The prospects of facing a ranked opponent would strike a nerve in the athletes at a host of women’s basketball programs in the country.
Scratch Virginia off the list.
Entering their 20th game of the season tonight against No. 15 Maryland (14-3, 1-2 ACC), the Cavaliers (11-8, 0-3) will be facing their seventh ranked opponent of the season.
Eleven foes to date boast an RPI rating of 66th or better, including Tennessee (No. 2), West Virginia (9), Ohio State (14), Florida State (19) and Georgia Tech (20).
“It is a really a hard schedule, but I think it’s awesome that we get to compete against the top-ranked teams in the country and we learn from every single game,” Virginia junior Chelsea Shine said. “No matter who we are playing we are trying to keep a level of competitiveness and poise that we have every time we step on the court so we can play the same game.”
The tough slate explains how Virginia is not currently projected to make in the NCAA tournament by ESPN. As of now, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Bowling Green and American are listed as the favorites to square off at John Paul Jones Arena in the postseason’s opening two rounds.
Virginia can rejoin the conversation with a winning streak and quality wins, something that is available tonight at 8:30 p.m. inside JPJ against the Terps.
It will not come with ease.
Maryland ranks second in the ACC in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 34.4 shooting this season.
Blessed with a strong post presence, the Terps have four players ranked among the top 20 rebounders in the ACC, including center Lynetta Kizer (7.4 rpg).
“They will be a very different team from what we’ve seen,” Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. “We’ve seen very, very athletic teams the last three [ACC] games and now we are going to be into a different style that will probably be more favorable to us, but I can’t tell until we it because they do have great size.
“They are long and they are tall.”
Ryan expects to face a considerable amount of zone defense from Maryland, something that other opponents have done for obvious reasons. Virginia ranks 10th in the ACC in 3-point shooting, making just 27.6 percent of their long-range shots.
“Maryland is a very young team and they have a lot of size,” Ryan said. “They will probably come in here and play some zone, which is good that we were able to see it.
“We have got to run against some zone and have some confidence against it.”
For the first time in two weeks, however, Virginia enters the pivotal, televised game on the heels of a win.
The Cavaliers managed to outlast Penn 54-45 on Sunday in a game that lacked a true flow.
“I know it wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world, but a win is a win,” Shine said. “We will take it. It’s a good feeling and a big sigh of relief for our team.”
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