1.   A young, exciting backcourt star rose to the forefront Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

2.   Tech is without backcourt stars Noel Johnson and Tabitha Truesdale, and forward Connie Robinson.

3.   The exception is Hadezhda Marilova, backcourt star from a year ago.

4.   Reports had Shammgod jumping to the NBA but the backcourt star with the omnipotent name said here Friday he will stay in school.