University of Virginia Library

In This Corner

Pick Up
Your Chin
Joe Wahoo

With Randy Wert

AFTER THREE CLOSE ONES in the last four contests,
the Cavalier court log rests at 18-1 with an ever-climbing
national ranking following close behind the players and
coaches, virtually assuring them of post-season action of one
sort or another. But despite four wins (against State, Tech,
West Virginia, and Wake Forest), we have heard comments of
dissatisfaction circulating around the Grounds. Fears of
collapse, sudden awakenings to the possibility that we (the
fans) have been suffering from delusions of grandeur
(otherwise known as the "maybe we aren't as good as we think
we are" syndrome), and general disbelief and disgust in our
inconsistency lurk in fraternity houses, classrooms, and dorm
halls everywhere.

WHETHER THESE ATTITUDES ARE WARRANTED
shall be left as a personal matter. However, this column shall
go on record as attributing them, at the risk of generalizing, to
typical fair weather Wahoo fan reaction otherwise known as
the "always look at the bad side syndrome." It is senseless to
dwell upon the record, which everyone is aware of. What it
may come down to is the fact that what makes this team so
good, may be that "Something" which Coach Gibson attributes
to the team which always conducts them to the top by the
final buzzer. The Amazin' Cavaliers may be that uncommon,
enigmatic group of ballplayers who, not out of laziness or a
bent for drama, play just well enough to win.

LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE. Jim Hobgood, who can
wreck a zone defense as well as Mr. Parkhill can destroy
man-to-man coverage, has been sizzling hot lately. Despite the
fact that he missed four out of five attempts from the floor
against State, the "Uniontown Rifle" has been burying the ball
in the net at a 58% clip and has hit on 13 of his last 16 free
throws. Hobo got 25 points against Tech and was the team's
high man in Charleston, W. Va. with 22.

Victim of much criticism of late has been co captain and
center Scott McCandlish. With all eyes focused on the
vicinity of the offensive net, viewers have been sadly
disappointed with Scott's performances and have cheered
wildly the advent of Lanny Stahurski in each game. With 53
points in the past eight games (6 5 ppg), a case can be made
for his offensive deficiency.

OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME AS Hobgood's hot
spell, McCandlish has shot 29% from the floor, and only 50%
from the charity strip, and certainly no one in University Hall
or in front of radios is more disappointed than Mr. McCandlish
himself. The anguish visible on his face as he dropped both
ends of a critical foul shot opportunity against Wake gives a
small indication on the pressure on the 6-10 senior. Scott is
the co captain, elder member, example, leader, and he knows
it. But we have surely all heard of trying too hard pressing.
Essentially there is nothing wrong with McCandlish's shooting
that a little confidence, like a twenty point night, wouldn't
help.

In the same breath with these sad offensive statistics must
be mentioned the fact that there is more that a center can
contribute than putting the ball in the bucket Simultaneous
with Scott's scoring slump has come a period in which he has
turned in several fine performances defensively. Tall Tom
Burleson scored only eleven points. Virginia Tech's Charlie
Lipscomb, a big gun for the Turkeys, got into instant foul,
trouble and was not a factor in the game. West Virginia's
centers netted only twelve points for the evening, and
Scott blocked five shots and snared twelve rebounds. Finally,
13 errant Demon Deacon shots found their way into
McCandlish's hands. In four games he garnered 44 rebounds,
and is now owner of the best career rebounding average at the
University with 9.64 per game.

Additionally, Frank DeWitt has been making key
baskets, and Tim Rash and Chip Miller have been largely
devastating defensively. The bench has played well and, oh
yea, Parkhill's been on the court somewhere.

BUT, THE SLUMP IS OVER, and the meat of the schedule
lies ahead with Penn State (only one loss at home thus far, and
victories over Princeton and West Virginia), and Maryland, and
Carolina on the road, not to mention streaky Duke this
Saturday. Basically we have been playing well, and, after all
winning.

So, to fans, we are running strong into the stretch. To
detractors near and far, the bright side is only looking brighter.