Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 14, 1994 TAG: 9403140192
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The NIT's 32-team field, announced Sunday night, featured three Metro teams - including North Carolina-Charlotte, which Tech beat twice late in the season - but left the Hokies without a postseason berth.
"No respect," said Tech freshman Ace Custis. "That's all we can say. It's a shock to all of us. We thought the NCAA was kind of far-fetched. But we thought the NIT was almost a lock."
Tech senior Corey Jackson's career ended with the late-night announcement of a field that included 16 teams with fewer than 18 victories and 14 teams with more than 10 losses.
"We're 18-10. Some teams [in the NIT] are barely .500. What are they looking for?" Jackson said.
Tech coach Bill Foster was upbeat about Tech's postseason chances after it won its 17th game, in the regular-season finale at UNCC. When the Hokies beat Virginia Commonwealth in the Metro tournament opener Friday, Tech's coaching staff felt even better about at least an NIT bid.
After Tech lost to No. 14 Louisville in a Metro semifinal Saturday night, Foster said it would be "disappointing" if the Hokies did not wind up in postseason play. Some ESPN reports had the Hokies being considered as an NCAA at-large selection.
But the NIT committee overlooked the Hokies, the 1973 NIT champions who were seeking their first postseason bid since the 1985-86 team earned an NCAA Tournament berth. The NIT took three teams that Tech beat a total of four times - UNCC (twice), West Virginia and Tulane.
Tech had sent a bid to the NIT to hold a first-round game at Cassell Coliseum and had guaranteed attendance of 7,500, a bid that had pleased Foster and made him optimistic Tech could open at home.
"I've got a lot of thoughts, but wouldn't any of 'em serve this program real well to say 'em," Foster said. "I'm just really disappointed for the kids . . . They've worked so hard, and looked so forward to having the opportunity to play."
Metro member Southern Mississippi also made the field, apparently earning a spot with a strong tournament after a 13-13 regular season record that included four one-point losses.
The Golden Eagles, who pulled two upsets to reach Sunday's Metro title game, swept the Hokies in Metro play, but finished sixth in the league standings.
UNCC finished second in the Metro standings, but lost three of its last five regular-season games. Tech won four of its last five regular-season games and five of its last seven overall.
Asked if he could figure out why Tech was excluded, Foster said:
"Nope, not really. You never know what to expect. I'm not the guy making the selections. . . . They don't have to answer to anybody. There's no formula involved. It's just five guys deciding."
The NIT selection committee is made up of athletic directors from Eastern schools, including John Kaiser of St. John's, a member of the Big East Conference, which jilted Tech and Temple when it expanded to 12 teams last week.
One non-conference team that beat Tech, Xavier of Ohio, made the NIT field. Two ACC teams with 16 victories - Clemson and Georgia Tech - made it. The only Virginia school to make the field is Old Dominion, which went 20-9.
All but one of the Hokies' losses were to NCAA teams (Louisville, Virginia and Marquette) and NIT teams (Xavier, Southern Miss and Tulane).
"We get no respect in any category," said Custis, mentioning Tech's lack of Metro awards during the regular season.
"Our season's over. There's nothing you can do. We can start preparing now to earn our respect next year."
Added Jackson: "I had planned on playing some more. I'm just kind of surprised."
by CNB