Star JC Guards
Va. Tech's 16-5 record is in
no small measure due to two
guards, both stars last year at
nearby Ferrum Junior College,
which placed second in the JC
nationals.
Bobby Stevens is the Monte
Towe type of short playmaker
At 5-9 he controls his teams
offensive tempo from the top
of the key, scoring mostly on
25 foot bombs.
Steven's backcourt mate
Charlie Thomas, rarely handles
the ball, preferring instead to
roam the baseline in search of
an open jumper. His
movements jerky and quick,
Thomas will cover Barry
Parkhill in a man-to-man
coverage – Tech's usual
defensive strategy.
Tech's remaining starters
boast one-dimensional talents.
Craig Leider is a 6-5 streak
shooting forward who adds
little to the Hokies weak board
strength. Ed Frazier (6-4) is a
defensive specialist who scored
infrequently.
With the mythical state
championship at stake, the
intrastate showdown has long
been a sellout. Although the
contest will be televised in the
Roanoke Valley area, there will
be no television coverage in
Charlottesville.
The teams have split their
last two encounters. The 1971
Gobblers upset the Wahoos in
Blacksburg, 97-74. Last year,
the then seventh-ranked
Cavaliers triumphed easily in U
Hall, 107-85.
Its chances for an NCAA
tournament bid nil after the
Toledo loss, Tech remains a
top choice for the NIT.
Although Bristow downplayed
the contest as "just another
game", an excellent showing is
necessary for Tech's post-season
future.
As a more realistic VPI
source explained, "No
question, it's a big game as any
contest between Virginia and
Virginia Tech will be,
regardless of the sport. The
NIT invitation could definitely
balance on the outcome of the
game."
