Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 28, 1995 TAG: 9502280098
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While 13th-ranked UVa (19-7) is considered an NCAA Tournament lock, the consensus is Tech (19-8) needs a victory tonight if it is going to be given an at-large pass key to the NCAA.
``The heat's kind of off [the Cavaliers] ... they're in the `Big Show,''' said Bill Foster, Tech's coach. ``This game is probably more important to us than it is to them.''
While each club is shooting for its 20th victory, UVa has fared much better in the ACC than Tech has in the weaker Metro Conference. UVa is 11-4 in the ACC, with a shot at the regular-season title. Meanwhile, Tech stands 5-6 in the Metro, where it could finish anywhere from third through sixth.
``I think, in terms of getting into the NCAA Tournament, this game does mean more to Virginia Tech,'' said Jeff Jones, UVa's coach. ``But there's a lot that comes into play: the in-state rivalry, the competition between the two schools and the fact we're both going for 20 wins. I don't think it's a game we'll put less emphasis on than Virginia Tech.''
Tech definitely could use a victory over a ``name'' opponent such as UVa. Going by this week's Ratings Percentage Index rankings, the Hokies' biggest victory to date is over Xavier, an 82-55 plastering in early December. The Musketeers are 25th in the RPI, while UVa is No.16.
``This is the kind of game that, if you could win it, could offset a couple of conference losses,'' Foster said. ``Plus, it's late and I think everybody looks at how you finish. Winning late is important, and who you win against is important.''
Foster said a victory tonight and another Saturday at home against Metro regular-season champion UNC Charlotte would put Tech in strong position for its first NCAA bid since 1986.
``I would think if we could figure out a way to win both we'd be in,'' Foster said. ``We're in pretty good shape in the RPI [32nd] and strength of schedule [55th]. If we win these two, we have to [move up] because both are rated ahead of us.''
The Cavaliers had won seven consecutive games before losing 66-63 on Sunday at Wake Forest. UVa, a 70-61 winner last year at the Roanoke Civic Center, has dominated its series with Tech, taking 16 of the past 20 meetings.
Tech, however, beat UVa two years ago 59-53 in Richmond. In that game, the Cavaliers squandered a 16-point second-half lead by shooting 18.5 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes.
``I don't know if it's necessary to bring it up,'' Jones said. ``I'm sure the players recall that game and how painful it was losing.''
Tech sure does. It was the highlight of an otherwise dismal 10-18 freshman season for the Hokies' current junior class.
``All these kids remember it because some of the ones playing now played in that game and had a big part in the win,'' Foster said. ``Especially, Smitty [Shawn Smith]. He had a big game [15 points, 10 rebounds].''
Smith said this UVa club, despite the loss of point guard Cory Alexander to an ankle injury, is much stronger than the Cavs' 1992-93 cast.
``We have to play from start to finish, because Virginia is by far one of the best teams in the nation,'' Smith said. ``Harold Deane and [Curtis] Staples have really stepped up their games since Cory went down. Everybody on our team will have to step up our games in order for us to have a shot at winning.''
Foster said UVa's offensive diversity will present problems for his depth-shy club. Foster noted that Deane and Staples have been lighting up teams from the perimeter, which, in turn, has opened up things inside for Junior Burrough.
``In the past, we've been able to play Virginia and alternate our defenses ... play some zone, pack a little bit and invite the outside shot,'' Foster said. ``That's kind of hard to do right now. They shoot the ball better from the perimeter than any Virginia team I've seen since they had [Jeff] Lamp, [Lee] Raker and that bunch.
``Offensively, we're going to have to shoot the ball. They keep everybody in the low-40 percent range, and getting to 50 [percent] is almost mission impossible.
``We still haven't had a blistering night shooting. This would be a good one to have it.''
by CNB