Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 28, 1993 TAG: 9311270124
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Such is the tale of the Hokies' regular-season opener at 1 p.m. today at USAir Arena in Landover, Md., where third-year Tech coach Bill Foster has at least one wrinkle to present the Mountaineers.
Last season, the Hokies were 9-13 when they visited the Mountaineers, who finished 17-12 and went to the National Invitation Tournament. Tech almost won, losing 74-70, and Foster senses a carry-over.
"Our kids think they can play with [WVU]," he said. "I'd rather have them thinking that than wondering if they can."
One of Tech's unknowns today is how much guard Shawn Good can contribute. A projected starter, the sophomore spent most of last week home in Columbus, Ind., with his mother, who is ill. Foster said Good will come off the bench today, meaning sophomore Damon Watlington will start alongside senior Jay Purcell in the backcourt.
That's what Tech did Sunday in an exhibition game against Court Authority, and Watlington scored 24 points on 10-for-15 field-goal shooting.
Good's absence and Purcell's foul trouble in that game, Foster said, "forced us to look at a lot of situations I didn't think we would look at this early."
Power forward Ace Custis played some at center, but Foster mainly was referring to small forward Jim Jackson playing guard and fifth-year senior swingman Corey Jackson in the frontcourt.
Jackson, erratic throughout his Tech career, had 15 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
"I just hope his effort will be consistent," Foster said. "If it is, he and I both can live with the night [his shot] goes in and the nights it doesn't."
Tech shot well in its two exhibitions but did not face a team as physical as WVU, which has experienced inside players in Pervires Greene and Ricky Robinson.
Foster probably will stick with his bigger lineups today, hoping that can neutralize the Mountaineers in a game originally scheduled for Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg but moved to USAir Arena for a lucrative guarantee.
"[The Mountaineers] really know how to execute. They'll run their defense and offense really well," Foster said.
"[For us] there's going to be some slippage, and we're going to have to live with it."
Greater depth gives Foster more lineup options this season, although four players - Custis, Watlington, Purcell and Jim Jackson - played 155 of a possible 180 minutes against Court Authority.
Foster is looking ahead to dates with Xavier (Ohio), East Tennessee State and Tennessee between now and Jan. 2.
"I thought it was important for this team that we try to win our two exhibition games. We're playing a tough December schedule," said Foster, who wants to use Delwyn Dillard (one minute against Court Authority) and Brandon Price (none). "I told them [Friday], `I'm going to try like heck to give 10 of you some looks.' "
by CNB