ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 1996 TAG: 9603050036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 SPORTS EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TECH NOTES
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Bill Foster didn't dare use the word ``lock,'' but the Virginia Tech coach did say Monday he's firmly convinced the Hokies are heading to their first NCAA Tournament since 1986.
No matter what Tech does in this week's Atlantic 10 Conference tournament or how many upsets there are in other tournaments, Foster said he thinks the 22-4 Hokies are bound for the big show.
``I don't see any way we can't be in,'' Foster said during Monday's A-10 coaches teleconference.
``I don't see ... if you've got to do anything more than what we've done now to get in ... I just don't see any way.''
Of course, only a year ago at this time, Foster and his players were thinking NCAA, too. But a 20-9 Tech club got smoked 82-66 by Southern Miss in the first round of the Metro Conference tournament. And despite having the nation's 36th-best Ratings Percentage Index ranking, the Hokies were snubbed by the NCAA. Tech was left for the National Invitation Tournament, which it won.
Foster said the evidence for the Hokies this time is overwhelming.
First, Tech, No.15 in the latest Associated Press rankings, has been in the Top 25 polls all season long, climbing to No.8 on Jan.22.
``When you've been ranked that high all year, how can you not be in the top 64?'' Foster said.
Although Tech has beaten only two ranked clubs - Virginia and George Washington - Foster said winning 22 of 26 times out means something. Only seven of 305 Division I clubs have lost fewer games this season than Tech.
``I think getting to 22 wins gets us over the hump, without any doubt, as far as playing next week [in the NCAA],'' he said.
``Our kids feel like we're in, and I feel like we're in.''
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Tech opens A-10 tournament play in Thursday's 7 p.m. quarterfinals at the Philadelphia Civic Center.
However, the Hokies won't know who they're playing until late Wednesday night. Tech will face either Rhode Island (16-12) or La Salle (6-23), who meet in Wednesday's first-round at 9:30 p.m.
``We'll try to prepare for both teams,'' Foster said. ``We've got a boatload of film on both. We'll try and prepare for both, because just as sure as you make up your mind one of 'em is going to win, you're going to play the other one.
``I think the worst thing you can do in your kids' minds is create something like `all right, we're going to play A' and all of a sudden B wins. Then they say, `well, heck, we're playing B so this won't be any problem.'''
Tech whipped La Salle twice, 71-55 in Radford on Jan.13 and 61-56 in Philly on Feb.22. Tech won its only meeting with Rhode Island, 72-66 in overtime at Kingston on Feb.3.
``We probably need to prepare a little harder for Rhode Island, because we've only played them once, and it's been over a month,'' Foster said.
``Both are very different. La Salle is all zone, do a nice job of matching, shoot more 3s. With Rhode Island, you see more defensive looks - zone you, trap you, man you - and they've got probably a little stronger offensive inside presence.''
NOTHING TO PROVE: Tech was 1-3 in the regular season against the A-10's other three best clubs - Massachusetts, Temple and GW - but Foster said his club's credentials needn't be checked.
``I don't think we have anything to prove, to be honest with you,'' Foster said.
``We played GW pretty well down here [a 79-71 Tech win in Roanoke], and I think the UMass game just got so big down here that we didn't play well because of it. And I said after the Temple game [a 57-41 Tech loss] that I think you have a better chance of playing Temple and playing 'em well after you've played them one or two times.
``I think playing Temple will be a benefit for us. They may hammer us again, but I think our kids will have a better understanding about what you've got to do and how you've got to play at both ends of floor. Temple is a very difficult team to get ready to play if you've never played 'em, and we hadn't. Hopefully, we can do a little better if we get a chance to play 'em again.''
BAILEY QUITS: Point guard Nathaniel Bailey, who signed in November with Tech, has quit his Science Hill High team in Johnson City, Tenn. Science Hill is ranked No.12 in the nation by USA Today.
Bailey had a couple of reported spats with Science Hill coach George Pitts and quit the club at halftime during a Feb. 26 game.
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