Against Clemson, Sene likely to be missing for Virginia again

Still short-handed

Virginia, which plays tonight at Clemson, is likely to be without center Assane Sene again.

Sene, a 7-0 freshman from Senegal, sprained his right ankle Thursday night in the first half against Miami. He was on crutches Saturday, his foot in a protective boot, and didn't play against Wake Forest.

U.Va. coach Dave Leitao said yesterday that he wasn't optimistic that Sene, who'd started six straight games before getting hurt, would play against the Tigers.

"It's gotten significantly better, but it's still not at the point where he's able to put his sneakers on and get out there," Leitao said.

Virginia (3-11, 9-16) closes the regular season Saturday against Maryland, and Sene, one of the ACC's best shot-blockers, is more likely to play in that game.

Seeking revenge

When U.Va. and Clemson met Feb. 15 at John Paul Jones Arena, Sene started but played only seven minutes. The Cavaliers won that game in overtime, so the 18th-ranked Tigers (8-6, 22-6) won't lack motivation tonight at Littlejohn Coliseum.

It's senior night for Clemson, which will honor starters K.C. Rivers and Raymond Sykes, among others. Moreover, the Tigers are looking to end a two-game losing streak.

"I can almost guarantee you with all that I know that they're going to come in as focused and ready to play as any game they've played all year long," Leitao said.

In Charlottesville, Clemson forced 20 turnovers with its trademark full-court pressure. But the Tigers turned over the ball 21 times themselves, and similar sloppiness has marred their recent efforts, too.

Grinding it out

Wake played at home Thursday night against N.C. State. The Demon Deacons visited Virginia on Saturday. Tonight, they play at Maryland, with a 9 o'clock tipoff.

"Like I said the other night, I'm not sure who schedules these games," Wake coach Dino Gaudio said in Charlottesville. "Three games in six days during midterms, I don't know."

He shook his head. "Nine o'clock at night. School night," Gaudio said.

Honor roll

The ACC yesterday honored Duke's Gerald Henderson as player of the week and Florida State's Solomon Alabi as rookie of the week.

Henderson, a 6-4 junior, averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2 blocked shots in road wins over Maryland and Virginia Tech.

Alabi, a 7-1 redshirt freshman, averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 blocks as FSU lost to Boston College and then beat Clemson.

Unsung hero

In Miami's win at Virginia on Thursday night, Jimmy Graham scored no points. But the 6-8 senior had seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block and anchored the Hurricanes' zone defense.

"He's been our most important guy," Miami coach Frank Haith said. "I cannot tell you how much he's done. He didn't even score a basket the other night, but what he did in that Virginia game won us the game. . . . He was remarkable."

Still sidelined

Sophomore point guard Nolan Smith, who missed Duke's game at Virginia Tech on Saturday because of a concussion, won't play tonight against No. 24 Florida State.

"He's coming along," Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski said yesterday. "He still has not done any physical stuff yet, but he's getting better."

Smith suffered the concussion Feb. 25 at Maryland. No. 7 Duke closes the regular season Sunday at No. 2 North Carolina. -- Jeff White