Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
As a current ``on-the-fence'' team in the NCAA Tournament shakedown process, Tech could greatly enhance its postseason stock with wins over Virginia Commonwealth (Thursday in Richmond) and South Florida (Saturday in Blacksburg).
A sweep of the two Metro Conference games would boost the Hokies (18-7 overall, 3-4 Metro) to the 20-win plateau, and guarantee them of no worse than a break-even record in the league.
``I think our guys know what's at stake,'' said Bill Foster, Tech coach. ``They're well-informed ... they keep up with it.
``They know if we get two this week, we're at 20 [wins], and that's kind of a magic number. They also know if we get the two we're at .500, at the worst, in the league. That's been kind of the national measuring rod for getting into the playoffs.''
Tech figures to be a slight favorite at VCU, which is riding a seven-game Metro losing streak. The Hokies will be a solid favorite to gain revenge against South Florida, which upset Tech 68-66 in Tampa on Feb.11.
Tech, which hasn't won 20 games or gone to the NCAA Tournament since 1985-86, closes against Virginia in Richmond next Tuesday and at home against UNC Charlotte on March 4.
``Our players have talked a lot about being in position this time of year with 18 wins and being able to control their destiny,'' Foster said.
``Last year, we had 18 wins and thought we were going to be in something and weren't. So we're in position to take care of business ... they know it and I think they're ready to get after it.''
By virtue of its win over Tulane last Saturday, Tech moved up from 32nd to 29th in this week's Rating Percentage Index, the power-rankings list used by the NCAA Selection Committee.
``Being high on that list should help us,'' Foster said. ``Then, again you never know.''
HONEST OPINION: While his main man, Ace Custis, has had a heck of a season, Foster likes UNC Charlotte's Jarvis Lang as the Metro player of the year.
``I'd vote for Lang right now,'' Foster said. ``I don't think any one guy is more important to his team than he is. Plus, I like to see seniors, if it's close, win an accolade.''
``I think there are lot of other good players. I think Custis is a definite contender.''
Custis, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, leads the Metro in rebounding (10.8) and ranks fifth in scoring (16.5).
LIMITED VIEW: If you want to see the Metro Tournament, you'd better buy a ticket to Louisville's Freedom Hall.
The only game the Roanoke viewer is guaranteed of seeing is the championship contest on Sunday, March 12 on WSLS (Channel 10).
If Tech loses in the first round, Saturday's semifinals could be mere rumor in these parts. Only if the Hokies win Friday will WSLS carry one of the two semifinal games.
And forget Friday's three first-round matchups. None will be televised live in Virginia.
Home Team Sports (HTS), the regional carrier for Prime Network, which has exclusive cable rights to the Metro, instead will carry the Big East Conference quarterfinals live.
The three Metro first-round games will air via tape delay on Saturday on HTS at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon.
WOMEN'S UPDATE: Coach Carol Alfano's club, which faces No. 2-ranked Tennessee (25-1) tonight at 7 at Cassell, can lock up its first Metro regular-season title by beating Louisville at home Sunday. Tech (19-6 overall, 9-2 Metro) leads second-place Tulane (16-8, 8-3) by one game. ... Tech senior Jenny Root is building a strong case for Metro player of the year. The 6-foot-3 center ranks second in the league in scoring (17.0), rebounds (8.4) and field-goal percentage (.547), and is third in blocks (1.4). Root has been named Metro player of the week three times this season. ... Tech won four of six Metro road games, its first winning league mark away from home since 1989-90. ... Tech, which was 31st in this week's AP Top 25 with 11 voting points, is 1-3 vs. Top-25 foes this season. ... Alfano was inducted into the University of Charleston (W.Va.) Hall of Fame last Saturday. She played on the school's first women's basketball team in '68-69.
by CNB