Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503180048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Villanova?
``I'm hoping we can use this NIT chance much like Villanova did last year,'' Foster said. ``Villanova didn't have a great year last year, but it got on a roll late, won the NIT, and look where it is now.''
The Wildcats, the Big East Conference tournament champions, are where the Hokies would like to be - nationally ranked and playing in the NCAA Tournament.
Foster sees this NIT offering a similar springboard for Tech.
``This is a tremendous opportunity for us to build for next year,'' Foster said. ``If we could put together four or five wins in this thing, it could really put us in business for next season.
``We've got a good nucleus for a great two-year run. The NIT is the next step for us. Starting next season, maybe it will be the NCAA for us for a couple years.''
The Hokies (20-10) had counted on taking that step this year. But they lost five of their final eight games in the regular season and the Metro Conference tournament and were left off the NCAA invitation list Sunday.
Although his players still are wounded by the NCAA snub, Foster is hoping they will start throwing a NIT fit tonight at 7:30 at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.
``Yeah, the kids are a little down, a little upset over the NCAA deal,'' Foster said. ``Boy, what a difference a year makes. Last year, we'd have taken a bid to China. The NIT is a good opportunity for us, if we use it right.''
Clemson (15-12) poses the first roadblock for Tech. The Tigers went 10-0 and dented the Top 25 rankings before being brought back to reality in the ACC. Still, Rick Barnes' first Clemson team won more games than anyone reasonably could have expected.
``I thought Rick would be a good fit at Clemson,'' said Foster, who coached at the South Carolina school from 1976-84. ``I was very supportive of him as a candidate. I've always pushed Rick. I think he was ready for the move [from Providence].''
Barnes has gotten it done this year by slowing the offensive pace and working the shot clock, just the opposite of the way most of his Providence teams played.
``Yes, I would prefer to play a little faster,'' Barnes said. ``But as a coach, you've got to adapt to your personnel and try to put your team in a position to win games. I'd like to run a little more and get some easier baskets. If we had some people who could get some offensive rebounds, we'd shoot it a little quicker, no doubt.''
Much like Tech, Clemson is young and not very big. The Tigers start two freshmen - 6-foot-4 forward Greg Buckner and 6-7 center Iker Iturbe - and one sophomore, guard Merl Code. Their starting frontcourt of Iturbe, Buckner and 6-5 senior forward Andy Kelly is the smallest at Clemson since 1968-69.
``We're sure not very big,'' Barnes said, ``but I like the fact we've become a solid defensive team. Our guys have bought into this system full-bore, and I admire them for that. They see the size of the others and I think they know we might not have the talent from top to bottom like some others.''
Foster said Clemson's slow tempo concerns him.
``We don't play many teams that value and take care of the ball and run the clock like they do,'' Foster said. ``We don't see that in our league. By them doing that, it puts a lot of pressure on you offensively because you're not going to get the number of possessions you normally get.
``They're going to make us play defense longer than we're used to. And although on paper it looks like we match up well, the matchups are tough because they're going to take our guys to parts of the floor they haven't been lately.''
Foster said the Hokies can't be lulled to sleep by the deliberate Tigers.
``It will take our best effort to beat them,'' Foster said. ``Hey, you don't win some of the games they've won without good players. If we're not ready to play, we'll get our brains beat out.''
NIT BITS: As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 3,800 tickets had been sold for the game. Tech officials are expecting a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000. ... Foster couldn't help but snicker when one reporter asked Barnes on a conference call call Monday about heading into sometimes-hostile Cassell Coliseum. ``This place is like a picnic compared to where Rick's team has been,'' Foster said. ``Has that guy [reporter] ever seen a game at N.C. State or Duke? This is not going to be a tough crowd for Clemson.'' ... All-ACC rookie selection Buckner (12.0 points per game) and Code (11.9 ppg) are the only Tigers averaging in double figures. ... Tonight's winner faces Providence, a 72-67 winner over the College of Charleston on Thursday night. That game will be played Tuesday night on the Friars' court and will be shown on ESPN (cable). ... Besides Providence, the three remaining teams in Tech's bracket are New Mexico State, which beat Colorado on Wednesday, plus Texas-El Paso and Montana, which play tonight.
by CNB