UVa Closes Out Non-Conference Schedule At LSU

The Virginia men's basketball team is 12-1 for the first time since the 1982-83 season and the Cavaliers hope to add another win to the list in their final 2011-2012 non-conference game against LSU on Monday night. The No. 23 Hoos are riding a 10-game winning streak, the longest for the program since 2000-2001.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have been on a winning streak too. LSU has won seven straight games to stand at 10-3 on the season. One of the victories during this run came against then No. 10 Marquette, 67-59.

In other words, the 7 p.m. contest should be a good win between two teams playing good basketball at the start of the new year. Either way, it may be a low-scoring defensive struggle. Virginia has allowed just one opponent to break the 60-point barrier in 13 games, while the Tigers have not allowed a 60-point score in any of the last seven games.

LSU coach Trent Johnson expects a tough challenge for his club.

"Virginia is a very, very good basketball team. They're very efficient offensively and defensively. Mike Scott who did not play last year when we played them in Virginia, is a double-double every game out. He's a special player. Obviously, he's a fifth year senior, but he's strong, he's skilled and he can score in and he can score out. Make no mistake about it, this is not a one-man team. They remind me of some of some of Tony [Bennett's] really good teams where they can make a tall pass and catch it, and they can shoot very well," Johnson said. "For us defensively, we're going to have to be at our best. This is a team that can play on the halfcourt and can play on the fullcourt in terms of running with opportunities. Defensively, they don't let you get in the lane. They're very solid and very sound. There's going to be a premium on us for the first time all year where we're going to have to be at our best halfcourt execution in terms of setting good screens. Not having unforced turnovers, making good decisions and making some shots from the framework of our offense. ... We're going to have to play well."

This Week In Recruiting

True freshmen such as wide receiver Darius Jennings and cornerback Demetrious Nicholson (among others) played significant roles for the University of Virginia this season. The next crop of incoming freshmen will sign on the dotted line on Feb. 1, with one, quarterback Greyson Lambert, set to enroll at UVa this month. Virginia fans won't have to wait to see the new recruits in action as they will have an opportunity to see some of next year's incoming freshmen in postseason bowl games this week.

The action starts Tuesday night at 6 p.m. EST, in the inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD) defensive end Michael Moore, Franklin (Somerset, N.J.) running back Kye Morgan and Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, VA) defensive end Courtnye Wynn have committed to the Hoos and will play for the East in Tuesday's contest. CBS Sports Network will televise the event.

EDGE subscribers can read more on Wynn and Morgan in an article posted on Saturday courtesy of FoxSportsNext/Scout.com. All Sabre readers can check out the Good Ol Blog for a link to a video interview on all three recruits, also courtesy of FoxSportsNext/Scout.com.

Two more bowl games follow the Semper Fidelis. Thursday night, Jan. 5, will be the Under Armour All-American Bowl. There are no UVa commits in the game, but there is one remaining 2012 class target in Brookville (Lynchburg, VA) defensive tackle Korren Kirven. Kirven will be watching from the sidelines as he is recovering from a lower leg injury suffered in the state playoffs.

Kirven revealed to several sites that he has scheduled official visits to Tennessee (Jan. 13), Alabama (Jan. 20) and Virginia Tech (Jan. 27). Maryland and Virginia are also under consideration, but these are the known visits at this point.

On Saturday, Virginia commits Eli Harold (Ocean Lakes, DE) and Kwontie Moore (Norfolk Christian, LB) will take the field in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The game, which will be televised on NBC at 1 p.m. EST, also features top remaining 2012 class target Stefon Diggs. The Good Counsel (Olney, MD) WR/DB has taken an official visit to Cal and has scheduled officials to Auburn (Jan. 13) and USC (Jan. 20). Virginia and a handful of others remain in contention with the dynamic playmaker, who recently added Notre Dame to the list of schools being considered.

This week, I'll have reaction from Virginia OL commits Michael Mooney and Andre Miles-Redmond on their experiences in the Dec. 30 Chesapeake Bowl. I also plan to have an update on the basketball recruiting front on 2013 class forward Brandan Stith. I'll ask his father, Bryant, about Virginia's scholarship offer, among other topics.

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 since the last SabreMail ...

TheSabre.com Postseason Top 40
A new number one highlights our 2012 Postseason Top 40 list, a ranking of who we consider to be the top 40 college prospects (high school seniors) in the state of Virginia. Three U.S. Army All-Americans and one Under Armour All-American are in the top 10, of which only three prospects remain uncommitted. In addition to the top 40, we also take a look at those 2013 class prospects we've confirmed with offers.

Touted Junior PG Looking To Visit UVa
The University of Virginia has thrown its hat in the ring for junior point guard Jaren Sina, currently no. 45 in ESPN.com's Super 60 national rankings for the 2013 class. Head coach Tony Bennett offered a scholarship to the 6'2" standout almost two weeks ago, and Sina is interested.

More recent recruiting updates on The Sabre ...

• Reports From The Semper Fidelis Bowl
• Grafton Boasts Promising Junior Prospects
• Varina FB Recruiting Notes
• Hackenberg Picks Up Major Offer
• Liberty's Teller Reaches 10 Offers
• Video: UVa Recruits at Marines Bowl (blog)
• Recruiting Notes (blog)
• UVa WBB Scores Top In-State PG (blog)

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UVa Women's Hoops Travels To No. 8 Duke

Virginia Athletics Media Relations Official Release

Virginia travels to Durham, N.C., on Monday (Jan. 2) to face the Duke Blue Devils in its first Atlantic Coast Conference contest of the season. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and will be broadcast over the airwaves on WINA 1070 AM in the Charlottesville area. That broadcast, along with live statistics, can be accessed at VirginiaSports.com. There is a subscription-based webcast available. At 12-2, Virginia is off to its best start since the 2008-09 squad opened the season with a 14-2 record. With a 7-0 record in the month of December, Virginia completed the month with an unblemished record for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Since 1977, Virginia is 22-12 in all-time ACC openers. Last season, UVa dropped its first league contest of the year, 82-73, vs. Miami at home. Virginia has faced Duke six times in its first ACC contest of the year (1977, 1983, 1989, 1991, 1999 and 2001) and holds a 4-2 record in those contests. The last ACC opening game for Virginia vs. Duke was Dec. 6, 2001 in Charlottesville (Duke 107, UVa 73).

Virginia leads the all-time series with Duke, 32-30, but the Blue Devils have won 18-consecutive contests in the series that dates back to 1977. In games played in Durham, the Blue Devils hold a 15-14 advantage. Last season, Duke prevailed 71-48 at John Paul Jones Arena on Feb. 24. The last UVa victory in the series was on Jan. 30, 2000 (61-49 at U-Hall in Charlottesville). The last UVa victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium was on Feb. 19, 1997 (86-56).

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Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• Mike London Receives Two-Year Contract Extension: The University of Virginia announced a contract extension for second-year head football coach Mike London. The two-year addition will extend London's contract through 2016. London's annual compensation increases to $2.1 million. The extension includes a longevity bonus that London can earn effective Jan. 15, 2015.The extension also includes additional compensation for the assistant football coaches on the Cavalier staff.
• Frank Quayle Announces Retirement as Color Analyst for UVa Football: Longtime radio color analyst Frank Quayle announced that the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl between Virginia and Auburn would be his final game in the radio broadcast booth calling Cavalier football. Quayle finished his 29th year as a broadcaster for the Virginia Sports Network. Quayle's first season came in 1983, the second year the Cavaliers were under the direction of coach George Welsh. He missed just two games over a span that covered 348 contests. "I have had a front row seat that has enabled me to enjoy some wonderful eras of Virginia football," Quayle said. "It has been a great run for me, and I feel so fortunate to have been around this year to see the renaissance of Virginia football under Coach London. A highlight has been sharing my passion for college football, the University of Virginia, and UVa football with Virginia's wonderful fans across the Commonwealth on Saturdays."
• Virginia Pulls Away From UMass, 53-38, For Marriott Cavalier Classic Title: The Virginia women's basketball team won its eighth consecutive Marriott Cavalier Classic title with a 53-38 victory over Massachusetts on Thursday. Senior guard Ariana Moorer was named the tournament's most valuable player and was joined on the all-tournament team by sophomore guard Ataira Franklin.
• No. 21 Virginia Wrestling Sixth After Day One of Southern Scuffle: The 21st-ranked Virginia wrestling team holds sixth place out of 22 teams after the first day of competition at the Southern Scuffle, held Sunday at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn. UVa racked up 59.5 points Sunday and trails No. 5 Penn State (118), No. 3 Minnesota (110.5), No. 10 Missouri (83.5), No. 4 Cornell (79) and No. 11 Oregon State (66).
• Span Signs Professional Contract with Djurgardens IF: Virginia sophomore midfielder Brian Span has signed a professional contract with Djurgårdens IF Fotboll in Sweden and will begin play with the club in 2012.

To read the full stories or gather more information on Virginia athletics, check out Virginiasports.com.

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Issue No. 382 - Feb. 23, 2009

Parks Commits

One week after attending a junior day at the University of Virginia, West Rowan (Mount Ulla, N.C.) running back Kevin Parks has decided to commit to the Cavaliers. The 5-7, 190-pound prospect left Charlottesville impressed while leaning toward a commitment. After visiting Clemson, East Carolina, and N.C. State this past weekend, he contacted the Virginia coaches today with a verbal commitment.

West Rowan head coach Scott Young confirmed Parks' decision.

Parks has started for his high school team since his freshman year and has improved every season. As a freshman in 2006, he rushed for 1,721 yards and 23 touchdowns and followed that up with a 2,536-yard, 33-touchdown sophomore season. As a junior last season, he rushed for 2,864 yards and 43 touchdowns, helping West Rowan to a Class 3-A State Championship while earning first-team all-state honors.

Virginia running backs coach Wayne Lineburg is Parks' primary recruiter.

Read SabreMail No. 382 here.

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 soon:

• Basketball in action: The Hoos are back from the exam break. The Sabre keeps you in the loop on the hoops team!
• Pro Hoos: TheSabre.com debuted a new series. Beyond The Lawn" is a 12-month series found exclusively on TheSabre.com that follows three Virginia Cavaliers through a year as a professional athlete. Baseball's Tyler Wilson (Baltimore Orioles), track and field's Stephanie Marie Garcia (U.S. Olympic hopeful), and football's Clint Sintim (New York Giants) share their experiences throughout the year.
• Bowl wrap-ups: JHoo and Greg Waters take a look back at the Chick-fil-A Bowl with their postgame articles "10 Things I Learned" and "Greg's Game Report."

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

The Sunday Sampler 2011 - Auburn
Virginia returned to postseason play Saturday for the first time since the Gator Bowl followed the 2007 season. While the 43-24 loss to Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl isn't the result the Hoos wanted, one bright spot proved to the offense. It's an area that has continued to improve since Mike London and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor arrived two seasons ago.

Special Teams Prove Costly In Bowl
ATLANTA - There's really no other way to say it: this season special teams has been a huge disappointment. It can be argued that the third phase of the game cost the Cavaliers two victories this season, including Virginia's 43-24 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Auburn on Saturday. Entering the game there was little doubt that the defending BCS National Champions held the special teams advantage and that paid big dividends for the Tigers in their victory.

Hoos' 2011 Still A Success
Unfortunately, 2011 didn't end the way the Hoos had hoped thanks to Auburn's 43-24 victory in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Saturday night. When the frustrations of a missed opportunity fade, however, 2011 will be remembered as the streak-busting year that gave the Virginia football program the chance to become a consistent winner again.

Auburn Tops UVa In Bowl Game
ATLANTA - In a game that started so promising, the demons of the past haunted the Hoos again in a disappointing defeat. In Virginia's four previous losses this season, two of the biggest culprits had been poor special teams play and huge plays by the opposing offense. In Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Hoos recorded more first downs, converted more third downs for the game and held the time of possession and overall yardage edge through three quarters, but they could not overcome numerous special teams blunders and allowed nine explosive plays on defense as Auburn claimed the 43-24 win.

Hoos Avoid Towson's Upset Bid
With a shooting percentage only slightly higher than the opponent's losing streak, the Virginia men's basketball team survived a sluggish offensive night at the John Paul Jones Arena on Friday. The Cavaliers made just 34.8% of their shots as they handed visiting Towson its 32nd straight loss, 57-50. Despite the struggle, UVa improved to 12-1 for the first time since 1982-83.

Bowl Notes: Minnifield A Game Time Decision
ATLANTA - Chase Minnifield's status for the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Saturday is in question. Coach Mike London acknowledged Friday that Minnifield, UVa's senior All-American cornerback, is injured and will be a game time decision for the game with Auburn. Virginia's head coach would not discuss the specifics of Minnifield's injury. Let's look at more news and notes for the bowl game.

Auburn Watch List
Some things immediately come to mind when you think of Southeastern Conference football teams like Auburn, Virginia's opponent in this weekend's Chick-fil-A Bowl. Speed, of course, tops the list. Things like great defense, relentless pass rushers, explosive offensive plays, strong running backs, and more aren't far behind. The Tigers certainly feature a lot of those elements too. Let's take a closer look at what else to watch for in the Auburn Watch List.

Tailgating With Chefhoo - Auburn
As UVa prepares to take on Auburn in this year's Chick-fil-A bowl, I was tempted to write an article about fried chicken sandwiches. I mean, who doesn't like a Chick-fil-A sandwich? Okay, don't answer that. My son would eat there every day if I let him. However, this season's Sabre Tailgating articles have crossed the country to discover foods localized to our opponents. We've had North Carolina shrimp, Idaho Potatoes and Maryland Crab. We've eaten the same BBQ they eat in Raleigh, Cuban sandwiches found in Miami and oysters caught from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. But Auburn, Alabama? Hmm ...

More Than A Bowl Game
From time to time I like to reference music in my writing; especially opinion pieces. Music is one of my great passions and, as a father, it thrills me that my children have adopted my love of music. Of course, piano lessons starting at the age of six help. I also have a great love of older music. The songs I reference often give away my age and it's apparent I'm somewhere beyond 25. Since the Cavaliers were selected to play in the 2011 Chick-fil-a Bowl, if I could identify a theme running through the print articles and broadcast news stories it would be Barry Manilow's, "Looks Like We Made It."

Game Preview 2011: Auburn
The Cavaliers (8-4) return to bowl action for the first time since a Gator Bowl appearance followed a 9-3 regular season campaign in 2007. For a group eager to help coach Mike London return UVa football back to its winning ways, a trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl proved to be a major accomplishment in just the second year of the rebuilding project. Coach London sees the trip to Atlanta as a positive step and a significant opportunity for the football program at Virginia. Let's take a look at the matchup with Auburn.

Cavaliers Cruise To Win
The Virginia men's basketball team continued its hot start to the season with a 69-42 dismantling of Maryland Eastern Shore on Tuesday night at the John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers, who had a season-high 22 assists in the win, are 11-1 for the first time since 2000-2001. The team's nine-game winning streak is the longest since 2001-2002.

Bowl Notes: Hoos Expect Physical Game
As Virginia's Chick-fil-A Bowl date with Auburn approaches this weekend, the Cavaliers are prepared for a physical showdown with the Tigers. Before heading to Atlanta, several UVa coaches and players said that Auburn appears to be a strong and aggressive team on video so the Hoos are expecting more of the same in the Georgia Dome.

Scott, Hoos Hold Off Seattle
An uncharacteristic outing defensively left Virginia in an offensive barnburner Wednesday night, but while Seattle became the first opponent to surpass 60 points this season, a resilient UVa team survived the upset bid to win its eighth straight game. The Cavaliers, 10-1 for the first time since 2000-2001, captured the 83-77 victory behind a career-high 33 points from Mike Scott, who missed just two shots in a virtuoso performance.

Bowl Notes: Hoos Prep For Atlanta
With final exams in the rearview mirror, the Virginia football team is gearing up for its appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve in Atlanta. As the only game on television on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m., the Hoos are excited for the chance to play in a meaningful postseason contest. Throw in the fact that Auburn comes from the ballyhooed Southeastern Conference and the Cavaliers see this as a big time event for the program.

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