Last year the University of Virginia ended up with a huge disappointment, finishing three games below .500 and missing the Big Dance for the first time in twenty years.

This year things look better. Last night the Cavaliers got past Virginia Tech 70-67 in Charlottesville, in their first match since their in-state rival joined the ACC. UVA outrebounded the Hokies by 22. La Tonya Blue scored 26 on 9-17 (2-4) shooting and herself pulled down 12 boards. Given the rebounding picture, Hokies coach Beth Dunkenberger says she's amazed her team even had a shot.

Once-promising VT drop to 12-6, 2-4 ACC; UVA improve to 15-5, 4-2. All five of the teams which beat UVA have now spent time in the top 25.

At this point as many as seven teams from the revamped ACC have a realistic chance to make the tournament.