For the fifth time in six years, the Virginia baseball team advanced to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament. That sets up an ACC farewell showdown with Maryland, but Cavalier coach Brian O’Connor didn’t want to rush into that discussion late Sunday night.
“I know a lot will be made of the fact that there are two ACC teams, us and Maryland, playing each other with Maryland exiting the ACC. We will address the series with Maryland in the coming days. I just want to enjoy this regional championship. I cannot turn the switch that quickly to start considering Maryland. I think it is important at this level to enjoy what we have achieved,” O’Connor said after Sunday night’s late win against Arkansas. “We have been in the Super Regional five out of the last six years and I believe there is only one other team who can say that, so I want to enjoy that for now.”
Who can blame him for wanting to soak up the success of another region win? O’Connor’s team is in the Sweet 16 stage of the baseball tournament for the fifth time in six years. That’s rarified air. Florida State is the only other team in the nation that can make that claim. The Cavaliers have made the NCAA Tournament field in each of O’Connor’s 11 seasons, but they had to battle through exits in the first weekend of regional play during his first five seasons.
So while it easy to take for granted just how successful this program has become, that would be a mistake. It’s hard to advance among the country’s final 16 teams year after year.
“I am proud. I am really proud of this club. Every club is different. Last year was a team of guys who were unproven and second years trying to push it forward. This team comes in with enormous expectations and managed those really well,” O’Connor said. “To be the regional champions here and to go into another Super Regional is consistent and speaks to the quality of players that we’re consistently recruiting, it speaks to the consistency of the assistant coaches who remained loyal to the program. I am really proud. I think in sports when you accomplish great things you need to enjoy this, so we will enjoy it and then look forward to next week.”
ACC Basketball Chatter
The long wait until the return of basketball season continues, but that doesn’t stop the summer outlooks from rolling out across the web. The latest comes from Brian Hamilton at Sports Illustrated here. The format includes “state of the champion” and “top challenger” as part of the article.
Part of the thoughts on Virginia echo what we’re seeing across the national landscape in these prediction style articles: “Six of the other eight players who appeared in all 37 games return” … “players like Anthony Gill (8.6 ppg), Mike Tobey (6.4 ppg) and London Perrantes (5.5 ppg, 3.8 apg) will have to assume larger roles” … “Virginia should be in position to contend again. But, again, it won’t be favored to win.”
The Cavaliers, of course, swept the ACC titles this season and made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1995. That extended drought combined with football futility made this season an especially sweet breath of fresh air. But that’s Tony Bennett’s first Sweet 16 at UVa. What happens when there is an extended period of success? That depends on what that success entails.
That brings this article by Cardiac Hill at scacchoops.com into play for The Afternoon Break. The topic at hand is Jaime Dixon’s job at Pittsburgh where his teams have made the NCAA Tournament in nine of his 10 seasons at the helm. Still, the article asserts that there can be some unrest among segments of Pitt fans.
Here are some of the author’s thoughts on that:
“There is no doubt that Dixon has built a very, very strong program that consistently meets or exceeds expectations in the regular season. But the disappointment from most fans stems from what the team has accomplished during March Madness. To be fair, Dixon has guided his teams to the NCAA Tournament in every season but one – 2011-2012 season – but their regular season success hasn’t quite translated to the ‘big dance’.
In their nine trips to the NCAA Tournament under Dixon, Pitt has made three Sweet 16’s and one Elite Eight. They’ve been eliminated in their first game just twice, but have lost in their second game four times. Perhaps it’s the fact that the Panthers haven’t made it out of the first weekend 66% of the time that causes a lot of fans to get frustrated. Perhaps it’s the unknown teams they’ve lost to (Pacific, Bradley, and Wichita State).”
It’s an interesting take to read considering the UVa baseball teams consistent Sweet 16 (Super Region) success as well as Bennett’s program making that level for the first time this season.
Chase Minnifield’s Camp
A few days ago, TAB featured a short blurb on Sean Singletary’s upcoming basketball camp. This edition brings you news of a Chase Minnifield football camp. It is set for Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, from June 23-25. The staff includes Minnifield and his father as well as former UVa teammates Jared Green and Dom Joseph. Click here to find out more.
Selenski’s 100th
Former Cavalier field hockey star Paige Selenski picked up her 100th cap for Team USA in the squad’s first match of the World Cup. Selenski scored a goal in the 2-1 victory against England. Read more here.
“It has been four years since my first game. It’s definitely a lot of hard work and sacrifice but when you get to do something like this it’s just amazing,” Selenski said. “Games like these are so special and mean so much to you. I’m really thankful I get to share my 100th cap and the win with my team.”
Tweet of the Day
Buckle up, the #UVaBase-Maryland Super Regional is the first ever Super between ACC opponents. #CvilleSR
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) June 2, 2014
Hoo-Tube Video of the Day
It’s Super Regional week for UVa baseball and that means this is the perfect way to start a Monday …
