hhhT> j eMA9Y. n S> hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhY@hhhhPhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ƞhh(@CIt`@ q 8Qt`@<^iX> <> v> sɟwɟw FҤ <='=_䈰 @=x3D> P )0 44'>1 Ў؎ H"QPSRZ[YY1ɎَѼ| <}r,g|uu <ƀ <rIL}R1҉ 5w ޿))0duddu` ûDL \> s!G}Q} 0uÉRZr?tfFRff1fC0fZf=>  wņ@ <(f8r^P[s Ot0Fs> F ^(FwReadBoot error +H/U   hhhT> j eMA9Y. n S> hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhY@hhhhPhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ƞhh(@CIt`@ q 8Qt`@<^iX> <> v> sɟwɟw FҤ <='=_䈰 @=x3D> P )0 44'>1 Ў؎ H"QPSRZ[YY1ɎَѼ| <}r,g|uu <ƀ <rIL}R1҉ 5w ޿))0duddu` ûDL \> s!G}Q} 0uÉRZr?tfFRff1fC0fZf=>  wņ@ <(f8r^P[s Ot0Fs> F ^(FwReadBoot error +H/U   ers had given great effort and that they had nothing to be ashamed of. Roth labeled the officiating as "loose," but mentioned that, following the technical foul on Rolan Roberts, Tech went eight minutes without a personal foul called, which helped lead to the 13-0 run to retake the lead. The coach pointed out that he cant comment on the officiating, but that he was excited about the game returning to campus next year and that the fans, the band and the cheerleaders did an excellent job Monday night.

Roth asked how they had set up the defense, particularly as it related to Chris Williams. Coach Stokes said that they started the game off with Rolan Roberts guarding him, but that they switched up later and had Andre Ray guarding him, and that he had done a good job. The focus was to get him to put the ball on the floor and make him go away from his strengths. Later in the show, he also commented that they had tried to prevent turnovers which led to easy points. Despite committing eighteen turnovers, they had limited the fast- break points resulting from them.

Roth asked about a few of the plays late in the game. The coach said that he thought that the UVa player got his hand on the ball as Brendan Dunlop was driving the lane late in regulation and lost the ball. He also said that Dennis Mims did a good job getting the ball to Brian Chase later for the three-pointer that would have tied up the game, but that Chase simply missed the shot. He said that it was a good shot for him to take at the time, and that he later told him on the sidelines that there will be other shots other days.

Several callers congratulated Coach Stokes on the game and on the effort put in by the players. One caller commented that he liked everything he saw at the game except the final score, and another commented on the improvement in all phases from last years team and the progress that the team has shown since the beginning of this season. Roth repeated some comments he made during the game about the poise that Coach Stokes showed throughout the game, particularly when some of the calls werent going Techs way.

UMass Game

Roth and Coach Stokes discussed the upcoming UMass game on Saturday. They mentioned that it is a battle of two teams near the .500 mark on the season and that its a big game. UMass no longer features Marcus Camby and John Calipari, but Mack is a very good guard for the Minutemen and Bruiser Flint is a coach that is working hard and striving to improve the team. Roth pointed out the Calipari really built UMasss reputation and that the bar has been raised for his successors. They also mentioned that there may be an unrealistic expectation for their school based on previous accomplishments, and that this may lead to their coach being in jeopardy of losing his job.

Looking Ahead

Roth mentioned that there are five weeks left in the season, and that the Hokies are currently in second place in the Atlantic-10 West Division. If the season ended today, he said, Tech would have a bye in the first round. They are 9-9 on the year, have three of their next four games at home, and many of the players are playing very well. Coach Stokes said that he wants the players to continue with their effort, and that it was important for the players to know what their chances are for the remainder of the season. He said that Dennis Mims is playing very well, and that the guards can be credited with some of that, as they have gotten him the ball in positions in which he could be effective.

They mentioned a few of the recruits (primarily Chris Exilus, a point guard who had a big game recently at his high school) that will be coming in next year, and that a majority of the back court for next year will be freshmen and sophomores. They will undoubtedly battle for playing time, but thats a good thing. Competition is important to maintain the players intensity.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Bill Roth announced that the NCAA passed a new rule that will go into effect this season that will allow the officials to consult the video replay in order to determine game-winning situations. Currently, officials cant consult video replay to determine whether or not a shot was taken before the end of the game. With this new rule, this will be allowed at the end of regulation and all overtime periods. This rule change was prompted by two recent situations in which this was a factor. (Note: Roth indicated that the rule would go into effect immediately, but ESPN has reported that there is not currently a timetable for its implementation, though it could go into effect as early as this week.)

Another rule that Roth mentioned involved a move to have Division I schools play Division II & III schools as their pre-season exhibition games rather than a lot of the foreign schools as they currently do. Among the benefits would be lower costs, increased exposure for the Division II & III schools and potential fund-raising.

Game time for the mens game on Saturday against UMass is 2:00 and radio coverage will begin at 1:30 with the pre-game show.

-- Apex Hokie

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