Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 28, 1991 TAG: 9102280147
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Brill
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
There are no longer any other candidates for No. 1.
Virginia Tech was awful Wednesday in a game that was capped in the final minute when a student yelled, "Bye, Frankie."
If embattled Tech coach Frankie Allen needed a sparkling performance to save his job, he didn't get it in the season home finale.
The Hokies had their lowest scoring output of the season, reaching 50 points only by sinking six free throws in the final minute.
Oh, did I forget to tell you? Tech won. Going away.
South Carolina registered its lowest points total in more than 20 years, getting 41 against the Hokies in this Metro Conference battle for seventh place.
The last time the Gamecocks scored less was back when they really had a basketball team, in the days of coach Frank McGuire, and opponents resorted to stall tactics.
South Carolina lost at Maryland 31-30 when the Terps held the ball against the powerhouse of the ACC. That was Jan. 9, 1971.
No excuses Wednesday. Both teams were trying to score, but couldn't.
The blessing is that it wasn't on television. It would have been X-rated.
The first shot of the game was an air ball, and things deteriorated from there.
South Carolina failed to beat the 45-second clock on one occasion - I haven't seen that all year, in person or watching the tube. Another time, the Gamecocks threw up a desperation attempt as the clock ticked down to zero.
The next good play South Carolina runs offensively will be its first.
The wonder is that this team:
Beat North Carolina in December.
Once was ranked 12th in the nation.
Has won 19 games.
Until the last week or so, had been considered a likely contestant in the NCAA Tournament.
Even after this performance, South Carolina has the second-best record in the Metro. Spare me the details. Just tell me who were those imposters in garnet?
These teams were trying to score in the first half but couldn't. It ended 23-19, Chickens.
South Carolina still led, 29-23, with 16:37 left. In the next 11 1/2 minutes, the visitors made one field goal. They were outscored 20-3.
In a period of 15:33, South Carolina tried 22 shots and made two. It had more air balls than field goals.
With a spurt at the end, three baskets in 63 seconds, the Gamecocks managed to break 40 points.
It was the lowest total ever by a Tech opponent in the Metro Conference.
South Carolina, of course, is leaving after next week's tournament in Roanoke. The Gamecocks will play in the Southeastern Conference next season, where, based on this performance, they will be greeted with open arms.
Their SEC opener will be against Kentucky. Pardon Rick Pitino if he begins giggling now.
South Carolina's starters struggled throughout. On the other hand, the bench was 0-for-14.
The Gamecocks are last in the Metro on offense, and I think I know why. They don't have one.
I don't know what game coach George Felton was watching, but he said his team played a good first half. I would have asked what a bad half was, only I got to see it.
To give you some idea of how it went, see if you can picture this sequence:
Jeff Roulston, a seven-footer, is placed offensively at the top of the key, where, of course, he was a big threat.
The ball goes to Roulston, who throws it between two teammates. In football, it would have been a field goal. In basketball, it was a turnover.
(If you want another football analogy, South Carolina scored more points in the second half against the Hokies in football last fall, 28, than they did in basketball, 18.)
On the next possession, Roulston got it again. He walked. Shortly thereafter, Roulston got it again. He walked.
South Carolina shot 24 percent in the last half with 10 turnovers. The Gamecocks did shoot 40 percent - at the free-throw line.
These same two teams will take part in a Roanoke Civic Center doubleheader next Thursday night. Fortunately, they are not playing each other. I'm not sure Dr. Naismith is ready for the rematch.
by CNB