ETS crunch time

SCOUTING REPORT

Freshman guard Tim Smith's impact on the Bucs was so immediate coach Ed DeChellis changed the offense for him. More of a deliberate halfcourt team in years past, ETSU does a lot more running and pushing the ball up the court. At the center of the activity is Smith, a fun-to-watch player with a gift for creating offensive opportunities.

Forwards Jerald Fields and Zakee Wadood man the post. They have been key in close games, when the Bucs slow it down a bit and feed the ball inside. This well-rounded attack has made ETSU the sixth-best scoring team in Division I (82.3 ppg). But while the Bucs score a lot, they have given up a lot (75.2 ppg), especially from 3-point range, which has cost them several times this season.

The Bucs lost five of their first 10, including a 68-56 loss at South Florida in the USF Shootout on Dec. 29. But four of those losses, including the one against the Bulls, were to much larger programs.

While ETSU played Virginia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt close in the early weeks of the season, the program hasn't upset a major college team since beating Virginia Tech 68-53 three seasons ago. The Bucs reputation as a scrappy and dangerous NCAA Tournament opponent was well-earned a decade ago, but ETSU likely will have its hands full with Wake Forest.

CRUNCH TIME

When the game is on the line, who do you want ...

Taking the last shot: Freshman point guard Tim Smith has a .420 3-point field-goal percentage and his last-minute scramble-stunners are what made him most outstanding player in the Southern Conference tournament. His quick release on his short jump shots make his shots hard to block and his small size is deceptive. He is second in field-goal percentage to Zakee Wadood, but Smith has been hot in the past four or five games.

At the free throw line: Nicknamed "Mr. Perfect," senior reserve guard Ryan Lawson has missed only 19 free throws in his four-year career and was 94 percent from the line in 2002-03. In the Southern Conference championship win (97-90) against Chattanooga, Lawson sealed it with four straight free throws with seconds on the clock.

Handling the ball: Smith has proved his point-guard worth with a nice balance of speedy footwork and patience. He put up six assists to his two turnovers in a close 80-75 victory over Wofford.

Guarding the opponent's best player: In one of the most exciting games of the Bucs season, Wadood was a crucial defender of the Southern Conference semifinal win against Charleston. He had 10 defensive rebounds, four steals and two blocks in that game, which is par for his better games.

When the game is on the line, who do you not want ...

Taking the last shot: Unless it's in a serene free-throw setting, Lawson's not the best guy to give the ball to before the buzzer. He shoots 36 percent from the floor and needs plenty of space between him and defenders to make his shots.

At the free throw line: Freshman forward Brad Nuckles, at a hulking 6 feet 9, made an impression with a winning tap-in at the buzzer to beat UNC Greensboro on Jan. 4, a play that made the day's ESPN SportsCenter highlights. He was also 50 percent from the line that day. Nuckles shoots a team-low 67 percent from the line.

Handling the ball: Again, Nuckles has some weaknesses here. His turnover-to-assist ratio is nearly 2-to-1 as he adjusts to playing against college defenses. Though he has proved he can excel in no-pressure situations, he falters the most when he tried to take the ball inside on the dribble, especially in closely matched games.

Guarding the opponent's best player: When the game is on the line, DeChellis will call on 6-7, 260-pound forward Jerald Fields to cover the biggest threat. And indeed, he may be the best guy for the job ... unless he is in danger of fouling out, which is a deep and legitimate concern for the Bucs. Fields fouled out in some of ETSU's closest games this season, including losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

The coach

Seventh-year coach Ed DeChellis' team is aggressive at both ends of the court. His fast-paced offense has the Bucs ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (82.3 ppg) and his players are tenacious in their end, too, finishing second on the nation in steals (11.6)/

DeChellis relies on his starting five for big minutes, so fatigue can be a factor late in games. But if the Bucs can get a lead, don't be surprised to see DeChellis slow the pace, protect the ball and let his players take their chances at the free throw-line.

The team

The Bucs won't go quietly if they have a lead coming down the stretch: The team shoots 73 percent from the line, where they iced close games against Charleston, Western Carolina, Wofford and Chattanooga -- and where they capped an impressive 21-point comeback against UNC Greensboro in February.

Not known for its imposing presence down low, ETSU used an unlikely last-second tip-in for an overtime victory against UNC Greensboro in January, a game it knotted in regulation with up-tempo offense and perimeter shooting. Guard Tim Smith (42 percent) can make up ground in a hurry from the 3-point range.

Still, the Bucs' fast-paced, fullcourt style lends itself to turnovers and when opponents capitalize, no ETSU lead is insurmountable. In November, the Bucs blew a lead against South Carolina with sloppy play late in the game.

FUN FACT

More than any other team entering the NCAA Tournament, East Tennessee State has strong ties to the Tampa Bay area. Starting sophomore guard James Anthony graduated from Armwood as the 2001 Times All-Suncoast first-teamer, and sidelined sophomore guard Tiras Wade graduated from Tampa Bay Tech. A likely reason for the connection? Former Robinson coach Scott Wagers, one of Hillsborough County's most successful coaches, is an assistant at East Tennessee State.

Tournament history

After a consecutive run of NCAA outings (three first-round losses) from 1989-91, the No. 14 seed Buccaneers finally made a name for themselves in 1992 by pulling off a shocking upset against No. 3 Arizona. They beat the Wildcats 87-80, then fell to eventual NCAA champ Michigan in the next round.

The Bucs' only other appearance was in 1968 when they beat Florida State then fell to Ohio State. They have a 2-6 NCAA Tournament record.

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