Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 17, 1992 TAG: 9203170060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This guy perhaps is better suited for a job in a Las Vegas lounge act, plucking hares from a top hat, yanking silk scarves from a nostril, or bisecting a bikini-clad lovely with a hacksaw.
After seeing the 1991-92 Highlanders play hoops, if you didn't believe in magic, you never will.
How in the name of James Naismith did these guys win 20 games?
It's not going too far out on a limb to say they did better than expected.
"I don't think there is any doubt about it," Bradley said.
The Highlanders ended on something of a somber note by losing two of their last three, including an 88-83 upset to Charleston Southern in the semifinals of the Big South Conference tournament. Radford, which had won its first-ever undisputed Big South regular season championship, was the tournament's top seed.
Still, when you tred a tightwire without benefit of a safety net, the fall is never gentle.
The Highlanders defied all basketball logic with their style of play.
Bradley once sent a tape of the Highlanders' four-guard offense - the average height of the lineup was 6-feet-2 1/2 - to his father, himself a veteran of many seasons of college basketball head coaching.
"He looked at it and almost had a heart attack," Bradley said.
Radford held out hope to the last that the National Invitation Tournament would cast a favorable eye its way.
No way, as it turned out. The Highlanders' relatively soft schedule - they were ranked 195 out of 300 teams by USA Today's Sagarin ratings at the close of the regular season - betrayed them in the end. They were one of 12 20-game winners tormented by no tournament invitation.
Too bad. Those who never have seen the team that someone dubbed the Never-Say-Die-Landers missed out on a good show. These fellows knew how to entertain.
What's not to like about point guard Chris Hawkins, all over the floor, a constant disruption defensively and a talented passer and ballhandler?
Or Stephen Barber, the 6-2 forward in a guard's body who became the fourth Radford player ever to gather more than 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds while blocking 85 shots?
Or the versatile Don Burgess, a 6-6 power forward who is being seriously considered as a point guard for next year?
Or the clever sixth man, Brian Schmall, who did a little bit of everything well, especially making opposing players absolutely furious?
Or the mad bombing of Doug Day, the Highlanders' all-time leading scorer (1,482 points) and 3-point marksman (285 made) with a full season yet to play?
Radford pressed and ran vigorously, put up many 3-pointers (making 208 of 521), and scratched back from many second-half deficits (12 of the 20 wins, with four being decided with last-second shots).
Radford will sorely miss Hawkins and Barber, not to mention fellow seniors and Marylanders Nate Joy and Pete Reece, who always were available with a contribution when needed.
Radford learned to live without 6-7 Tyrone Travis, who was penciled in as the low post man before being derailed before the season because of substandard schoolwork. Travis never rejoined the team and his status for next season is considered shaky.
But there is considerable hope for the future. Two starters - Day and Burgess - are back and Schmall is as good as a first-stringer. Tom Gallaher, a 6-7 postman who was slowed by injuries this season, has started at various times.
Center Antoine Dalton, forward Chris Harvey, and guard Jamie Warren have what are considered bright futures.
Radford still has three scholarships to offer and it's looking for an impact point guard plus anybody who can run, press and shoot. If such a player is about 6-7 or taller, that would be even better.
They've already signed 6-9 Jason Gullett, a Kentucky high school player who is averaging almost 25 points and 10 rebounds .Bradley loves Gullett's size, but he also likes his athleticism and the well-rounded nature of his game.
Gullett even has been known to venture beyond the 3-point arc to take a shot.
"I like a guy who can make the three," Bradley said.
Do tell.
by CNB