ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 3, 1997 TAG: 9703040026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
The Roanoke College men's basketball team could have its fourth meeting with rival Hampden-Sydney by Saturday. But it will have to play a heck of a game Thursday to have that chance.
The Maroons were seeded fifth in the NCAA Division III South Region when pairings were announced Sunday night. They will travel to play at No.4 Methodist (N.C.) in Fayetteville, N.C. on Thursday.
``We can't look out for Sydney,'' said Roanoke coach Page Moir. ``We've got our work cut out for us Thursday.''
Moir and his assistant coaches went to the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament in Rocky Mount, N.C., on Friday to watch Methodist play. They came away impressed. The Monarchs (19-7) won the Dixie championship on Saturday by beating North Carolina Wesleyan 50-49.
Methodist also has the longest winning streak in all of Division III. Since beginning the season with a 2-7 record, Methodist went through the Dixie schedule undefeated and has won its past 17 games. They have the Dixie player of the year in 6-foot-7 senior forward Jason Childers. Childers was the Dixie tournament most valuable player.
The Monarchs are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1977. The winner of the Roanoke-Methodist game will face the winner of the first-round game between Christopher Newport and Hampden-Sydney. Hampden-Sydney (21-5) won last week's Old Dominion Athletic Conference men's championship and is the South Region's top seed.
For the second consecutive year, the ODAC placed three teams in the men's field. Bridgewater (19-7) is the South's No.7 seed and plays at Maryville (Tenn.) (20-5) on Thursday.
As the No.1 seed, Hampden-Sydney can host the first two rounds of the tournament. The South Region teams must travel to the Midwest for the sectional. Last year the Midwest teams came to the South.
However, there will be Division III college basketball this week in Salem.
The ODAC placed two teams in the women's tournament field. Top-seeded Roanoke (25-2) plays host to Thomas More (Ky.) (18-6) on Wednesday night at the Bast Center in Salem, while Bridgewater meets Christopher Newport in Bridgewater.
For the second straight year, the Division III men's basketball championship will be decided at the Salem Civic Center, and some familiar teams are favored to return on March 21 and 22. Last year's men's champion, Rowan (N.J.), is the top seed in the Middle Atlantic, while national runner-up Hope (Mich.) is the top seed in the Great Lakes Region. National semifinalist Illinois Wesleyan is the top seed in the Midwest.
Tickets for the Division III men's basketball championship are available at the Salem Civic Center box office or by calling 1-800-288-2122.
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