With the economy struggling, numerous classmates of Virginia forward Lyndra Littles will be envious today.

Ashley Walker scored 20 of her career-high-tying 32 points in the first half, and Cal used its strong inside game to rout Virginia 99-73 Monday night, sending the Golden Bears to the NCAA tournament’s final 16 for the first time in school history.

It only took 20 minutes and a rebounding clinic for Virginia to dispatch that theory on the opening day of the ACC tournament.

After they were snubbed in the past from the ACC’s ultimate award, the voting panel rewarded Lyndra Littles and Monica Wright.

Monica Wright said she was just along for the ride.

“The second half was just awesome,” Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. “Britnee Millner came out with fire in her eyes.”

With one of the most ridiculous “circus shots” in the history of Virginia women’s basketball, senior Lyndra Littles saved the day and perhaps the season.

The roller-coaster ride continues for Ariana Moorer.

It sounds like perfect harmony to the ears of Kelly Hartig.

For Debbie Ryan it is eerily similar to the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys.

Numerous employees inside the Virginia’s John Paul Jones were noncommittal when asked if the backdoor had been left open Thursday evening.

In a newly released mock bracket for the upcoming NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Virginia was pegged as a fifth seed headed to Columbus, Ohio to play Virginia Commonwealth.

In Clemson, S.C., Virginia had three players score in double figures and answered every Clemson scoring run to register a 75-67 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Ariana Moorer had showcased the ability to score. Virginia’s rookie had also shown a Sean Singletary-like knack for rebounding, a rarity for an undersized point guard.

During the good times and the bad, Virginia coach Debbie Ryan has always leaned on a passionate fanbase.