Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511260002
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Now comes the main course. And before the Hokies push away from the table in 1995-96, odds are they will enjoy a nice dessert, too.
What figures to be the best team in school history - it's the only Tech squad ever to be ranked in The Associated Press' Top 25 preseason poll - begins its expected chow down Tuesday at home against Coastal Carolina.
``This team has the potential to be as good as it wants to be,'' said Bill Foster, Tech coach. ``If we can stay healthy, I think this will be an awfully good basketball team.''
Heading into its first adventure in its new league, the Atlantic 10 Conference, Tech could hardly be more prepared. The Hokies not only have everybody back from last season, but they have added six more players, all of whom figure to be key contributors.
Foster, who at times last season went with six players in a game, now can look down his bench and see somebody else besides trainer Jimmy Lawrence.
``You ought to see [assistant coach] Bobby Hussey this year,'' Foster said. ``He doesn't know what to do with all those guys at his end when we divide up now.
``The main thing with all the bodies is to keep our chemistry. Last year, the challenge was to get through the year with seven guys. The challenge this year is going to be how do you accommodate eight, nine, 10, 11 or 12 guys and keep everybody feeling like they're making a contribution.''
Foster's pat hand, of course, begins with an Ace. Adrian ``Ace'' Custis hasn't played a minute yet in the A-10, but the 6-foot-7 junior forward won't require an introduction.
``I really like that kid,'' said John Calipari, Massachusetts coach. ``He'll unquestionably be one of the best players in our league. He does everything and he does it well.''
Custis, now up to 221 pounds after hitting the summer weights, had 18 double-doubles a year ago, averaging 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. The Ace Man is counting on bigger things this time around.
``I had a conversation with some guys at the Olympic Trials this summer,'' Custis said. ``I was telling 'em they'd better watch out for Virginia Tech because we're out hunting people. I told 'em one day we'll meet, hopefully it's in the NCAA Tournament.''
Custis is flanked up front by returning starters Shawn Smith and Travis Jackson.
The 6-6 Smith, whose two last-second free throws beat Marquette in the NIT final, pounded the weights this summer and has noticeably reduced his body-fat content. The 6-8 Jackson, in addition to his shaven head, also has grown leaner and meaner.
Depth up front will be provided by 6-8 Keefe Matthews (assuming he recovers from a preseason stress fracture in his foot), the 6-5 Jackson twins (David and Jim, who returns from back surgery), plus freshmen Shawne Browne, Andre Ray and 6-9 Alvaro Tor.
In the backcourt, Tech's starting duo of seniors Shawn Good and Damon Watlington is among the nation's best. The capable backups include Roanoke native Troy Manns, who sat out last season after transferring from George Mason, sophomore Myron Guillory and scrappy sophomore Kelly Mann.
With all the reserve power, the Tech starters, most of whom averaged 37 minutes-plus last season, will likely see their playing time reduced by seven-to-eight minutes a game.
``I'd like to play 10 guys a half,'' Foster said. ``I'd like to have a guy at every spot who can come in [and] get three to seven minutes a half for the starter.
``Playing 10 is a great way to play. If we stay healthy I think this will be a 10-deep team where we sub for all five spots in the first half.''
Last season's ironmen say they have no problem with sitting more this winter.
``Our depth might cut down our minutes, but it's going to help [the] team,'' Travis Jackson said. ``We're mature enough to know it's a good thing and we're not going to let it cause any problems. If we'd had any selfish players, I don't think we'd achieved what we did last year.
``We don't lose anything down the line. In fact, don't know if it's down the line because I don't know if they're not equal to us.''
With more bodies, Foster will have the option of pressing and running more. Last season, there was no such luxury.
``I think we'll press [a] little bit,'' Foster said. ``I know we'll run more. Last year we ran only on turnovers and rebounds. When you've got guys playing 37 minutes it cuts down on your opportunities to run.''
Due to no bench, last year's club had to pace itself in games. There will be no such coasting periods this time.
``We paced ourselves at time, and in some games at times, we were not going as hard as we needed to,'' Good said. ``That shouldn't be an issue now.''
The issue for Tech is the NCAA Tournament. This team will settle for nothing short of the school's first NCAA bid since 1985-86.
``If these seniors don't make the NCAA, they'll feel like they had a bad year,'' Foster said.
Just making the NCAA won't be enough, however, the Hokies say.
``We're not going to be content to just make the NCAA and win a game or two and go on home,'' Good said. ``We want to show what Virginia Tech is all about. If we get there, I think we can make [a] lot of noise because we've got a lot of good players, which is what it takes.''
Custis noted the Hokies can't afford to take things for granted. The players have read all the preseason magazines, most of which have Tech somewhere in the country's top 30.
``We have high expectations of ourselves, along with the coaches and our fans,'' Custis said. ``We've got to put [high ratings] aside. Preseason hype, newspapers, magazines - they can't win a game for you. We have to go out and play every game.''
Foster, whose club is picked to win the A-10's West Division, can't hide his optimism.
``I think we've got a chance to be really good,'' said Foster, who needs only six more victories to record No.500 in his long coaching career.
``You never know in this game. We didn't have many players last year, but that team knew how to play together. Will this team, with the new guys, be able to do that? I think so. I know one thing. I like my chances much better with a lot of guys than just a few.''
November
28, Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m.
December
2, at William and Mary, 1:30 p.m; 9, VMI, 1 p.m.; 16, at Georgia (Georgia Dome in Atlanta), 5 p.m.; 18, West Virginia, 7 p.m.; 28, Virginia at Roanoke Civic Center, 7 p.m.; 31, Wright State, 2 p.m.
January
4, UNC Charlotte in Wooster, Mass., 7 p.m.; 7, St.Joseph's, 2 p.m.; 10, at Duquesne, 7:30 p.m.; 13, La Salle, 1 p.m.; 15, George Washington, 9:30 p.m.; 18, Dayton, 7 p.m.; 22, at St.Bonaventure, 9:30 p.m.; 25, at George Washington, 7:30 p.m.; 27, Fordham, 1 p.m.; 31, UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.
February
3, at Rhode Island, 2 p.m.; 6, Duquesne, 7 p.m.; 10, at Xavier, noon; 13, Liberty, 7 p.m.; 17, Massachusetts, noon; 22, at La Salle, 7:30 p.m.; 25, at Temple, 1:30 p.m.; 29, Xavier, 8 p.m.
March
2, at Dayton, 2 p.m.; 6-9, Atlantic 10 Tournament in Philadelphia, TBA.
by CNB