Faithful fans hold up signs that read, "E for three," "Keith J Can Play" and "Big Smooth."
They feel like they know the players on a first-name basis.
They smile when they see them walking around Grounds, towering high above the other normal-sized students. They forever hold their sports heroes on the highest platform.
Yet, the scene through the eyes of the icons, the men's basketball team members, at times appears distorted, a view that makes sense on-court, but still remains surprising in everyday life.
It's the perfect case of trying to lead a double life - trying being the operative word.
Sporting black boots, a navy, velvet cape and a plumed hat to the Maryland game Jan. 31, second-year College student Tristan Vantine was proud to call himself a true cavalier.
"I like to jump up and down and yell and shout a lot," Vantine said as he adjusted the belt on the cavalier costume his mother made him for Christmas. "It is cool being surrounded by thousands of excited students."
Vantine's enthusiasm apparently was contagious.
Eager to secure choice seats, students lined the entrance to University Hall for many days prior to tip off, creating what is now known affectionately as "Hooville."
"We decided to camp out because of the atmosphere and excitement of it," third-year College student Tyler Smoot said while socializing with friends by her tent. "It is kind of a party in itself, and by waiting, it gets everyone even more excited."
The fans' devotion flatters freshman guard Jermaine Harper.
"I have never seen people camp out just to see my team play," Harper said, sitting on his bed and leaning against the wall after an evening of studying. "When we got off of the bus after the Duke game, some people came out of their tents and started clapping even though we lost, and those are the best fans."
Once the players are on the court, they look to the fans for motivation. Freshman forward Jason Clark said supportive fans who are loud and rowdy pump him up for games.
"I always see this one fan with orange body paint and a big blue 'V,'" Clark said. "It brings a smile to my face knowing that they are out there to support us."
Junior forward Jason Rogers remembers one fan who wrote his name on her stomach and his number on her back.
"The person said they were going to make a sign, but, wow, I wasn't expecting that," Rogers said, recalling the surprise.
Likewise, Freshman forward Elton Brown relishes in the attention and encouragement he receives following his off-the-bench, three-point shooting.
"I am blessed that I have so many fans that support me," Brown said, acknowledging his desire for the crowd to keep on doing the clap he created in high school. "My clap means we're making them run, and we're eating them up."
Playing away from U-Hall and the home crowd, however, is a whole different ball game.
"We always like to see how many fans come to support us at away games, but our league is so spread out that it is hard for our fans to come down," Rogers said.
One of his worst experiences was at Maryland his freshman year when Terrapins fans made balls out of newspapers and started throwing them at Virginia fans.
"I was upset because our fans at away games are family members or close-knit fans who come to every game," Rogers said.
Although it is harder to play when the team lacks the home-court advantage, the players don't let the opposing team's fans interfere with their concentration.
"The fan support is tremendous at every game in the ACC, so it is hard playing when you're on the road," senior guard Adam Hall said. "The U.Va. fans give you that sixth man on the court. They give us that energy and motivation when we're on the court, making U-Hall one of the toughest places to play at in the country for opponents."
University students are not the only die-hard Virginia basketball supporters in the stands, however.
The Charlottesville community also bands together to encourage their hometown athletes.
"Little kids come up to me after the games and ask for my autograph," Harper said. "It makes me feel like they are looking up to me and want to be just like me - a basketball player."
But with the notoriety also comes the added responsibility of being a role model.
"Anyone who plays a big-time sport is a role model, so we have to conduct ourselves appropriately," Hall said. "If you don't, you could end up on the front page of the paper, and that is not good for young kids who are looking up to you."
Rogers agrees with his teammate and tries to portray himself overall as a good student, athlete and a courteous person.
"When someone says your name, it is nice to be courteous to them and talk to them, because that is just another way of meeting people and making friends and letting people know that you care about what they think," Rogers said.
Indeed, the players meet adoring fans on a regular basis around Charlottesville.
"Since we are a great school and team, people in Charlottesville know who we are," Clark said. "People that we have never seen before, like when we go to the mall, say 'good game' and 'keep up the good work.'"
Yet, there is no place where the players are more easily recognized than on Grounds.
Junior forward Travis Watson can be seen maneuvering his white minivan around the streets of the University. Clark may be hiding under a hood and a pair of neon-green plastic sunglasses, while carrying his backpack over his stomach.
Harper often sports his grandmother's stud earrings while Brown cannot be mistaken in his bright DuPont jacket.
Keeping a perhaps lower profile than some of his teammates, freshman guard Keith Jenifer can be heard singing along to the tunes blaring from his earphones as he walks to and from class.
"It's a good feeling walking around campus knowing that people are watching me play, and I've been giving them a good show to watch," Harper said.
Although Rogers also enjoys recognition, he said he leads the same type of life as anyone else around Grounds - trying to get good grades, meet new people and enjoy the experience of college. His father also has helped him to stay grounded.
"My dad criticizes and doesn't compliment which helps me to keep a level head and keep me from thinking I am a superstar," he said.
Though Harper refuses to let his popularity make him conceited, he admits that he does not refuse the free rides his fans offer him every now and again.
"One time, I was at the bus stop in front of U-Hall, and some guys were walking back to their car," Harper said. "They said 'there's Jermaine Harper,' and they offered me a ride back to my dorm."
When Hall overhears his name being mentioned in a conversation, "you've got to just smirk, and sometimes I turn around and say hi," he said. "You've got to show love to people who show you love."
It's a give and take attitude from these players that makes them so appealing to their friends and fans. The love is felt all around.
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