Last Ball at UHall

Just a little over forty years ago, University Hall opened its doors for the first time; sadly, it opened with a loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. Tomorrow, the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team could make sure that it does not finish the same way with the final game at UHall being played against the Maryland Terrapins. Many of the Wahoos' best will return for the final scheduled game at the stadium (with a likely NIT bid, UVa likely has at least another game to play there, but that was not a given at the beginning of the season), including Ralph Sampson and coach Jeff Jones (sorry, but I suspect that Pete Gillen probably will not make an appearance, which probably will not bug most in attendance). While this may not be the Duke-UNC game (which is currently playing on every ESPN channel, including ESPN 8: The Ocho), the crowd should be loud and ready for a good game.

It will also be Senior Night, but the only senior player lost will be Billy Campbell. This fact, tomorrow's game, and the season as a whole will set up next season starting at the new John Paul Jones Arena. In a season with a first-year coach and prediction to finish last in the ACC in basketball, a win tomorrow would give Virginia an 8-8 record in conference and guarantee a finish no lower than 7th. Losing no scholarship players, expectations will be high for next season, and an impatient Virginia fanbase will start to look at Coach Dave Leitao with a far more critical eye.

Tomorrow will be the end of an era for Virginia basketball, but part of the beginning of another, not just at a new stadium, but hopefully for a team that will continue to amaze and astound Wahoos everywhere. I'll be at the stadium nice and early tomorrow, and I hope everyone else attending the game will be loud and excited as well.