University of Virginia Library

Case, Kennelly Lead Cagers,
Open Season With Ga. Tech

By Bob Nigro

Last week the UPI issued a
startling story to all newspapers in
the East. It stated that two polls,
one taken by ACC cage coaches and
the other by Conference
sportswriters, had shown that this
year's Cavalier cagers are shoe-ins
for the ACC cellar.

Obviously the voters did not
know too much about the coming
Cavalier squad - and the boys who
compose it. They must have merely
noticed that the roster could boast
only three returning lettermen, and
that it shows weaknesses in our
untried front line. But that is not
the whole story.

This year's team possesses an
unprecedented amount of drive and
determination. Amid the
conspicuous absence of certain
"superstars" from last year's team,
Coach Bill Gibson said,
"Unfortunately we are not blessed
with UNC talent. But this squad is
graced with a group of dedicated,
hard-working, good ballplayers.
They all love basketball, the team,
and each other, and realize that
they must work together to bring
victory to the University."

Leading the sparse contingent of
returning lettermen is a healthy
Chip Case. After a brilliant
sophomore year as both a top
scorer and a clutch rebounder, this
year's captain was plagued with
injury after injury. Going as the
only experienced forward, his
determined comeback after his
most recent knee injury
characterizes his toughness and the
spirit that is evident in every
member of the squad.

Playing center will be big Scott
McCandlish, a 6-10 sophomore.
Noted for his effective jump shot
from anywhere within 22 feet and
his unselfish ball handling. Scott is
a smarter, stronger, more aggressive
ballplayer than he was last year.

Bill Gerry, a 6-7 New York
native will get the nod at the other
forward, but is closely pursued by
Frank Dewitt, a from
Pittsburgh. Gerry has developed
into a calmer, more mature
ballplayer than he was last year,
and the scrappy DeWitt is the
team's best defenseman.

Filling out the roster at forward
is Joe Morahan, who with a year of
experience under his belt is tougher
on the boards, and muscular Mike
Slaysman, an Echols scholar, who
came out on his own because he
wanted to help the team.

In the back court, our strongest
area, will be Tom Joyce, who was
sidelined last year by a freak injury,
and Kevin Kennelly, whose late
season charge last year deposed
John English of his starting guard
position. With Joyce's exceptional
speed and Kennelly being the most
experienced player from last year's
team, our attack should be well
directed.

In this department we have a
strong bench too. In fact
competition for these two spots has
been so intense, and the youngsters
have developed so rapidly that
Coach Gibson feels that he can also
start Chip Miller, Tim Rash, John
Hill, or Tom Bagby with equal
confidence.

Still, even with all this unity and
desire, the lack of experience is
glaring, and the 1969-70 campaign
figures to be an uphill battle. The
success of the season is dependent
on how rapidly the untried charges
come along.

Now in final preparation for the
season opener December 1, in
Atlanta against Georgia Tech. Coach
Gibson said he can see marked
improvement in his team every day.
Planning to use a well patterned
offense. Coach Gibson feels that he
has the versatility to go with both a
zone or a tight man to man on
defense.

In a final remark about UPI's
prognostication Coach Gibson felt
that their pick and his boy's spirit
could not be farther apart. "We feel
like have an image to restore, and
we plan to do it. After all, we have
never finished last since I have been
here, and now is no time to start."

Virginia Basketball

1969-70 SCHEDULE

                                           

Dec.	1	Georgia Tech	Atlanta, Ga.
	6	Duke	Away
	9	Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, Pa.
	10	V.M.I.	Home
	13	South Carolina	Home
	16	North Carolina	Home
	18-20	Big Tournament	Hampton
Jan.	2	N.C. State	Greensboro, N.C.
	3	Wake Forest	Greensboro, N.C.
	7	V.P.I.	Home
	10	Clemson	Away
	12	South Carolina	Away
	15	Wake Forest	Away
	29	William and Mary	Away
	31	Navy	Home
Feb.	3	North Carolina	Away
	7	N.C. State	Home
	11	Maryland	Home
	17	George Washington	Away
	21	Clemson	Home
	23	Duke	Home
	28	Maryland	Away