Sunday's previews:
Virginia Tech (9-9, 0-4 ACC) at Virginia (11-9, 0-4), 2 p.m.
The good news is one of these teams gets its first conference win today; the bad news is the other drops to 0-5 in the ACC. We suspect that will be Tech, as the Cavaliers own this series, particularly on their home floor, where they lead 16-3. No doubt Virginia is still reeling from a crushing OT loss to Maryland on Friday night. Tech hasn't a game in January despite the fine play of Shanel Harrison (12.9 ppg) and Monet Tellier (9.3 ppg). The Cavaliers, struggling to find a consistent scorer since the graduation of Monica Wright, have just one starter in double figure (Chelsea Shine, 11.3 ppg). Sunday is National Girls and Women Sports Day, and the school will honor former Virginia All-ACC track performer and current varsity football coach at Calvin Coolidge High School, Natalie Randolph. Virginia 62, Virginia Tech 53
Virginia Commonwealth (10-6, 5-1 CAA) at James Madison (12-5, 5-1), 2 p.m.
What can we say other than we wish we were there watching the two best players in the CAA in Courtney Hurt and Dawn Evans in a matchup between two teams tied for first in the league. Evans is the nation's top scorer (24.6 ppg); Hurt is third (23.8 ppg) and No. 1 in the NCAA in rebounding (13.4) VCU looked awfully convincing in denying ODU coach Wendy Larry her 600th career victory on Thursday night. As dominant as Hurt has been with 15 double-doubles this season, Andrea Barbour and Sonia Johnson aren't too shabby either. This one might come down to supporting cast, and we give the edge to the Rams here thanks to the athletic Barbour and the towering presence of 6-foot Johnson. Or do we? Lauren Jimenez looked awfully good after returning from concussion-like symptoms and is JMU's leading rebounder. Tarik Hislop averages 10.6 ppg. VCU hasn't been particularly successful against the Dukes, but we like 'em here. VCU 73, JMU 72
Towson (7-10, 1-5 CAA) at Old Dominion (11-6, 5-1), 2 p.m.
Gotta figure ODU coach Wendy Larry gets No. 600 in this one, although we'd be remiss not to bring up Towson stunning the Lady Monarchs on Senior Night last year in Norfolk with an OT win, its first ever in this series. ODU looked gritty in rallying back to nearly send its game with VCU into OT on Thursday, but the Lady Monarchs were hurt by poor rebounding and scoring lulls that allowed the Rams to leave the Constant Center with their second straight win in the building. Towson has dropped five of six, though surprisingly their lone victory in that stretch was over VCU. We're unsure whether Tia Lewis (elbow) will see much action in this one. It's Big Blue's birthday (what is he, like 100?), so free ice cream and cake, cake, cake for the kids and save some for Wendy. ODU 69, Towson 54
George Mason (8-9, 2-4 CAA) at William and Mary (1-15, 0-6), 2 p.m.
After hanging tough with the league's top teams, the Patriots squeaked out a thriller over Drexel on Thursday. W&M hasn't been blessed with that fortune. The Tribe hasn't won a game since beating Norfolk State in December. Taysha Pye has had 11 straight games of 10 points or more, and Katherine DeHenzel leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. Does this mean anything? Not necessarily, though the Tribe has won five of six in this series and we like 'em to break that losing jinx. William and Mary 69, George Mason 62
Hurt is the dirtiest player in the CAA. shes good, but plays dirty
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