Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 7, 1995 TAG: 9501090034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS LENGTH: Medium
Junior transfer Keefe Matthews, still hobbled by a right knee that went underwent arthroscopic surgery in November, likely won't play this season, Tech coach Bill Foster said Friday.
Foster had said in December that Matthews, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, might be ready when the Hokies opened Metro Conference play at Tulane on Thursday.
``Keefe is still having a lot of problems,'' Foster said. ``He hobbles everywhere he goes. He's fine one day, then not the next. I think we're just looking for trouble if we play him. Now that we're 13 games into the season, I don't think we can play him.''
By sitting out, Matthews still would have two years of eligibility left starting next season.
Matthews had been expected to be an immediate contributor this season. He averaged 19 points and 11.2 rebounds last season at Jacksonville (Texas) Junior College.
Matthews has spent the year on the bench alongside junior forward Jim Jackson, a two-year starter who is sidelined for the season from back surgery performed last March. Jackson also will be eligible for a medical hardship and will retain two years of eligibility.
With those two out of the equation, Foster, for all intents and purposes, is left with a six-man rotation, including his five starters and reserve David Jackson. The three other players on the short Tech bench - freshman guard Myron Guillory, walk-on guard Kelly Mann and sophomore center Brandon Price - figure on seeing limited duty.
COMPUTER GLITCH: Like most others, Foster said he couldn't believe his eyes when he opened up Wednesday's USA Today and saw the Hokies were rated seventh in Jeff Sagarin's Division I computer rankings.
``That tells me don't ever believe everything you see in computers,'' Foster said. ``That's got to be an error. That's just wacky.''
Tech was ranked 18th in this week's RPI Index, the power-rating system used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
``I think that's a little high,'' said Foster, whose club is 10-2 after Thursday's 78-72 loss at Tulane.
``I think we're probably somewhere between 25th and 50th in the country. A lot of that depends on what night you're talking about. If we had our other players back, we might be there [at No. 18].''
HATTIESBURG HEX: Tech desperately wants a win today at Southern Miss, where it hasn't won since the 1985-86 season.
``I don't know what it is with that place,'' Foster said. ``It's just a tough place to play, I guess. We've had a lot of close games. We just haven't won any of 'em.''
Tech is 0-for-the-1990s against Southern Miss, which has won the last 11 meetings in the series.
Nevertheless, Foster said of today's game: ``I think this is the place where we've got a chance to steal one. I think it's easier to win [in Hattiesburg] than it is winning at Louisville.''
TECH TIDBITS: The Metro is more balanced than ever, Foster claimed. ``I think by this time next week everybody will have at least one league loss. It's so competitive. I think 8-4 will win the league, I really do.'' ... Tech's Ace Custis had 22 points and 12 rebounds against Tulane, his eighth double-double in 13 games. He has fallen either one point or one rebound shy of a double-double in three other games. ... Custis leads the Metro in rebounding at 11.5 per game. ... Tech continues to shoot it. The Hokies are hitting 51.4 percent as a team in their past eight games. Tech has shot better than all 13 of its opponents. ... Through Thursday's games, the Metro was 57-15 against outside competition.
by CNB