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Special by Rob Daniels for theACC.com
 EXPECTATIONS This is a transitional year for a program that hadn't experienced a change on the bench since 1977, when future Hall of Fame coach Debbie Ryan took the reins from Dan Bonner, now well known to ACC fans as a television commentator. It is generally acknowledged that the school hit a home run in hiring Joanne Boyle of Cal to take over, but with no returnees averaging double figures in scoring, it's hard to declare the Cavaliers as immediate contenders.
WHAT'S NEW Boyle, a former Duke player, built a winner in UC-Berkeley, which means she created a successful operation in some of the longest shadows in the sport, cast by Stanford, the rival across San Francisco Bay. Included in the Bears' rise was a 26-point win over the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round of the 2009 NCAA tournament, a result that no doubt caught the attention of an administration that knew, at some point, it would need a replacement for the acclaimed Coach Ryan.
STRENGTHS
Virginia has, at the very least, offensive balance. Three Cavs averaged between 9.0 and 9.7 points a game last year. The key here will be shot selection. Ataira Franklin went 43-of-90 (.478) from downtown last season and will probably need to look for the long ball more often. At the same time, the Cavs will seek to develop a mid-range game, looking in particular to post player Chelsea Shine. If Virginia can get a handle on the match-up zone, one of Boyle's preferred options; it will give itself a chance to stay in most games.
 QUESTION MARKS As is common in coaching changes, the Cavaliers are short on bodies. They have nine available scholarship players, a number that leaves no room for misfortune. It does, however, mean spirited practices because each player knows she's a candidate for playing time. Generally speaking, the Cavs don't have an obvious go-to player at this stage, and they'll probably need to discover one by January.
TEAM MOTTO "Unbreakable." |
