Cavaliers Journal

Cavaliers hoping for speedy recoveries

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:47:35 -0500

Running back Mikell Simpson (hamstring) and defensive end Nate Collins (shoulder), two Virginia seniors who were injured in Saturday's loss to Clemson, both expressed optimism that they will play Saturday against Virginia Tech. It is the final games of their collegiate careers after all, and it is likely they will err on the side of playing. That said, Coach Al Groh indicated that the criteria to become medically cleared is no different than any other week. "Before I can answer that question, I'd have to ask the doctors, but I wouldn't imagine so," Groh said. "They know we'd like to have everyone for every game. But I think the big deal is I think they're going to make a judgment for what's good for the players. They're trying to get the players back to the team as fast as they can. By the same token, it's their job to protect

Groh's final game?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:50:04 -0500

In Sunday's teleconference, Coach Al Groh was asked if it crossed his mind that Saturday's game against Virginia Tech could be his final game. "No, I try to be the same person that I talk to the team about being," Groh said. "Get all our focus on one game that we have, and I think that's part of the reason why we've always been able to have a lot of energy, and I think that started the very first year." On Monday, Groh was asked again about his job security. How do you think he answered that one? "It's not really about me," Groh said. "It's about the team and it's about the players. You know, that's all I'm really thinking about, so I don't really have any thoughts on it." This is the same stance he's had since he first met with reporters in Greensboro in July for the

Morning links

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:33:29 -0500

It's "Tech week", and (likely) Coach Al Groh's final game as head coach. There are two big basketball games for the (somewhat) hot Cavaliers. And here are the links to start the week off... It will be a week of rehashed "What ifs?" for Groh and the Cavaliers. Virginia found a glimmer of accomplishment in the Clemson loss. On the other side, a 10-win season is still possible for Virginia Tech. In men's basketball, Coach Tony Bennett's squad looks to build on a step forward. For women's basketball, it was the opposite result of a season ago at Tennessee. A record crowd watched the game.

Clemson 34, Virginia 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:21:14 -0500

Different week, same result. Virginia falls to 3-8 overall, 2-5 in the ACC. Clemson is 8-3 with a 6-2 ACC record -- and most important for the Tigers, a bid to the ACC championship game. The fans in Death Valley are ecstatic. The fans throughout Virginia are likely waiting for next Monday. More to come on the game in the coming days. As always, I'm curious what you think. Please e-mail me at bermanz@washpost.com or leave comments below. Two quick injury notes to relay... Defensive tackle Nate Collins hurt his left shoulder -- it was iced in a sling after the game -- and running back Mikell Simpson hurt his hamstring. Both are seniors. Both know next week is their last game ever. Both are hoping to play against Virginia Tech. "We're going into this last game full throttle and trying to get this win," Collins said. "I'm trying to

HALFTIME: Clemson 24, Virginia 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:27:15 -0500

Virginia has used an offense unlike one witnessed throughout the entire season. The Cavaliers had 233 first-half yards. To provide perspective on this achievement, the offense was held to less than 200 yards in three of the past four games. Here are some other notes the first game: - Mikell Simpson already has 14 carries for 84 yards and two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Although healthy, he did not play in last week’s loss to Boston College. It was Coach Al Groh's decision. - The Cavaliers played in the “Wildcat” with Simpson for the first time this season. - Virginia’s 21 first-half points were the third most points scored in a half this season. The Cavaliers had not even scored 21 points in its previous five games. - Vic Hall’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Joe Torchia in the second quarter was Hall’s first touchdown pass of his

Live from Clemson...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:09:40 -0500

...Minutes until kickoff here at Clemson Memorial Stadium for what The Greenville News called on A1 of this morning's paper as "the biggest football game in nearly a generation at Clemson University." The game might not be so big now that Clemson has a spot in the ACC championship game after Boston College lost to North Carolina, but this crowd is excited. Some quick Virginia notes... - Marc Verica did not make the trip. Riko Smalls is the backup quarterback. True freshman Ross Methany is the only other quarterback who made the trip. - Virginia is in all white. Clemson is wearing purple shirts and orange pants. - This will be the last time Virginia and Clemson meet until 2013. - Be sure to follow the Cavs Journal twitter feed for all in-game updates.

Gameday links

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:19:24 -0500

I'm sitting here at Clemson Memorial Stadium, where there will be a full stadium in a few hours. Tailgating was in full force more than four hours before kickoff. Here are some stories to get you ready... Although Coach Al Groh's record does not excite many fans, he's produced NFL players at an impressive rate. Groh remains publicly unaffected by the speculation of his job insecurity. Mike London remains publicly unaffected by the questions of replacing Groh. The Cavaliers need more from the offense if any pride in this season will be restored. Here's a basketball story with Oral Roberts coming to town, and a field hockey story after the Cavaliers lost in the semifinals.

Men's Basketball: Virginia vs. Oral Roberts preview

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Virginia vs. Oral Roberts, 2 p.m. Sene’s return Virginia center Assane Sene finally returns after a three-game suspension, immediately providing the Cavaliers with a defensive presence on the interior that they’ve lacked through the season’s first three games. Sene, who averaged 2.5 points and 4.6 rebounds last season, will help the team more on the defense than offense. “A live body that’s active, be physical and get on the glass on both sides of the floor,” Coach Tony Bennett said of Sene. “We’ve been shorthanded, and that’s good that he’s coming back.” Scoring without Sylven Virginia scored 79 points in Thursday’s win over Rider despite Sylven Landesberg scoring only 10 points. That is a positive sign for the Cavaliers, who depended on Landesberg to carry the offense last season. Bennett said the team is most effective when a few different players can score double figures, but no one besides Landesberg

Football: Virginia vs. Clemson preview

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:54:23 -0500

Virginia at No. 18 clemson Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C. | When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday Records: Cavaliers 3-7, 2-4 ACC; Tigers 7-3, 5-2 TV: WJLA (Channel 7), WMAR (Channel 2). | Radio: WGRQ (95.9 FM), WTNT (570 AM). Stopping Spiller Clemson running back C.J. Spiller might be the nation's most versatile player. Spiller is a threat to score touchdowns running, receiving, returning, even passing. Virginia limited Spiller to 18 yards rushing and a season-low 1.3 yards per carry last season, but he threw for the game's only touchdown in Clemson's 13-3 win in Charlottesville. Spiller also threw a touchdown pass in last weekend's 43-23 win over North Carolina State. Who's in the Backfield? Fullback Rashawn Jackson has now become Virginia's featured running back. His backup in last weekend's 14-10 loss to Boston College was a surprise: freshman Perry Jones. Mikell Simpson, who entered the season as Virginia's starter, did not

Morning links

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:22:35 -0500

Let's break up this morning's stories by sport: MEN'S BASKETBALL Virginia returned to a traditional lineup and looked much better against Rider. The walk-ons had a chance to play, including one who could be a regular. FOOTBALL If Jameel Sewell gets hurt, Riko Smalls would be the next man up. What would Virginia be if it did not lose some key players? FIELD HOCKEY I'll be down in Winston-Salem, N.C., covering the field hockey semifinals, in which Virginia will play after Michele Madison rebuilt the program. The weekend is a culmination of a long-planned vision.

Verica, Mack, Smith all out; Sewell probable

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:03:51 -0500

University of Virginia Football Injury Report Game 11 vs. Clemson Issued: Thursday, Nov 19 This report is compiled by the University of Virginia Sports Medicine staff under the direction of Dr. David Diduch. Out Raynard Horne (back) Torey Mack (ankle) Tim Smith (back) Marc Verica (head) Doubtful None Questionable Vic Hall (hip) Probable Kris Burd (shoulder) Darren Childs (neck) Matt Conrath (ankle) Colter Phillips (leg) Jameel Sewell (shoulder) All remaining players on the Virginia roster are available to participate. Please note the status of an injured student-athlete’s ability to participate can increase or decrease between the time this report is issued and game time. Key: Probable = Virtual certainty will be available for normal duty Questionable = 50-50 chance will not play Doubtful = At least 75% chance will not play Out = Definitely will not play

HALFTIME: Virginia 36, Rider 22

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:57:06 -0500

A good first half for the Cavaliers even without Sylven Landesberg for a long stretch. Landesberg has played on 11 minutes, likely because of a pair of personal fouls. Mike Scott was the star of the half with 13 points and four rebounds. Walk-on Will Sherrill was an unexpected contributor, playing 11 minutes. No signs of either freshman. Virginia shot 56 percent, although only 55.6 percent from the free-throw line. Rider shot 42.9 percent. The Cavaliers have 17 rebounds to the Broncs' 10 rebounds. Here are your first half stats: Mike Scott: 13 points, 4 rebounds Jerome Meyinsse: 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists Mustapha Farrakhan: 6 points, 2 assists Sammy Zeglinski: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist Sylven Landesberg: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist Calvin Baker: 4 points, 1 assist Will Sherrill: 0 points, 3 rebounds Jeff Jones: 3 points, 1 rebound

Live from courtside...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:53:10 -0500

Virginia...Rider...feel the excitement? There's not much here at John Paul Jones Arena, where many seats remain empty. UPDATE: There's a change in the starting lineup. Jerome Meyinsse is starting, Jeff Jones is on the bench. Zeglinski, Farrakhan, Landesberg and Scott keep their spot in the lineup. Tony Bennett is wearing a tie. He wears ties at home, no tie on the road. That's his compromise. Assane Sene is sitting courtside. No sign yet of Jamil Tucker, who attended the last game in the stands. Be sure to follow the game on the Cavaliers Journal twitter feedl. Send any questions to my direction.

Men's Basketball: Virginia vs. Rider preview

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:44:09 -0500

Virginia vs. Rider When: 7 p.m. Where: John Paul Jones Arena. Radio: WTNT (570 AM). Records: Cavaliers 1-1; Broncs 2-0. In need of a win: A loss to Rider could signal a long season for the Cavaliers. Virginia follows the Broncs with games against Oral Roberts, Stanford, either Kentucky or Cleveland State, Penn State and Auburn -- a stretch in which wins will be hard to find if the Cavaliers continue to play as they did in their first two games. It does not help that Rider has confidence after topping then-No. 18 Mississippi State on Nov. 13. Virginia Coach Tony Bennett described the Broncs as an "experienced team" that is "very dangerous." Where's the offense?: Virginia's 66-49 loss to South Florida on Monday was its lowest-scoring output since a 65-49 loss to Stanford on March 14, 2006. Bennett's perceived slow-it-down style cannot be blamed, either. It was simply poor

Morning links

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:06 -0500

More indications that Al Groh's departure could be inevitable? When lists of potential candidates are published. Virginia will take on a team with much to play for and a quarterback with much experience in other sports. Clemson won't watch the scoreboard...or maybe just a little bit. Onto basketball, where Rider is better than you might think. Expect Coach Tony Bennett to wear a tie.