Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: STORRS, CONN. LENGTH: Medium
While most of the yapping Wednesday at the NCAA Tournament's East Region concerned unbeaten No.1-ranked Connecticut, the Hokies (21-8) maintained their leash was tied to only one pup, tonight's first-round opponent, St. Joseph's (20-8).
``Forget Connecticut,'' said Carol Alfano, Tech's coach. ``Right now, all we're thinking about is St. Joe's.''
Well, most of the time.
``People say, `Oh, no, you're in UConn's bracket,`'' Alfano said. ``Well, personally, I love it. You couldn't ask for more media exposure, you couldn't ask for a better arena to play in.''
Gampel Pavilion, the home of top-seeded UConn (29-0), which faces Maine (24-5) at 8:30 p.m., will be filled with its usual 8,241 fans tonight. The media contingent will be 150-strong.
``Cool,'' said Alfano, who sees UConn, located in Blacksburg-like Storrs, as a possible model for Tech.
``Tech wants to be like Connecticut. We're in a small town, too. People say, `well, you're in a small town, you can't ...' Well, Connecticut is doing it. That's your answer.
``So this a good chance for our administration, our staff, our players to see how they're doing it ... just how are they getting all these people here?
``First, you start with winning. They're doing it because they're winning. And we're starting to win now. So hopefully, we can emulate some of the things they do here.''
The first step in that direction would be to dispose of St. Joe's. If Tech wants to catch the escalator up, it's got to start somewhere.
An NCAA Tournament victory would help. Sure, the Hokies are new to this gig, but they won't ever get a better chance than tonight.
Alfano's gun is loaded with four senior starters, who have carried the load as Tech shoveled itself from the depths the past three seasons.
``We're more focused this time,'' said Jenny Root, the linchpin in Tech's resurgence. ``Last year, our goal was simply to make the NCAA and go somewhere.
``This time, we're thinking win, and then let's see what happens the second round. Sssssh! I'd better not say that too loud. Somebody here [in Gampel] might be listening.''
The Hokie seniors said the upset loss to Southern Mississippi in last week's first round of the Metro Conference doubled as a wake-up call.
``We know now that with one more loss, that's it, we're done,'' Root said. ``There are no more second chances now.''
The Owls do their best work on defense. St. Joe's led the nation in scoring defense last year and was seventh this season (56.1 points per game).
``We're really very similar teams,'' Alfano said. ``We both play defense. That's the key for us: We've got to be able to put a stop out there.''
``The only edge that's given to us [is that] we have the experience. We have a lot of seniors, they don't.''
St. Joseph's finished fourth in the A-10's regular season. The Owls were eliminated in the conference tournament semifinals by 18th-ranked George Washington.
St. Joe's, which is making its eighth NCAA appearance, shares the basketball. The Owls have three players scoring in double figures, led by 5-foot-11 sophomore forward Megan Compain (12.8 ppg).
TECH TIDBITS: This NCAA Tournament has been much more like the real deal for Tech. Last year, in its first appearance, Tech played host to a first-round game against Auburn and lost 60-51. ``We're traveling, we're on that per diem, we're having fun,'' Alfano said. ``Last year, it was almost just like another home game in a way. This is what it's all about right here.'' ... Something will have to give. Alfano (0-1) and Gaitley (0-3) have never won an NCAA game ... St. Joe's is 3-7 overall in NCAA play ... The Hokies figure to feed the 6-3 Root inside, where she will have the luxury of a size advantage. Root leads Tech in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (8.2).
by CNB