Game Grades, Inside the Game, and more.
  • Basketball Previews Throughout the week, The Sabre takes a closer look at the men's basketball team, the players, the schedule, and what to expect this season.


In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

Hoos Cruise In Carson-Newman Exhibition
Image: Adrian JosephAn exhibition is defined as a public display. In sports lexicon, it falls somewhere between a scrimmage - an informal game - and a showcase - a display, usually of an ideal or a representative model. UVa's exhibition with Carson-Newman on Sunday afternoon certainly fit the bill. While the Cavaliers cruised to a 124-65 victory, the contest certainly wasn't a pristine picture of what's to come for the 2007-08 version of Virginia basketball.

Thoughts On The Final Kick
Image: Wali LundyJeffrey Fitzgerald and Mikell Simpson both said a quick little prayer. Chris Long decided not to look - and then watched anyway. Al Groh just settled in to watch it unfold, saying these late game situations are no time for the "heebie jeebies." Fans crouched, breathed deeply, closed their eyes, crossed their fingers, and hoped for the best. All of this over a game-winning field goal try with two seconds remaining. Here are some of the participants' thoughts on the final play.

Better Late Than Never: Hoos Win By 1 Again
Image: Mikell SimpsonWhoever wrote the lyrics "one is the loneliest number" didn't know the 2007 Virginia football team. The Hoos' perfectly comfortable and cozy relationship with the number one continued on Saturday in Scott Stadium as they won their third game in four weeks by one solitary point. This time, it was defending ACC Champion Wake Forest that fell prey to the Cardiac Cavs, who prevailed 17-16 with a Mikell Simpson touchdown in the final three minutes.

UVa Vs. Wake Forest Scouting Report: Special Teams
If it seems like the Virginia football team has faced dangerous returners on special teams a lot this season, that's because it has. Duke's Jabari Marshall, North Carolina's Brandon Tate, Middle Tennessee State's Desmond Gee and Damon Nickson, and N.C. State's Darrell Blackman all have impressive credentials. This week, you can add Wake Forest's Kevin Marion and Kenny Moore to the list.

UVa Vs. Wake Forest Scouting Report: Wake Offense
Image: Wake Forest Demon DeaconsDespite being 90th in total offense, Wake Forest's offense is very apropos for Halloween week - scary. Keep in mind, this is a team that was without quarterback Riley Skinner for several weeks, and one that has played solid defenses like Boston College, Maryland, and Florida State. The concern comes from the fact that Wake is a dangerous offense that features a veteran, talented offensive line and a bounty of speedy skill position players.

Cavs Ready To Get Rolling
As the Virginia men's basketball team gears up for its first public test of the season in less than 72 hours, it won't be the Hoos' first taste of competition this fall. No, the Cavaliers first whet their plates against West Virginia in a recent scrimmage. As one might expect from a scrimmage, there was some good and some bad with the experience.

UVa Vs. Wake Forest Scouting Report: Wake Defense
Image: Wake Forest Demon DeaconsNumbers can be deceiving. Wake Forest is ninth in the ACC in overall defense (350.2 YPG), sixth in rushing defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense, and the Deacons have allowed the 8th most first downs among the 12 conference teams. They also allow more third down conversions than seven other clubs in the conference. So how are the Demon Deacons 6-2 overall and winners of six in a row? Wake has 13 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

The Hawk's Nest - Shedding Blocks
Image: Ahmad HawkinsIn last week's edition of "The Hawk's Nest" we discussed wide receiver trick plays. This week, let's turn our focus back to the defensive side of the ball and discuss shedding blocks. I will discuss three topics that pertain to shedding blockers: How to shed a block, how to apply shedding a block to a called defense, and drills that help players learn how to shed a block.

Inside The Game: NCSU
Image: Jameel SewellVirginia has had less rushing attempts than passing attempts on offense only three times this season. The Cavaliers lost two of those games, including this past weekend's 29-24 loss at N.C. State. The Hoos rushed the ball just 36 times and a number of those were Jameel Sewell scrambles on non-running calls. That begs for one question. Why did UVa abandon the run?

10 Things I Learned Vs. NCSU
Image: Jameel SewellLeaving Raleigh, there certainly was a "what could have been" feeling for the Hoos. Some opportunities were left on the field, some balls bounced the wrong way, some penalty flags were thrown at the worst possible moment ... and the seven-game winning streak ended as a result. Watching the game live and looking back at it afterward, I was struck by how strange a feeling the game had, and how strange some of the stats were in the end. Looking at the game stats, had I not known the final score, it would not have surprised me one bit to see UVa lose by three touchdowns. And yet, the opportunity was there at the end to sneak out with a win. In the end, that leaves a lot to break down after the game.

More recent updates on The Sabre ...


   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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