ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TECH NOTES
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA
SOURCE: RANDY KING THE ROANOKE TIMES
One thing for certain: Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Bill Foster won't need any high-fired motivational ploys today.
If the Hokies can't get revved up about today's Atlantic 10 tournament quarterfinal against Rhode Island, they deserve an early ticket home.
Rest assured, Ace Custis & Co. haven't forgotten what Rhode Island did to them in Blacksburg on Jan.18. It's not easy to purge the unpleasant memories of a 72-51 loss, Tech's worst loss ever at 35-year-old Cassell Coliseum.
``We haven't forgotten about that,'' Custis said. ``They came in and beat us at our home, so this is a chance for us to come out and get revenge.''
Actually, the Hokies owe the Rams a double-payback. It was Rhode Island that bumped Tech out of last year's A-10 quarterfinals, 77-71.
``I'm sure our kids will be fired up,'' Foster said. ``But we've got to play, too. We need to play well to have a chance at beating that club.''
Tech had no chance in Blacksburg. The Hokies committed 19 turnovers and shot just 32.8 percent (19-for-58).
``We've got some good shooting nights left and we ain't got many nights left to use 'em,'' Foster said. ``So hopefully [today] is going to be one of those shoot-the-lights-out days.''
Foster said the keys for his club will be to run the floor defensively and keep URI off the offensive backboard.
``If you can do that and play well,'' said Foster, ``you've got a chance. If you don't run the floor and you give them lot of second shots, you might as well mail the score in.''
In order to keep up with the Rams, who average 82.8 points per game, the Hokies will have to find multiple ways to score, Foster said.
``We're going to have to get some easys against Rhode Island,'' he said. ``Everything can't be blood and guts. We need some transition buckets and put-backs.''
Coach Al Skinner's Rams have won five straight games, but may need one more victory to ensure their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1993.
BACK TO EARTH: After erupting for a career-high 30 points against Xavier last Sunday, Tech point guard Troy Manns managed just eight points in Wednesday's 56-53 first-round victory over Fordham.
Manns was 3-for-10 from the floor, but did make a huge basket with 41 seconds to put Tech up five. His two free throws with seven seconds sealed the victory.
``It's usually like that when you have a big game like I did against Xavier,'' the Roanoke native said. ``The next game is generally a nightmare. I'm glad it's over.''
Manns had scored in double figures in seven straight games before Tuesday.
LINE OF THE NIGHT: Leave it to Foster to supply the best quip at Tuesday night's pre-tournament banquet.
When presented a plaque with drawings of him on it, the retiring coach said, ``I'm going to hang this on the wall right next to the three blind mice.'' Foster, of course, was reprimanded by the league office a couple weeks ago for calling the officating crew at La Salle the latter.
EASY TICKET: The tournament's move from the antiquated Philadelphia Civic Center to the CoreStates Spectrum didn't exactly have fans frolicking in the aisles Wednesday.
There may have been 300-400 folks in the stands for the Tech game, which tipped off at noon.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB