December 16, 2008

COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will play at in-state opponent and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) member the University of Virginia in men's basketball Wednesday night, December 17, at 7 p.m. in John Paul Jones Arena (14,593) in Charlottesville.  The Lancers and Cavaliers have met each of the past three seasons with UVA winning all three of the games played on its own court (76-57, 90-49, 91-56).  Longwood (5-5) is coached by sixth-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by 6-5, 225-pound redshirt-junior guard/forward Dana Smith who is averaging 16.1 points and 7.0 rebounds.  Virginia (3-3) is coached by fourth-year head coach Dave Leitao and is led by 6-6 freshman guard Sylven Landesberg (19.0 points, 5.7 rebounds).  The game can be heard locally on Kickin' Country 92.9 FM as well as on the Internet via TEAMLINE.  Live video will be available as well at www.ACCSelect.com.

Series History
Longwood and Virginia are meeting for the fourth time in the sport of men's basketball over the past four seasons.  The Cavaliers won 76-57 last season (2007-08, 12.7.07), 90-49 during 2006-07 (2.13.07), and 91-56 during 2005-06 (2.15.06).  The Lancers are now 0-6 against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools all-time after a 79-57 road loss at Virginia Tech on Sunday (12.14.08), having previously played road games at Virginia (0-3), Boston College (0-1, 81-52, 1.2.08), and Wake Forest (0-1, 88-47, 2.23.05).  Last year, senior Ryan Bogan scored 11 points as the top returning scorer in that game for Longwood, while senior Mamadi Diane and junior Calvin Baker each scored 11 points as the top returning scorers for Virginia.

A Look At Virginia
Virginia has a record of 3-3 after its 66-56 road loss at Minnesota (12.2), its third-straight loss after three-straight wins to open the season.  Against the Gophers, the Cavaliers were led by junior Jamil Tucker with 12 points off the bench.  Virginia is coached by fourth-year head coach Dave Leitao (3-3 / 56-45 / 136-114).  UVA is led by freshman Sylven Landesberg (19.0 points, 5.7 rebounds), redshirt-freshman Sammy Zeglinski (13.2 points, 12 3FG), and 6-8, 233-pound sophomore Mike Scott (10.0 points, 10.3 rebounds).  Others expected in the starting lineup include Baker (9.0 points, 3.3 assists) and 7-0, 234-pound freshman Assane Sene (1.5 points, 2.5 rebounds) who will be seeing action in just his third collegiate game for the Cavaliers.

A Look At Longwood
Longwood has a record of 5-5 after its road setback at Virginia Tech (12.14).  The Lancers are still enjoying their best start to a season since first playing a full Division I schedule in 2004-05, and finest overall since 2002-03.  Longwood played its first nine games in 19 days to open this season, including three road games and two neutral-site games in Las Vegas, before a 10-day break for fall semester exams prior to the game against the Hokies.  Longwood is led by Smith (16.1 points, 7.0 rebounds), Bogan (13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 23-61 3FG), and junior Kevin Swecker (9.2 points, 14-44 3FG).  Others expected in the starting lineup include sophomore Durann Neil (6.5 points, 3.4 assists) and freshman Antwan Carter (5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds).

Head Coach Mike Gillian
Mike Gillian (North Adams State '86) was named the seventh head coach for men's basketball at Longwood on May 2, 2003.  Prior to his arrival, he had been an assistant coach for Jim Larranaga at George Mason for six years (1997-2003) after a year with Coach Larranaga at Bowling Green State (1996-97).  A native of Ayer, Massachusetts, Coach Gillian is 39-121 at Longwood, including 5-5 this year after back-to-back 9-22 seasons, those following a record of 10-20 three years ago during 2005-06 that tied for Division I's seventh-best turnaround season that year.

Playing The Commonwealth
Longwood has now played 12 of the other 13 Division I schools located within the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2003-04.  They include Hampton, James Madison, Liberty, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Radford, Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Tech, VCU, VMI, along with William and Mary.  The only other Virginia school that has not been scheduled previously is George Mason.  However, the Lancers have indeed scrimmaged against the Patriots during preseason on two occasions, including just prior to the start of 2006-07 when George Mason made its remarkable run to the NCAA Final Four.

The Unkind Road
Longwood has traveled to 26 different states and Washington, D.C. while playing 82 games away from Farmville during the last four-plus years, including 68 true road games (5-63).  The Lancers' favorite states to visit since 2004-05 include North Carolina (7) and Nevada (4) along with the District of Columbia (4).  Longwood's record is 4-10 in the 14 neutral-site games.

Team Captains
Ryan Bogan and Dana Smith were named team captains by head coach Mike Gillian for 2008-09, the first year that each is serving in this team leadership role.  Smith is a fifth-year team member, and Bogan is a second-year team member after his transfer from Harcum College in Philadelphia prior to last season.

A True Inspiration & Team Leader
Dana Smith has junior-eligibility after being granted medical hardship waivers following each of the past two seasons for knee injuries.  He has started 42 of 83 career games, including 36-straight games around the two season-ending injuries over the past three years.  Smith is averaging a team-best 16.1 points (55% FG) and 7.0 rebounds, adding 1.8 assists and was named to the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team after averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in the four games against West Virginia (11.20, 17 points), Kentucky (11.24, 18 points), SEMO (11.28, 26 points), and Delaware State (11.29, 18 points).  He ranks 78th nationally in Division I field goal percentage (54.6, 65-119), and leads the team in 12 statistical categories this season.  Smith totals 677 career points and 355 career rebounds, including career-highs of 26 points and 11 rebounds this year.  He has already earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology from Longwood (May 2008), and is now working toward his second degree in business marketing.  Smith's first collegiate knee injury occurred at Norfolk State (11.15.06 - right knee - two menisci), and the second was at JMU (12.5.07 - left knee - ACL) after which he underwent successful reconstructive surgery (12.27.07); it was his third knee injury in four years, including one as a high school senior (right knee - 11.17.03 - ACL).

For more game notes and statistical information, please download the PDF linked above ...