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22 Basketball '86-87 Friday, November 21, 1986 Without Polynice, Virginia searches for a new By LORNA KHAUL Staff Writer If Virginia can overcome the loss of standout center Olden Polynice, the Cavaliers' most valuable player each of the last two seasons, a very respectable year is in store for Terry Holland's troops. The 6-11 Polynice lost his scho larship last summer prior to pleading no contest to a shoplifting charge, and is. currently playing profession ally in Italy. His departure represents a significant loss to the Cavaliers, whom he led in scoring last season with 16. 1 points a game and rebound ing with eight a game. The Cavaliers were 19-11 overall and 7-7 in the ACC last season. Fortunately for the Wahoos, Polynice represents the only loss from last year's starting lineup, which translates into an experienced squad this year for Holland. "We have some strong leadership," the coach said. A key returnee for Virginia is 6 5 junior Mel Kennedy. Kennedy, who was second behind Polynice last season in scoring, averaged 12 points t'fW(t HI - a game while ranking third on the team in rebounding and blocked shots. A versatile player who can start at guard or forward, Kennedy should prove to be a major force on this year's team. In addition, 6-9 senior forward Tom Sheehey will be an important part of the Virginia lineup. Sheehey proved his all-around worth by leading the Wahoos in free throw percentage last season, hitting 59-of-70, and ranking second in assists. Additionally, he was third on the team in scoring (10) and rebounding (4.9) averaging. The Cavaliers will also be counting on leadership from another Kennedy 6-7 senior forward Andrew. He represents a crucial part of Virginia's defensive game, which may be a little weak this season. Last season Kennedy was second in blocked shots with 13 and rebounding with 5.2 per game, en route to being honored as Virginia's best defensive player. Andrew Kennedy also made an offensive impact, finishing first in field goal percentage and fourth in :ii7:.. !(' JiSir scoring, averaging 9.2 points a game last year. Polynice 's departure has left open the center position for the Cavaliers, but they are stocked with possibil ities. Six-eleven junior John Dyslin, 6-1 1 sophomore Tim Martin, 6-8 Bill Batts and 6-9 sophomore Jeff Daniels will all be competing for the starting role at center. With Virginia's pivotman the most inexperienced player in the lineup, it should be interesting to see how Holland distributes the playing time at center. Dyslin and Daniel played some last year, with Dyslin gaining 42 rebounds in 29 games, but Martin and Batts were redshirted. Virginia has an experienced back court with 6-0 senior Tom Calloway and 6-0 junior John Johnson return ing to point guard. Calloway started at point guard last season and led the team in steals with 28 while Johnson led the team in assists last year. Also returning for the Cavaliers is 6-3 sophomore Richard Morgan, Virginia's rookie of the year last :5. v ? gf 1 W X"' ?Htts' tiit iti)it Jicf Fii4t 1fI 1 1 LW I Virginia Roster Forwards No. Nam Hgt. Wgt. Age Class Hometown 34 Bill Batts 6-8 200 19 Fr. South Euclid. Ohio 31 Mark Cooke 6-5 210 18 Fr. Martinsville, Va. 44 JEFF DANIEL 6-9 200 19 So. Indianapolis. Ind. 42 ANDREW KENNEDY . . .6-7 208 20 Sr. Kingston. Jamaica 21 MEL KENNEDY ...... .6-5 205 20 Jr. Long Island City, N Y. 22 TOM SHEEHEY 6-9 233 21 Sr. Rochester. N Y. Centers 52 JOHN DYSLIN 6-11 210 20 Jr. Knoxville. Tenn. 54 TIM MARTIN 6-11 240 20 So. Ridgeway. Va. 32 s 10 4 11 20 12 LANCE BLANKS 6-4 TOM CALLOWAY 6-0 JOHN JOHNSON 6-0 Rob Metcalf 6-6 RICHARD MORGAN 6-3 DARRICK SIMMS 6-3 ANTHONY SOLOMON . .5-10 185 180 160 200 190 213 165 season. Morgan played as a reserve at the off guard position, averaging 5.9 points and 1.9 rebounds a game. New additions to the Virginia squad include 6-4 freshman forward Mark Cooke and 6-5 freshman forward-guard Rob Metcaff. But due J! M? rS '4. , A4 i identity Guards 20 22 20 19 19 21 21 So. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. The Woodlands. Texas Charlottesville, Va. Brooklyn. N Y. Port Edwards. Wis. Salem, Va. Alexandria. Va. Newport News, Va. to all the returnees, these two newcomers probably won't be in high demand. Obviously Virginia's biggest chal lenge will be to overcome the void left by Polynice 's departure. 4 A n n 1 II ii 4, X ::: v. V.::::- M. . AV.-.'.-Tflflv. -.Cw.' r..nit ir r - v tg)f
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 21, 1986, edition 1
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