Despite being a UVa guy, as many of you know, I've been pretty hard on Cavs coach George Gelnvatch because so often his teams have underachieved in big games. (Hence the nickname I promised, before the ACC final, I wouldn't use for a year if UVa won the ACC's). But, this year may be his best coaching effort of the year. Two weeks ago, UVa was a longshot to even make the NCAAs and now they're in the Round of 16 with a good chance at advancing. They entered the ACCs knowing a loss likely ended their season and they've gone five straight games getting results. And, it's not like they've played any bad teams in the bunch. Yeah, two of the games were ties they won in PKs and won was on an own goal but the bottom line is, well, the bottom line and UVa did what it needed to to win and advance. With all the talent UVa lost from last year, I said at the beginning of the season that this would be a tough year for the Cavs. But, I also said that there was enough young talent on the team that by the end of the season, they could gel and they should be a bitch for teams next year. That is looking like its come true. (So, hats off to me, too!) So, after having the worst regular season at UVa since 1980, this team has clicked at the righ time and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy. They are playing great D and the goals are slowly starting to come. They've won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 2000 and they won an NCAA Tourney game on the road for the first time since I don't know when. Not counting the Final Four games played at Neutral sites during the Golden Era, I can't remember the last time UVa won on the road in the NCAAs. And, I can remember just about everything about UVa soccer. So, hats off to Gelnovatch, who has solidified his reputation and turned a season to forget into one to be proud of. And, yes, I realize that by posting this I just I probably just jinxed UVa and put a big burden on them for next year. But, after being critical of Gelnovatch, I thought it only fair to give him the credit I think he and his players are due.
George's run Sandon, I don't think you can jinx a team. I have tried many times. Will UVA prevail vs. a Creighton team that will be missing the MVC's defensive MVP? I say yes.
Glad to see Virginia's resurgence. It's too high-profile a program to be struggling as it has recently. But it also points out that because of scholarship limitations and strong programs now in place at many other schools, it may be very difficult to hoard all the best talent, so a "dynasty" such as what Arena built may be difficult to achieve again.