February 06, 2003 By Jimmy Sirody,
For the second straight season Virginia is one of the biggest disappointments in the ACC. The Cavaliers aren't lacking in talent. Travis Watson is one of the premier big men in the land and point guard Todd Billet can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. Coach Pete Gillen is considered one of the better mentors in the college ranks but he has been unable to get Virginia over the hump.
Gillen and his charges figure to take their lumps again tonight when they face red-hot Maryland at the Comcast Center. The defending national champs have proved of late that they aren't going to surrender their crown without a fight. A win against the Cavaliers, would equal their 7-1 start in conference play last season. The Terrapins are sitting atop the conference standings, one game ahead of Wake Forest and North Carolina State, who square off against each other tonight.