Pick a reason, any reason, just play for something

Certainly the last thing Virginia wants to do is close out the season on a 10-game losing streak. UVa's current nine-game skid serves as the worst since the 1961-62 squad. Furthermore, a loss today at noon against Boston College would forever join the Hoos with the 1981 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as the only other ACC school to finish a season with 10 straight losses. Not good. Despite the fact Virginia's season is effectively over, these are the types of things every teams wants to avoid and this is not how these kids want to get in the record books. This is not how they want to be remembered. Quite frankly, Virginia fans also don't want the Hoos' complete collapse to be the lasting memory that carries them through the offseason. For what it's worth, a win today will serve as reason enough to no longer use "complete" when describing UVa's late-season collapse. Small and largely insignificant to be sure, but we're feeding on crumbs here.

No question Virginia's chances today are rather slim. First off, the ACC tourney is an event that has not treated the Hoos all that kindly in recent years (especially in the Gillen era). Furthermore, BC waxed UVa earlier in the season and, in fact, mercifully ended the Cavs season last year in, you guessed it, the first round of the ACC tourney. Sylven Landesburg is gone, and Calvin Baker has left the team, so to say the Hoos are undermanned is a huge understatement.

Heck, for all intents and purposes, the season is over. Tristan Spurlock is already (at least publicly) stating his desire to return. Coach Tony Bennett is already making sure the press and fans know Landesburg is welcome to return and that the suspension only applies to this season. This team has already begun to look ahead to next year, so in some respects, it could be argued even they have cashed it in for the year. From a fan's perspective, this year is definitely done. The "As the worlds of Spurlock and Landesburg turn" soap opera is about the only shred of entertainment value this squad provides. The only true excitement surrounding the program stems from the hopes and dreams pinned to one of the more highly-regarding incoming freshman classes to arrive on Grounds in years. The fan focus is on the future and not the present.

Ultimately a win or loss won't really mean much of anything. The program won't be damaged beyond repair, and a dark cloud won't hang so heavy that it ruins next season as well. Yet, maybe that's just it. Nobody gives Virginia a chance today, and to be honest, outside of the die hard wahoo fans, nobody really cares. All the story lines point to next season and many are ready to get on with it already. Despite all that, the game must be played, and a Virginia win would help - even if only slightly. Sure, it sounds trite, but it's the truth - today the Hoos are playing for pride. When all the chips are down, does this squad have the character to find a way to win. Is coach Bennett building a program that fights against all odds? Can the Cavs head into the offseason having stopped the bleeding? A loss today and Virgina's season will be tattooed with "10 consecutive losses" and will be primarily remembered for the dubious feat. A win today coupled with a competitive outing against Duke changes things - the story now shifts to the fact UVa finished on a bit of an upswing and showed some signs of life. A win and two hard-fought losses against the league's top two teams.

A gut check, playing for pride, backs against the wall, fighting to the end....pick whatever cliche you want, Virginia just needs to play for something. A win and a small glimmer of hope - well that's something, and something is better than nothing.