ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: MIDWEST REGION NOTES
DATELINE: DALLAS
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Stan Morrison remembers joking before the start of the Big West Conference tournament in Reno, Nev.
``Tongue in cheek,'' the San Jose State coach recalled Wednesday, ``I told someone, `Hey, we're were just three [victories] away from playing Kentucky.'
``Obviously, I should have bitten my tongue.''
The Spartans, who at 13-16 are one of two NCAA Tournament entries with losing records, joining Central Florida, now should pray they make their way back to San Jose.
The surprise Big West tournament champions figure to be a bug heading for car windshield today when they run into heavily favored Kentucky (28-2) in the 12:30 p.m. Midwest Region opener at Reunion Area.
``We were on the 25th floor of the Eldorado Hotel in Reno when the pairings went up,'' said Morrison, whose club is a 33-point underdog.
``Our guys were cheering like crazy. I thought the altitude was affecting our team. I asked myself, `Are they nuts or what?'''
When asked if he was concerned about the Wildcats being in an ornery mood coming off their shocking 84-73 loss to Mississippi State in Sunday's Southeastern Conference title game, Morrison paused and shook his head.
``I have my concerns,'' he said. ``But they should be concerned about how damned angry I am over all the losses we've had. If we want to put that on the scales of justice, they're going to be dealing with a bunch of lunatics.''
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Kentucky knows how Secretariat felt now. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats are the one club in the 64-team draw expected to win.
Coach Rick Pitino's club is listed as a 1-5 favorite to win the Midwest Region and is a 2-1 pick to win the tournament. Connecticut and Massachusetts, both 7-1, are distant second choices for the crown.
While Pitino acknowledged this is his best chance yet to win it all, he said the world will keep turning if the Wildcats fail.
``Why is this the one year we're supposed to win?'' Pitino said. ``If it is, I'd better pack my bags now.
``We've had five NCAA appearances since I've been there. We're going to have a lot more, so there's no rush.''
Don't tell that to the rabid Kentucky faithful. The Wildcats have won only one NCAA title (1978) since 1958.
READY TO ROLL: Virginia Tech starters Shawn Smith and Damon Watlington, both nursing injuries from last week's Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, indicated they are fit for the Hokies' assignment today against Wisconsin-Green Bay (2:50 p.m., WDBJ Channel 7).
Smith has been slowed by a mild separation of his left shoulder, while Watlington is recovering from a sprained right ankle.
``The shoulder is feeling pretty good,'' Smith said. ``It popped out again two days ago, but I know I'll be ready.''
Watlington said: ``I'm about 80 to 85 percent. Once I get loose, there shouldn't be any problem.''
Smith said the Hokies' Wednesday practice at Reunion Arena was the first tip-off on what the NCAA Tournament is all about.
``It's like a big dream come true going out and having people in the stands to watch you practice,'' Smith said. ``That was like nothing we've seen at Virginia Tech since Coach [Bill] Foster has closed practices. That was great, but I don't think it will really hit me until I step out on that court against Wisconsin-Green Bay.
``The NCAA Tournament. Man, we're finally here.''
LONG WAIT: While Tech is making its first NCAA appearance since 1986, Foster is making his first trip to the big show since 1980, when his Clemson club won three games and advanced to the final eight. Until this year, that was Foster's only NCAA trip.
``It's a good feeling,'' said Foster, who will turn 60 on April 1, the day of the national title game. ``When you look at where we were and how far we've come at Virginia Tech, it's a special feeling for me as a coach. If somebody had said three or four years ago this would happen, everybody would have been asking to check their sanity.''
LENGTH: Medium: 77 linesby CNB