Heading into the 2006-07 season energized by a successful 05-06 season and the addition of several highly anticipated freshman players, the Cavaliers have been picked to finish sixth out of the 12 teams making up the ACC.
"There's nothing like being in the ACC," sophomore forward Lyndra Littles said. "It's the best conference in the country. We're definitely going to the Final Four this year, no question."
Finishing ninth in the ACC during the 05-06 season, Virginia started the 06-07 season with a bang, defeating Team Concept 102-67 in an exhibition game. The Cavaliers were recently ranked No. 20 in the Street and Smith preseason poll, with fellow ACC contenders Maryland, North Carolina and Duke ranked No. 1, 2 and 7 respectively.
"I think the University of Virginia is going to be a top-25 team in the nation," Team Concept coach Steve Smith said. "They are extremely quick, extremely athletic and they take care of the basketball. I was very much impressed with their overall play."
Facing a vigorous schedule packed with some of the toughest teams in the nation, including in-state rival Old Dominion, Temple and five-time national champions Connecticut, the Cavaliers face all 11 ACC rivals nearly consecutively during the months of January and February. Non-conference teams, such as Rhode Island and Richmond also present challenges to Virginia, who is aiming for a return to the NCAA Tournament.
The rest of the ACC presents several formidable opponents for the Cavaliers. Maryland, which was the 2006 NCAA champion, has been consistently ranked No. 1 in the nation and is tied at No. 2 in the ACC with a 12-2 record. Returning eight players from their 05-06 season, including five starters, the Terrapins are coming into the 06-07 season fresh off an unexpected overtime win over Duke in the NCAA championship game. Defeating the Lake Truck All-Stars in their only exhibition game 80-64, Maryland has started their season out with strong shooting and nationally ranked players.
North Carolina and Duke are also challenges for Virginia. Ranked No. 1 in the ACC and No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, the Tar Heels won their exhibition games against the Premier Players, 94-69, and Carson-Newman, 104-44, with ease. Senior guard Ivory Latta was named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Duke, tied for No. 2 in the ACC and a Final Four team, returns seven players and boasts one of the most versatile teams in the nation.
Other ACC teams, such as Virginia Tech and Florida State, have also been ranked slightly higher than the Cavaliers. Both teams have very young yet talented teams that could very well make bids into the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia enters the season with another addition to their program: the John Paul Jones Arena. Completed in the summer of 2006, JPJ's features, including new lighting, rims and extra seating for fans, will likely boost the Cavalier's confidence level as they welcome ACC contenders in JPJ's opening season.
"I'm a former WNBA coach, and I still scout for the WNBA, and this right now is probably the best arena I've seen in college ball," Smith said. "This is a phenomenal facility."
Opening the season away at Rhode Island, Virginia is confident in their ability to make a major impact in the ACC. With the energetic atmosphere of JPJ, the Cavaliers have the schedule, the facilities and the talent to return to the NCAA Tournament.
"Every year we want to be national contenders," junior guard Sharneé Zoll said. "This year we made the schedule to be national contenders. We want to be able to prove that we are. The ACC will get us ready for anything we're going to see in the tournament."
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