Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 9, 1990 TAG: 9003091744
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
From ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan on down to the coaches and players, no one would say the allegations surrounding N.C. State had taken away any of the tournament's luster.
"I would guess you won't hear much more about it [until after the tournament]," Corrigan said during Thursday's practice session at the Charlotte Coliseum. "It's time to play ball.
"I don't think the Duke fans or the [North] Carolina fans are discouraged. It's somewhat different for State fans."
The three-day tournament begins with four games today.
Valvano, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, said the recent allegations surrounding the N.C. State program have taken a toll on the team.
"The last couple of weeks have been so trying," he said. "I don't think it has affected our effort, but maybe our focus."
The Wolfpack (18-11) meets Georgia Tech (21-6) in the last of today's games.
Chris Corchiani, State's point guard, said his team has something to prove.
"We want to try to bring home an ACC championship," he said. "That would make a statement to those who didn't think we could handle the adversity."
Wake Forest center Ralph Kitley, whose 22-point performance against N.C. State center Charles Shackleford on March 6, 1988, reportedly is the subject of point-shaving allegations against the Wolfpack, said the games still are the center of attention.
"I think it [the controversy] is pretty much over," Kitley said after his team's practice. "For a while, it was pretty big. Now, we're getting ready for the tournament."
Valvano has been surrounded by controversy since Shackleford admitted receiving $65,000 from a New Jersey man while he played at N.C. State.
Calls for Valvano's resignation have increased since an ABC News report alleged that points were shaved during the 1987-88 season.
The State Bureau of Investigation is probing the allegations.
Meanwhile, the state attorney general's office has entered the negotiations to settle Valvano's contract.
Under the contract, Valvano is to receive $500,000 if the university fires him without "just cause," but if it was determined that he was guilty of a felony or a major NCAA violation, no payment would be made.
Negotiators are meeting in strict secrecy, hoping that keeping a new series of discussions private will help all sides reach a quicker solution to the question of what to do with Valvano.
With the negotiations out of sight, ACC eyes are turning toward basketball.
Coaches like Clemson's Cliff Ellis and Wake Forest's Dave Odom bristled at suggestions they should be embarrassed by recent events.
Ellis, whose Tigers are seeded No. 1, said the allegations surrounding the Wolfpack won't affect the level of play on the basketball court.
"This is the fans' event," he said. "It's good basketball.
"N.C. State isn't going to come in here and play like a bunch of dogs.
"I think we're [the conference] going through a hard time. I think we'll get through it. It has not affected us, because we've been on such a high."
For his part, Odom said the ACC can weather an occasional controversy.
"I don't remember anyone saying we're infallible, that we can do no wrong," he said. "If there have been any mistakes made, I think the conference will be a leader in correcting them.
"I think you'll find in each instance when things have been uncovered, we have met them head on."
by CNB