An oxymoron? Yes. A must-win game? Probably not. A chance to halt the skid and show one more sign of progress? Absolutely. The idea that how Virginia finishes the season will carryover to next year is probably a bit much. To think that the Hoos will carry any momentum into next year from mini-winning streak to end this year seems unlikely - does anyone ever really look back at the last couple of games of any given season as a source of inspiration? However, if the Cavs end up losing out - finishing the season on a dreadful 10-game slide - that would likely leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth and set the tone for a long offseason. While UVa's season is likely all but over (barring a surprise run and invite to the NIT), tonight's contest against Boston College does present an opportunity to help solidify that things are moving in the right direction.
Coach Bennett has cautioned that rebuilding Virginia's basketball program is a work in progress - a task that will take some time. The optimists here at the Society were hoping he was sandbagging, but, sadly, he wasn't. The reality is Hoos fans should be looking for signs of progress and any expectations beyond that are likely too much. To be fair, early success in conference play got most fans a bit distracted and the focus shifted to pipedreams of postseason play and challenging for a spot in the top-half of the ACC. Bennett did his best to temper expectations, but Hoo nation is starved for success, and a brief stint as the league leader was like tossing a bucket full of chum in shark-infested waters.
The recent slide has put things back in perspective, and tonight's game against BC presents a chance for Bennett and his squad to display another example of how they are slowly but surely building a foundation for success. A win against the Eagles would, first and foremost, put a halt to a very dejecting losing streak - no one likes to lose regardless of the expectations. Furthermore, a victory tonight would serve as UVa's sixth conference win of the season which would be more than either of the previous two seasons. A win tonight would also represent the Hoos' third conference road win of the year - a feat last accomplished in 2006-07 when Virginia advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
So no, the trip to Chestnut Hill will not impact the ACC conference championship nor will it have any bearing on NCAA seedings. However, it does have meaning to Virginia fans and to a Virginia basketball program looking to rebuild and return to its former status as a regular NCAA tourney team. It could serve as a sign of progress, a step in the right direction, and another brick in the foundation. Small wins and moral victories, that's what Hoo fans can reasonably expect, and a win tonight fits that description.
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Actually, that's three times in four years. Not usually good for one's job security. Has anyone thought about replacing the coach?
Game of inches was a popular media theme -- here and here for example. Although let's not be melodramatic about it, fellas (and I don't mean to pick on these two particular stories -- it was a common refrain from pretty much every media outlet covering the game). Virginia's bowl hopes were extinguished well before Jameel Sewell came up inches short at the BC 12 on fourth down. You see this team winning at Clemson and against Virignia Tech? Yeah, me neither.
Tip of the cap nonetheless to Sewell, who played hurt in the absence of Marc Verica. As we've said in this space before, Sewell has his flaws, but he's always given Virginia its best chance to win. He did so again on Saturday.
And the defense, once again, almost made another impotent offensive showing stand up. Chris Cook got Virginia on the board with an int return for TD to tie the game, and then the D stopped the Eagles three and out to set up a FG that briefly gave the Hoos a 10-7 lead. And last week we asked who would stand out as the Cavs played out the string. LB Billy Shautz raised his hand, registering his first career sack as well as a tackle for loss.
Nonetheless, that defense succumbed in much the same way it has a number of times this season - when a team committed to running it down their throats, the Hoos couldn't stop them. BC marched 70 yards in 12 plays to start the fourth quarter. 10 of the Eagles' 12 plays on that decisive drive were runs, culminating in a gutsy fourth and goal run that just snuck the ball over the line (yes, by inches, we get it).
In any event, the inches don't matter anymore to this group, except to figure out how many inches outside the hole a putt might be sometime in December. It will be interesting to see who else, like Shautz, stands up and makes himself noticed as the team plays out the string.
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The wonder of sports is that hope forever springs eternal. There's always next year. We're not quite there yet, but rather than talk about Virginia's matchup with 6-3 BC, or how few people will attend the Hoos' likely bowl-busting game, I'm already looking towards 2010, and the players that will be in place then. Something (and some names) to keep an eye on if you have any stomach left to watch the 2009 version of the Hoos.
Running Backs: Despite the departure of bruiser Rashawn Jackson, Virginia is well-stocked in the backfield for next season. Mikell Simpson returns for one more season, and Dominique Wallace should be back to full health, hopefully with four more years of eligibility to burn. Torrey Mack, of which more was probably expected this season, also returns with three years of eligibility remaining.
Wide Receivers: What Virginia lacks in obvious quality, they make up for in quantity here. Kris Burd, Jared Green, Javaris Brown, and Tim Smith all return next season. Look for one or two of them to finally distinguish themselves from the pack towards the end of this season. TEs Joe Torchia and Colter Phillips will also be back for whatever coach (and new system) is employed.
O-line: Will Barker graduates. That's it. With four starters returning, the Hoos should be solid up front. We just hope they work on their pass protection skills during the offseason.
QB: The pink elephant in the room. Despite having enough pieces everywhere else on offense for next season, both Jameel Sewell and Vic Hall are out of eligibility. That leaves would-be senior Marc Verica and now-redshirt freshman Riko Smalls as one-two on the depth chart. I'm sure I'm not the only one who shuddered as I read that.
D-Line: Like the o-line, the defense loses one of its most valuable pieces in Nate Collins. But starters Matt Conrath and Nick Jenkins return, along with Zane Parr and true freshman Will Hill ready to step in for Collins. Should again be a position of strength for the Hoos.
Linebackers: The Hoos will lose three seniors, two of them starters. But arguably the two most important pieces, Steve Greer and Cam Johnson, return. Greer, like his predecessor Jon Copper, may need a caddy on passing downs, but he's the backbone of the Hoos' defense. Johnson should continue to blossom into a pass rusher good enough to play on Sundays. However, beyond those two standouts, its unclear among the three freshman listed on the depth chart (Schautz, McCartin, and Windle) who will fill out the starting lineup.
Secondary: Other than QB, this is the position that will take the biggest beating headed into 2010. CB Chris Cook and S Brandon Woods graduate, along with sometimes CB Vic Hall, and its entirely possible Jr. CB Ras-I Dowling decides he's had enough and enters the draft a year early. There's some depth here -- Chase Minnifield should reenter the mix at CB he was in before Cook was reinstated, and Corey Moseley should be able to step in nicely for Woods. But its hard to imagine the biggest strength of this team won't take a step back in 2010.
So there you have it. There are probably less question marks headed into 2010 than there were headed into this season, but the Hoos will have a big question mark at the most important position on the field. We wouldn't expect Groh to start playing for 2010, whether his job were on the line or not, but since he's playing everyone anyway, eligibility be damned, we might as well keep an eye out for what we have in 2010. Enjoy the game (if you can).
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