University of Virginia Library

In This Corner

The
Amazin'er
Cavaliers?

With Randy Wert

DAYS OF GRIDIRON GLORY(?)ARE GONE NOW and
Tilly Wright and his crew are busily putting Scott Stadium to
bed until the throngs of lacrosse fans demand its awakening
next spring. But across the way in University Hall, the offices
involved with Coach Bill Gibson's basketball team are buzzing
with activity and excitement.

Certainly, no one at the University has failed to hear of the
unexpected success of last year's Gibson edition. Captain Bill
Gerry led the squad to some truly "Amazin"
accomplishments. Virginia saw a winner and U-Hall saw
consistently packed houses for the first time since basketball
has been played there as Cavalier fans finally had a good
reason to scream. "ACC atmosphere" became "Hoot"
Gibson's calling card for visiting quintets.

MANY OF THE FACES ARE THE SAME this year, but
the schedule has a somewhat new look and it remains to be
seen whether the momentum from last year can carry over to
this. Gerry, the enforcer of the front line in the previous
campaign, is no longer with us and nobody in immediate
contention for a starting job looks like his replacement in
terms of strong-arming overactive visiting forwards. However,
despair is not the appropriate reaction to this realization as
Coach Gibson has made ample arrangements to overcome any
lack of bulk up front with a blistering fast break offense keyed
by Barry Parkhill and highlighted by prodigious quantities of
running.

In years past, the Cavaliers were known for their
"deliberate" playing style dictated by a lackluster bench and
limited board strength. All these are things of the past now as
an extremely talented backcourt of Parkhill, Tim Rash. Al
Drummond, Chip Miller, and Steve Morris will keep each other
relatively fresh to run and play defense while the forwards and
centers are all good boarders despite height disadvantages and
should carry relatively fat scoring averages throughout the
season as all are fine shooters in their own rights.

BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS ALL OF THE STATISTICS
and the strengths of the Cavalier squad. What are the
intangibles which could make the difference this time around?
"ACC Atmosphere" was the main plea made by the coaching
staff last year. Playing in hostile arenas in the ACC has to be
the toughest assignment any team in the nation faces. Until
1970-71, Virginia was the only conference school to lack an
effective crowd advantage (not to mention an effective crowd)
which can mean as much as ten points to the host quintet.
Although it did get out of hand at least once, (North Carolina
specifically), to the dismay of players, fans, and Gibson alike.
the same rah-rah should appear again, with equally devastating
effects on enemy poise. But it would be wise to make every
attempt to keep the abuse on a non-physical basis as it is
extremely simple for a Cavalier courtster to be the target for
volatile missiles as well.

MUCH EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON POISE in the type
of playing environment faced by ACC team, and with four
starters and the oft-called-upon Hobgood and Miller back, the
Cavaliers should be long on cool. This will be essential for an
improved record as cool is required for winning in the
opponent's lair in this league. A dismal 0-7 road mark was the
only drawback in an otherwise outstanding Conference
showing a year ago. Virginia must win consistently when they
are without the cozy surroundings of U-Hall.

W&L WILL KICKOFF THE CAMPAIGN and you can be a
part by making the trip to Lexington. Failing that, just drop in
a U-Hall today at 4:30 to see the team off. A little ACC
atmosphere Wahoo style on the road can't hurt.