Edit: So apparently word has come out that tonight’s game has been postponed. This is probably a good call for everyone involved – except maybe the UNCW guys, who had to come all the way up here just to be trapped in a blizzard.

If a basketball game is played in an empty and silent arena, does it make a sound?

Charlottesville is just being dumped on by the first real winter storm of 2009 – up to 20 inches in some parts – but apparently UNC Wilmington and the officials got into town yesterday and the game will go on as scheduled tonight at seven. Me? I won’t be there. As of an hour ago, my car was snowed in up to the back bumper. Even if I could get to the JPJ, I’d be afraid of Charlottesville’s collective lack of experience on snowy roads picking me off before I got there.

The team is coming off of a disappointing loss against what looks to be a bad Auburn team and a 12 day break for exams. I’d like to think that 12 days were enough time to a.) heal Mike Scott’s high ankle sprain, b.) fully integrate Jamil Tucker into the fabric of the team and c.) learn how to defend against the three pointer. From what I’ve heard, option A has sort of happened – MS is day to day, but will try to go tonight – and option B has not, as Jamil has still not been “cleared to play.” I’m not sure what that means, but I’m guessing it means that TB doesn’t think he’s ready to go. Too bad, especially given this Daily Progress report that he lost 30 pounds this summer on Mike Curtis’s workout plan. Between his discovery of a decent-but-awkward ability to drive to the basket last year (think of the halting steps of a baby deer) and the news that he’s slimmed down a lot, I’m kind of stoked to see Jamil make his debut. As for option C, one would think it will almost have to happen as these guys further absorb Bennett’s philosophy.

About UNCW:

The Seahawks aren’t as bad as their 4-6 record would indicate, as they’ve lost to some familiar names: Miami, Wake Forest, and South Florida – all teams that we could end up with losses to this year. It’s also worth noting that they beat Penn State by double digits in a game they controlled throughout. They’re not going to be a cupcake – if there is even such a thing for this year’s Cavaliers.

UNCW has two primary scorers: point guard Chad Tomko and forward John Fields. Tomko, a 5’11” junior, leads the team with 15.9 points and 4.8 assists per contest. Almost half (49 of 101) of his shots have been threes, and he’s not a great shooter: just .306 from deep so far this year. Fields concerns me more. A legit 6’9,” he’s averaging 14.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and will be a handful for us if Mike Scott suits up and could do some real damage if he doesn’t. After Tomko and Fields, seven other guys average between 7.4 and 5.0 points per game, so pretty much any of them could be a threat.

The Essentials:

1.) No lulls.
Our play this season has been marked by long stretches where we stop playing defense, start taking bad shots on offense, and let our opponents take control of the game. UNCW isn’t going to go quietly, so we’re going to need a 40 minute effort to win this game.

2.) Rebound.
Auburn beat us with second chance points throughout the second half of that game, and the Seahawks are capable of doing the same with John Fields – especially if Mike Scott is out. Assane Sene will need to be smart about choosing when to go for the block and when to box out his man.

3.) Guard the perimeter better.
Tony Bennett’s defensive philosophy has yet to sink all the way in. We’re guarding the post and mid-range game better, but might as well be not guarding the three point line at all for how our opponents have been shooting. We’ve been plagued by backbreaker threes this year.

Loose Balls:

1.) We’re 2-0 all time against UNCW, and the average margin of victory in those two games is 40.5. I’ll be impressed if we can keep that up.

We’ll see how this goes.