ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 28, 1997 TAG: 9702280072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Not long did it take for the check to arrive and the hangover kick in from the merriment of Radford University's improbable and joyous victory in the opening round of the Big South Conference tournament.
The Highlanders had beaten North Carolina-Greensboro 78-76 under the most improbable circumstances Wednesday. After trailing the entire game, the Highlanders won because Corey Reed buried a couple of free throws after being fouled with less than a second left.
Radford's players and coaches alike behaved as though they'd just walked away free from the underworld after the devil himself had unlocked the gate.
As preparations for semifinal opponent Liberty began, the mood changed when reminders of several unpleasant realities arose.
The first and most important of these for Radford was that star guard Anthony Walker, a senior and the team leader, was still injured with a bad left foot. Walker played 29 purple-heart minutes against UNCG, but he was ineffective at best.
Thursday, Radford officials were still listing him as day to day. Fortunately for Walker's recovery prospects, the men's tournament took Thursday off as the opening round of the conference women's tournament took the floor. Walker did not join Thursday's workouts and was said to be having trouble pushing off with the bad foot.
According to Radford trainer Jackie Clouse, there is little chance of further injury to the foot. Whether Walker will be able to play or not is largely a function of his own tolerance for pain.
The series with Liberty has been plenty painful enough as it is. The Flames (22-8) are the league's hottest team, having won 10 of their last 11. Against Radford, they rarely cool off. Liberty has won the last three and six of the last seven.
The matchup problems Liberty presents Radford start with 6-foot-10 center Peter Aluma. The towering Nigerian had an off night, scoring 12 points and missing seven of 11 field-goal attempts, in the Flames' 83-69 victory over Winthrop in the tournament's opening round.
Aluma worries Radford coach Ron Bradley.
``You face the Aluma problem,'' he said. ``He doesn't score 30 or 40 points per game, but you're always afraid he could.''
Radford advanced beyond the league semifinals only once, losing 81-56 to Winthrop for the tournament title in 1988.
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