Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510050023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The James Madison basketball coach would like to see the Colonial Athletic Association move its annual men's tournament from the Richmond Coliseum, its home since 1990, to the Roanoke Civic Center.
``I'm way in favor of that,'' said Driesell, preparing for his eighth season as the Dukes' coach, ``but I don't have a vote. I don't want to play it on VCU's home court. I think that's ludicrous. But, I think Roanoke would have to put in a heck of a bid.''
Until the Rams joined the Colonial this year, that conference's only Richmond-based team was the University of Richmond, which plays its home games at the Robins Center. VCU, which previously belonged to the Metro Conference, plays at the Richmond Coliseum.
``I went through that at Maryland, playing [the ACC tournament] down there in North Carolina,'' Driesell said, ``and that wasn't even on somebody's home court. I just think, if Roanoke really wanted it, this is the only big building [without a school affiliation] other than Hampton.''
Driesell's interest in Roanoke doesn't end with the CAA tournament. Driesell and his buddy, promoter Russ Potts, tried to bring Louisville to Roanoke to play the Dukes.
``I dropped a game to do it,'' said Driesell, whose Monday speech will come at the Roanoke Civic Center. ``Then, all of a sudden, Louisville drops out. I'd love to play in Roanoke. I think it's a great arena. I think it's a town waiting for somebody to bring some good basketball in there.
``I'd love to play Virginia and Virginia Tech over there every year, but neither one of them will play us. ... You figure it out. They're scared we'll beat 'em, I reckon, I don't know. Virginia plays everyone in the state but us.''
The Cavaliers will play six non-conference games against in-state opposition, including Tech at the Roanoke Civic Center and Richmond in Richmond.
``All I know is we'll play 'em,'' Driesell said. ``We'll play anybody in the country home-and-home. I'm not going to play anybody two-for-one, or on their home court. But, I'll play 'em on a neutral court anywhere and split the gate.
``I'm telling you, we can't get guys to play us. Know what I'm saying? I've got to jump on Terry [Holland, the UVa athletic director]. Even when he was over there [as coach], when I first got here, he wouldn't play us. And I was the one who got him the job, or helped him get the job.''
RECRUITING: Driesell said the Dukes have two oral commitments, one presumably from 6-foot-5 Bobby Wimbush from George Washington High School in Danville, who made his intentions known as a junior. The other, according to recruiting services, is 6-9 Rob Strickland from Pleasantville, N.J.
Malik Allen, a 6-foot-9 post player from Medford, N.J., backed out of a scheduled visit to Virginia during the past weekend. Several services have linked UVa with 7-1 Loren Woodsfrom St.Louis, but until now the Cavaliers have concentrated their attention on Allen.
UVa is in good shape with 6-5 Willie Dersch, rated one of the top 20 prospects in the country by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons. Dersch, from Holy Cross High School in Flushing, N.Y., visited Charlottesville during the weekend, but still has a trip coming to North Carolina for Midnight Madness.
LEAVE EARLY: Virginia Tech fans planning to attend the Hokies' football game at Navy should be warned Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, regularly the site of traffic jams, will be more snarled than usual Saturday. A national boat show and the pope's visit to Baltimore could pose big problems before a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
LATE RECRUIT: Now that he has been on campus for six weeks, it can be reported that Tech's last scholarship recruit was Mike Kilgore, a 6-3 punter from Palm Beach Harbor, Fla. A grant-in-aid became available when signee Shannon Rice, a wide receiver-defensive back, did not enroll.
Tech coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday he intends to redshirt 13 of the Hokies' 19 recruits. Signees who have played are linebacker Myron Newsome, a junior college transfer; outside linebacker Tyron Edmond; defensive backs Keion Carpenter, Loren Johnson and Pierson Prioleau; and kick-blocking specialist Angelo Harrison.
PYNE STARTING: Jim Pyne, an All-America center at Virginia Tech in 1994, has started at left guard for Tampa Bay in the past two games. The Buccaneers' coaches gave Pyne the highest grade for a Tampa Bay offensive lineman in a 14-6 victory over Washington on Sept.24.
IN THE BIG EAST: An open date comes at a good time for West Virginia, which lost quarterback Chad Johnston in the second quarter of a 23-20 loss to East Carolina on Saturday. Johnston, who has a sprained right knee, is listed as questionable for an Oct.14 visit to Boston College.
IN THE ACC: Clemson will travel back in time this week, when it will wear replicas of its uniforms from 1939, when the Tigers won the Southern Conference championship and defeated Boston College in the Sugar Bowl. It will be only the second night game since 1956 for the Tigers, who entertain Georgia in the last game of a 59-game series dating to 1897.
GENERALS GET LIFT: Washington and Lee has a 4-2 record the past two years in games started by tailback Seth McKinley, who has been cleared to play Saturday against Davidson. McKinley came to prominence against the Wildcats last year, when he rushed for 61 yards in the second half, including the game-winning touchdown.
NON-REVENUE: Roanoke College is ranked 20th in NCAA Division III field hockey this week. It is the first appearance in the polls for the Maroons, who are 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Top-ranked Eastern Mennonite (9-0, 3-0) entertains Roanoke on Oct.17.
by CNB