Mohammed back at full strength

During the good times and the bad, Virginia coach Debbie Ryan has always leaned on a passionate fanbase.
While actual attendance figures often fluctuate based on the talents of the opposition (or lack thereof), those that arrive with consistency seldom miss a storyline.
That was evidenced last week when Aisha Mohammed, the team’s star center, returned off the bench against Georgia after missing four games following minor knee surgery.
The fans screamed in unison at decibel level matched only by the introduction of Ryan and junior forward Monica Wright during the flashy pregame activities at John Paul Jones Arena, a feat that is likely to occur today in the Cavaliers’ ACC opener against Wake Forest at 2 p.m.
Mohammed, however, was caught off guard by the reaction. While she appreciated the gesture, something she earned with 19 career double-doubles, Mohammed failed to score in her return.
She just was not comfortable, managing to play in a pair of stints as a reserve for the first time in her career.
On Monday against St. Francis (Pa.), Mohammed returned to her natural spot, earning a start in the 16-point victory that lifted Virginia to 13-2 overall. She scored 16 points and grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds.
“I would say that it made a difference for me starting,” said Mohammed, who is from Lagos, Nigeria. “Sitting on the bench you can’t warm up before you can go into the game.
“For me starting is really good. It kind of helped me.”
While Mohammed’s return finally gave Virginia’s starting lineup the look that many expected when Lyndra Littles returned from her early-season absence, the Cavaliers’ bench struggled. In fact, the six reserves that played shot 23.3 percent (7 for 30) from the field.
“Part of it is youth,” Ryan said. “There is a lot of youth in that second group. Part of is that and part of it is that somebody has to light a fire under them. I guess I do. I am doing that right now. They know.
“We didn’t back off [in practice]. We went through a drill that was supposed to be five minutes and ended up going 20 minutes. That’s on them. Practice is as long as they want it to be.”
With a marquee matchup at No. 2 North Carolina on Friday looming, Wake Forest could provide the Cavaliers’ second unit an opportunity to showcase their improvements.
After opening the season 12-0, the Demon Deacons have struggled of late, dropping games this week at Richmond (45-33) and at Maryland (92-65).
Layups
Wright currently ranks sixth nationally in scoring (22.0 ppg) and seventh in steals (3.6 spg). ... Today’s contest is Family Day. Fans can purchase four tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs for $32.