Cavaliers relish underdog status

On the website Facebook, members have the option of filling in a section on their page that lets other members know precisely what they are doing or thinking at any particular moment.

To wit: John Smith is “ready for the weekend.” John Smith is “not feeling well today.” John Smith is “hungry.”

Recently, Virginia freshman Sylven Landesberg got a little deeper.

The Cavaliers’ star wrote, “Sylven Landesberg is ‘not cocky, just confident.’”

Landesberg’s distinction is important when you consider his mindset heading into tonight’s game versus fifth-ranked North Carolina at John Paul Jones Arena. When asked about going up against a team that many are predicting to win the national championship and features a number of future NBA players, the New York native didn’t seem the least bit intimidated.

“We’re ready to compete no matter who it is,” Landesberg said. “You could bring in the Lakers, the Celtics — we’re going to compete. I mean, it’s a challenge, but we’re all up for it and we just can’t wait for this game.”

Unfortunately for Landesberg and Virginia (7-6, 1-1 ACC), the feeling is mutual.

UNC is also chomping at the bit. In fact, UVa has probably run into UNC at the absolute worst time.

The Tar Heels (14-2, 0-2) have dropped their first two league games to Boston College and Wake Forest and sit behind Virginia in the ACC standings. The likelihood of UNC losing its third straight league contest — to a team that has nearly lost as many games as it has won — would seem remote.

But that, as they say, is why they play the games.

“They’re 0-2 in the league, so I’m sure things [haven’t been] so pleasant for them as they’ve prepared for us,” said Virginia coach Dave Leitao. “It will be a major, major challenge for us.”

In last year’s game in Charlottesville, UVa went toe-to-toe with UNC. The Cavaliers matched the Tar Heels’ intensity before losing, 75-74.

One of the reasons Virginia was able to hang tough was its defense on Hansbrough. Lars Mikalauskas, as he had done in previous meetings, was able to get in the head of “Psycho T,” muscling up on the Tar Heels’ All-American and drawing charges.

The onus for defending Hansbrough will fall on sophomore Mike Scott, freshman Assane Sene and possibly senior Tunji Soroye.

Of the three, Sene, who has averaged 2.2 blocks per game, has shown the most promise. His long arms have really bothered opponents.

In the loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Hokies forward Jeff Allen seemed to be looking over his shoulder and was held to a season low of three points.

“He’s a very good player,” said Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, referring to Sene. “He protects the front of the rim. He’s long and he plays hard. He’s active and hard to block out.”

Leitao has been very pleased with Sene’s development.

“He still needs some polish and some other things,” he said, “but his work ethic — his motor more than anything — has gotten us to the point where we’re a better team with him on the floor, and, as a result, it’s earned him the kind of playing time that he’s been getting.”

Of course, defending Hansbrough is just one of many challenges Virginia will face. UNC point guard Ty Lawson is considered one of the fastest players in the country, and UVa’s Sammy Zeglinski will have to work hard to stay in front of him. Meanwhile, Landesberg — Virginia’s leading scorer — will have the likes of Wayne Ellington, Danny Green and Bobby Frasor draped all over him.

“They’re a great team,” Landesberg said. “We just have to really be ready for them because they have a lot of weapons and we have to be able to hold some of them down.”

Dunks

North Carolina leads the all-time series 122-48 (42-30 in Charlottesville) … Virginia’s last win in the series came in coach Dave Leitao’s first season — a 72-68 win at University Hall. … UNC guard Marcus Ginyard is out with a foot injury. Tar Heel coach Roy Williams said the Alexandria native will be missed. “He gives us a guy who’s going to take a charge, who’s going to get an offensive rebound, who’s going to get a key steal, who can bother people with what he’s doing as a total basketball player,” Williams said. “And needless to say, we could use that right now.”… Virginia sophomore Jeff Jones, due to the emergence of Mustapha Farrakhan, had his second DNP of the season against Virginia Tech. … Dick Vitale’s shunning of John Paul Jones Arena will continue. ESPN’s Mike Patrick and Bill Raftery will call the game. Vitale has yet to work a game at JPJ.