Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9412160014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ahead for the Hokies is an experiment at the small forward spot caused by Jim Jackson's indefinite absence because of last February's back surgery. The current opinion of Jackson's neurosurgeon is that the two-year starter will miss the year. So Shawn Browne, Jim's twin brother David, and even ``big forwards'' Shawn Smith and Ace Custis will take turns at the position.
``[Jackson's absence] leaves us with no minutes over there. I'm glad we've got two extra weeks,'' Foster said of the NCAA's move of the first day of practice from Nov. 1 last year to Oct. 15 this season. ``We'll have guys in different spots longer than we would. I'm not going to be in a hurry to make a decision.''
Jackson averaged 12.1 points and four rebounds in 22 games last year, but had surgery in the season's last week. He's allowed to participate in Tech's conditioning and weightlifting program, team doctor Duane Lagan said. But Lagan said Dr. Laurence Kleiner of Roanoke, who performed the surgery, said the recovery period would be nine to 12 months.
``So far [Kleiner] would prefer that he not play this year,'' Lagan said.
Because Jackson had herniated discs between two different vertebrae, Lagan said, it ``made it a bigger surgery'' and lengthened the recovery period.
Jackson is to see Kleiner again in two weeks and hopes the prognosis changes. Tech's season opens Nov. 25 in the San Juan (Puerto Rico) Shootout. It appears the earliest Jackson would return would be in January; Tech plays 11 games in November and December.
``I want to play, you know that,'' said Jackson, a junior who has a redshirt year available. ``If I have to sit out, I have to sit out. I'm not going to be wasting a year. I'd like to get this thing cleared up and find out what I'm going to have to do this year.''
Foster wants it wrapped up by December. If Kleiner still has reservations about letting Jackson play, Foster said, then ``just forget it.''
One thing the Hokies will remember this year is that 18 victories doesn't equal postseason play. Tech went 18-10 last year, its first winning season in Foster's three years in Blacksburg, but its season ended with a loss to Louisville in the Metro Conference tournament. The Hokies haven't played beyond the conference tournament since 1986.
Seniors Jay Purcell, Jimmy Carruth, Corey Jackson and Don Corker are gone, as are rarely used reserves Mike Davis [used up eligibility] and Delwyn Dillard and Dwayne Archbold [transferred]. Either junior Shawn Good or freshman Myron Guillory will take Purcell's spot at point guard, with Damon Watlington remaining a backcourt scoring threat. No one will replace the 6-10 Carruth's shot-blocking.
That's bad and good, Foster says. Carruth's immobility limited Tech's offense and because 6-foot-8 junior college transfer Keefe Matthews isn't a stereotypical post player, the Hokies will have a three-forward look this year.
``We'll try to create a little more movement,'' Foster said. ``We didn't do a lot of that before.
``I'm really going to go into this thing open-minded, and let them prove to me they can't do something before I decide they can't.''
Foster likes the idea of the 6-7 Custis, a Metro all-freshman team choice last year, at small forward because it makes Tech bigger. Matthews, a slimmer 6-6 Shawn Smith and 6-8 Travis Jackson join Custis as the frontcourt leaders. Browne, a 6-6 1/2 forward who has impressed Tech's returning players in pickup games, should join that group before long.
The departure of Dillard and Archbold, and Jackson's absence, leaves Tech with 10 scholarship players. Foster will conduct walk-on tryouts today and tomorrow to find practice bodies.
``The numbers thing worries you a little bit this year. Staying healthy with this 10 is really going to be important,'' Foster said. ``[But] they all really get along well. I just see 'em together all the time. The new guys are fitting in well.''
by CNB