THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 1997 TAG: 9701220549
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 68 lines
Tim Duncan is Wake Forest coach Dave Odom's security blanket.
Whenever Odom looks at an upcoming game, such as Thursday night's contest at Clemson, he calms himself with the thought that ``21 (Duncan) is on my side.''
That explains why Duncan has sat out only four minutes of the Deacons' six ACC games this season.
``That is four minutes more than I intended for him to miss, too,'' Odom quipped Tuesday when reminded of the statistic.
Realistically, though, Odom knows he needs to get Duncan more rest. The point was hammered home Monday when Duncan visited Odom to chat about the Deacons' first loss of the season, to Maryland on Sunday.
Odom said Duncan told him that Maryland's Rodney Elliott got a layup off him late in the game because he was too tired to defend against it.
``I'm not naive enough not to believe he may be better if I gave him a little rest,'' Odom said. ``When Duncan tells me he is tired at the end of the game, I have to rethink what I am doing. Otherwise, I have to get him in a little bit better shape and continue from there.''
Since Duncan already is in top shape, chances are Odom will find a few seconds to give him more rest.
STAMINA CHECK: Duncan may face his most difficult challenge against No. 2 Clemson, the only team with a perfect ACC record following Wake's loss to Maryland.
Virginia coach Jeff Jones says Clemson is ``clearly the most physical team'' in the ACC.
``Their big guys just bang on you and over 40 minutes all that banging and bumping wear people down,'' Jones said. ``At the end you are not at the top of your game and they take advantage of that.''
Jones' argument is supported by statistics. The Tigers are 4-0 this season in games decided by five points or less, or in overtime.
DEANE BETTER: Jones says the swelling in Harold Deane's right shin has gone down and the pain has subsided.
The Cavaliers' senior point guard has been slowed by the injury for almost a month, but it took his suspension from the Duke game last Saturday for him to rest it.
Deane had to sit out the game because of an administrative error in his scheduling for the second semester.
Deane will be back in the lineup for tonight's game in Charlottesville against Georgia Tech.
``It is a big game for us and we are physically better than we have been in some time,'' Jones said.
The only player who might miss the game is reserve Chase Metheney, who has a sprained ankle.
NO EXCUSES: Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins isn't willing to use the loss of point guard Stephon Marbury to the pros after only a year as an excuse for his team's 1-4 ACC record.
He pointed to Maryland and North Carolina as teams that also lost players early to the pros.
``They are doing fine,'' he said. ``Great programs and great coaches can overcome things like that.''
Still, the Jackets have a big problem at the point position and Cremins is disappointed that freshman Kevin Morris hasn't adjusted more quickly. ``He is not as talented as some of the point guards we've had, and I haven't done a good job with him,'' Cremins said.
Cremins might lose another star prematurely to the pros next year.
Junior Matt Harpring says this season is so frustrating that he might make the jump if he gets a chance.