Virginia's No. 1 fan is hard to miss. Ralph Sampson, 7-4 legend, cast a large presence as he cheered on the Cavs to their first Final Four appearance since 1984. Sampson provides a connection to the program's glory days, when he led Virginia as a three-time Player of the Year. He's also a reminder of the program's long absence from college basketball's biggest stage. Virginia fans felt both elation and relief after an OT win over Purdue in the South final. The Cavs have teased fans with terrific regular seasons and tournament disappointments. Until now. The Cavs are back, and their superfan won't be hard to spot at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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The “sticky” ball that coach Chris Finch so deplores showed up for the first game, after a preseason when offense happened smoothly. On defense, “resistance” was missing, the coach said.
