ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 1996 TAG: 9602140009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TECH NOTES
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
When Virginia Tech students began pitching tents outside Cassell Coliseum last week in hopes of ensuring themselves tickets for Saturday's showdown with No.1-ranked Massachusetts, Tech coach Bill Foster was asked if he planned on buying pizzas for the hearty group.
Foster replied: ``I'm going to tell [UMass coach John] Calipari they're coming to see him, so he has to buy the pizza.''
When informed of Foster's comment, Calipari presented a counter offer Monday.
``If Bill goes 50-50, I'll buy 125 pizzas,'' Calipari said. ``We'll get those first 125 ... we'll get a pizza for each tent. But Bill's got to go 50-50. Tell him I've got a friend down there, so we'll get a good deal.''
Well, the ticket-pickup line for the eagerly anticipated game opened Monday and the students came down. Needless to say, there were no pizza delivery men in sight.
Calipari, however, did guarantee the Tech students a veritable basketball feast come Saturday at noon.
``It's going to be a fun game for everybody, the fans and the players,'' said Calipari, whose club, barring a monumental upset loss to La Salle on Thursday will come to Blacksburg with a 24-0 record.
``It may be a very, very hard game for us to win. But the A-10 now, when you talk about 125 tents outside waiting for a game, that's what this league is about, that's where we've taken things. I'm so happy Virginia Tech is in our league. They've added so much to our league it's incredible, and I think we've added to them.''
Unlike most A-10 coaches this season, Calipari said he didn't need a map to find Blacksburg.
``I hate to say this, but I think I've been there,'' Calipari said. ``I can't remember why, but I was down there for something. I've got a good friend who says nothing but good things about Blacksburg.''
Calipari was referring to Ron Everhart, who played at Tech under Charlie Moir in the early 1980s and currently is head coach at McNeese State.
BUSINESS AT HAND: As hard as it may be, Foster said the 10th-ranked Hokies can't afford to look ahead to UMass. First, Tech (18-2) must take care of Liberty (12-9) tonight at 7 at Cassell.
``For our guys we've stressed all year long don't look ahead and don't look behind,'' Foster said. "We play a Liberty team that would love to come in here and get us. They've done it before, so it wouldn't be the first time.''
The Flames shocked Tech 71-65 in Cassell in 1992-93.
``You always have the concern in the back of your mind about looking ahead, but I think at this stage our kids realize how important every game is for us,'' Foster said. ``I think our players have a healthy respect for Liberty because they came here a couple years ago and beat us. We know we have to be ready to play and I think they will be.
``Our key is respect all and fear none. We have to respect Liberty and get after their rear ends, and when Saturday gets here, we can't have any fear about playing UMass and we've got to get after them.''
JOIN THE CROWD: Foster said he's hopeful of a huge turnout crowd for tonight's contest. Last Wednesday, Foster wasn't enamored with the showing of 6,632 for Tech's game with Duquense and let everybody know it in a post-game tirade.
Foster noted Monday his verbal barrage was directed at the Tech students, not the general public.
"The student pickup hasn't been real good for the last couple games,'' he said. "I just want to let 'em know we need their help. They're an important part in getting this going. Their support and enthusiasm helps us.
"Maybe I went off a little too hard. But it seems like every time we go on the road we're playing before record crowds and full houses.
"I was just disappointed we came home and played a conference game and had the smallest crowd we've had all year with the student body here. It was kind of hard for me to understand. I felt like I needed to say something for our kids really.''
LENGTH: Medium: 75 linesby CNB