Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

By Tim Hall
Mar 12, 2010

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Honestly, let's not start thinking Virginia has a shot against Duke just because they had five guys in double-figures against BC.

They still lost nine straight before this game, and they don't have Sylven Landesberg. But Sophomore Sammy Zeglinski said that his team has come together since learning that the star player was done for the year for failing to meet his academic standards.

"Not a formal team meeting but we're all pretty close, we hang out together outside basketball. We know what we gotta do. I'm just proud of our team and the way we stepped up."

Above all else, Virginia is going into Friday's second-round game against Duke with a simple mindset. Why wouldn't they? There's no pressure.

"We're going out there with nothing to lose, because we really don't. Nobody expects us to win," Zeglinski said.

The kid from Philly was the man with 21 points. But now he and the Cavs have to face a Duke team that roughed them up by 18 just a couple weeks ago in their own gym. I asked Zeglinski after Thursday's win how they can hope to stop Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith.

"They're a great team. It's gonna be a fun game because we're gonna give 'em our best punch. They're great players. It's going to be a collective defensive effort, just helping each other out. It's going to be fun."

The ACC Tournament resumes at noon Friday on WRAL-TV. Click for the guide to games and TV programs.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

Another W for Devils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

One of my co-workers is a diehard Duke fan. He told me that he wants the Devils to lose to UVA so they can rest the starters. ?
- Posted by Austin Rivers Is My Daddy

Sounds like Roy Williams LAST year. When your eyes are on the bigger prize, that's the main thing.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

Your friend is definitely not a diehard Duke fan. There is plenty of time to rest up for the NCAA's. While I expect Duke to win, I hope Virginia plays a good game. Duke needs to be continually challenged during the tournament in prep for the NCAA.

RE: Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

One of my co-workers is a diehard Duke fan. He told me that he wants the Devils to lose to UVA so they can rest the starters. ?
- Posted by Austin Rivers Is My Daddy

Sounds like Roy Williams LAST year. When your eyes are on the bigger prize, that's the main thing.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

Losing was not such a bad thing last year. If Lawson had played and re-injured his toe, no Title for the Heels. K would never do that. He places high value on the ACC Tournament Title.

RE: Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

One of my co-workers is a diehard Duke fan. He told me that he wants the Devils to lose to UVA so they can rest the starters. ?
- Posted by Austin Rivers Is My Daddy

Sounds like Roy Williams LAST year. When your eyes are on the bigger prize, that's the main thing.

RE: Virginia feels no pressure facing Duke

They have nothing to lose so they might as well not feel any pressure.
- Posted by c.whit

And then they will lose anyway.

No way, absolutely NO WAY Virginia hangs with Duke today. They may as well not even play this game.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns

I agree with you, but you have to give Virginia some credit. Go Duke Go!!!
- Posted by fideloco

I give them credit for winning yesterday. They played a good game. But they will get downright DESTROYED by Duke!

I'd love to see them win, though. If Duke and Maryland get eliminated, the tournament is wide open.

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