No. 11 Virginia vs. No. 6 Boston College
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Time: 9:30 p.m.
TV: WDCA (Channel 20).
Radio: WTEM (980 AM).
Records: Cavaliers 10-17, 4-12 ACC; Eagles 21-10, 9-7.
TURNING POINT: Although Virginia lost to Boston College, 80-70, on Feb. 4, the Cavaliers have been a different team since that game's second half. Virginia outscored the Eagles by 10 points and played the same five players almost the entire second half. Coach Dave Leitao wanted his team to play with passion and energy and elected to go with his five most energetic players. Since that game, the Cavaliers have displayed those attributes more frequently. "That's the most important part of the game -- having more energy," guard Jeff Jones said. "Your body language is different, everything is different. It's the key to the game."
'GOOD TO PLAY': Freshman center Assane Sene is "good to play" after battling a sprained right ankle since a Feb. 26 loss to Miami, Leitao confirmed Wednesday. Leitao inserted Sene for one minute in Saturday's win against Maryland, but did not feel Sene was ready. "I was ready to play, but when you come back from injury, you're not ready mentally," Sene said. Sene used the early part of this week to feel more secure with the ankle. When Sene is at his best, he provides an imposing interior defender who can alter shots.
BAKER VS. RICE: Leitao assigns junior Calvin Baker to cover the opponent's best guard, a role he embraces. Baker will likely guard Boston College star Tyrese Rice today. The two have played against each other since Rice grew up in Richmond and Baker in Newport News. Rice averages 17.4 points per game, but is capable of more if his teammates struggle to hit shots. Baker's plan is to try to force Rice to play fast, and he is confident that he knows what to expect. "I've seen him have real big games in high school and in college, and I've seen him have bad games," Baker said. "Nothing will surprise me about Tyrese Rice."
-- Zach Berman
