ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601110029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER THE ATLANTIC 10 comes to Blacksburg, and
the weather couldn't be better.
HOKIES ROLLING OUT THE WHITE CARPET
After 17 years in the now-defunct Metro Conference, Tech's change of address officially kicks in at 2 p.m., when St.Joseph's comes calling at Cassell Coliseum.
In an appropriate twist, the 18th-ranked Hokies (7-1) have A-10-like weather for their conference opener. The Hawks (4-4) never could have guessed they'd find perhaps a foot of snow on their initial visit to the league's first and only Southern stop.
``We're going to have to get the snowplows out this season,'' said Bill Foster, Tech's coach. ``I think we're going to find in this league that the word `travel' has taken on a new meaning.''
Today's contest starts a run of eight A-10 games for Tech in the next three weeks. The Hokies have only two non-conference dates - UNC Greensboro (Jan.31) and Liberty (Feb.13), both at home - in their final 18 regular-season games.
Tech players say they have their sleds sharpened for their first run through the ice and snow of the A-10. When compared with such places as Olean, N.Y. (St.Bonaventure), Amherst, Mass. (UMass) and Kingston, R.I. (Rhode Island), Blacksburg might as well be the Florida Keys.
"We know we're going to see a lot of cold weather, a lot of snow,'' said Damon Watlington, a senior guard for Tech. "I don't like that, but, hey, we've seen that before in Blacksburg, too.''
Watlington said he and the rest of the Hokies are ready to check out their new neighborhood. Of course, the Hokies might not be so anxious if they weren't the overwhelming favorite to rule the A-10's West Division, which also includes Dayton, Duquesne, George Washington, La Salle and Xavier.
"We're excited about this new conference,'' Watlington said. "We don't know what to expect. New teams, new places ... it's a new experience for everybody.''
After Tech shivered its way to a 76-60 victory over UNC Charlotte at Worcester, Mass., on Thursday, first-year Tech assistant Greg Elliott had the best line.
Borrowing the old opening of Ray Scott, the longtime Green Bay Packers announcer, Elliott cracked: "And welcome to the frozen tundra ... ''
TECH TIDBITS: Defense continues to be Tech's meal ticket. Except for Georgia, which hit 62.5 percent from the floor in handing Tech its only loss, the Hokies have allowed no team to shoot better than 43.6. Five Tech opponents have shot 37.3 or worse. ... Ace Custis and Watlington are closing in on 1,000 career points. Custis has 980 points in two-plus seasons, and Watlington has 970 in three-plus seasons. ... Custis has either led the Hokies in rebounding or tied for the lead in 52 of his 71 games at Tech. ... While it presents travel headaches, the A-10 will enhance Tech's exposure. Today's game, televised by Home Team Sports, will be the second of a school-record 11 TV appearances this season for Tech.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB