THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 13, 1995 TAG: 9503130118
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Several Old Dominion players and coaches watched Villanova win the Big East tournament Sunday afternoon. By Sunday evening, they were glad they had.
The Monarchs will play the Wildcats Friday in an East Region first-round game at Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, N.Y. Game time will be determined today.
Villanova (25-7) is a No. 3 seed, the Monarchs (20-11) are No. 14. The Wildcats, ranked 13th in the most recent Associated Press poll, finished second in the Big East regular season and defeated Connecticut in Sunday's title game.
``You say Villanova, and the first thing that comes to your mind is Kerry Kittles,'' Old Dominion forward Mario Mullen said. ``He's a great player, the Big East Player of the Year.''
ODU coach Jeff Capel said the Monarchs' own CAA Player of the Year, Petey Sessoms, will probably draw the assignment of guarding Kittles. Kittles led the Big East in scoring with 23.2 points per game.
Villanova will be a formidable task for the Monarchs. But Capel was content with the draw, particularly because the Wildcats do not have a dominating big man.
``The teams with a superstar post player we can't match up with,'' Capel said.
Jason Lawson, the Wildcats' 6-foot-11 center, leads the team in rebounding with 6.5 a game and averages 12.7 points. He had 27 Sunday, however.
Capel said the 14th seed was about what the Monarchs expected, although they had hopes of sliding up to a 13th.
Either way, the Monarchs knew they were in for a tough draw. But ODU is used to playing big-name opponents this season.
``We've proven we can play against top quality teams,'' Mullen said.
The Monarchs played six teams rated in the top 45 in the recent RPI Report, which simulates the Ratings Percentage Index used by the NCAA tournament selection committee. ODU lost to all six, but played well against North Carolina, Virginia and Tulane.
Villanova is No. 9 in the RPI Report that came out Sunday, ODU is No. 92.
``I think we'll put on a good show,'' ODU reserve E.J. Sherod said. ``When you get a chance to play a caliber of opponent like the Big East champion, it should be a very emotional game.''
Ticket information: The NCAA allots 350 tickets to participating schools, some of which ODU will use to accommodate its official traveling party and pep band. Tickets cost $15 per round.
Approximately 50 will be made available to students, who can purchase them beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday with a valid ID card. Big Blue Club members will be allotted approximately 120 tickets. Members will be contacted based on their contribution level until the tickets are exhausted.
Remaining tickets will be distributed via lottery to season ticket holders, including Big Blue Club members. The lottery will take place Tuesday afternoon, and those whose names are drawn will be contacted immediately.
If ODU advances, first-round ticket holders will have the option to renew their tickets at the site. by CNB