THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 6, 1997 TAG: 9702060663
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 57 lines
Norfolk State's expected move to Division I and the MEAC will bring the need for new fodder at Echols Arena.
The Spartans have compiled a 32-4 record at home in the last three seasons and an overall mark of 129-28 in the building's 15-year existence. And while Virginia Union and former CIAA member Hampton, now in the MEAC, have traditionally won at NSU, Echols has proven elusive for many CIAA foes.
Bowie State and Winston-Salem State are a combined 0-23 in Echols. Fayetteville State, John C. Smith, Livingstone and Shaw have each won only once in Norfolk State's arena.
``We feel we have to defend our home court,'' guard Maurice Whitfield said.
Maybe MEAC foes North Carolina A&T and Morgan State, both former CIAA opponents, could serve as replacements.
BURNED OUT: Though the Spartans already have played their last game of the season at Echols, the team is heading into a comfortable stretch - no more three-game weeks heading into the CIAA tournament.
``I feel relieved for myself because I feel my body needs a lot of rest,'' forward Rodney Carmichael said. ``For the team, we need to regroup and find ourselves.''
Beginning with the Jan. 13 game against Livingstone, the Spartans have played three straight weeks with no more than two days between games. Five of the nine games during the span were at home, but with the season-ending road trip ahead, Bernard felt a break was in store.
The Spartans (14-6, 9-3 CIAA) did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but will resume with workouts today to get ready for Saturday's game at Virginia State.
REGIONAL RESPECT: Though no CIAA team is ranked in the Division II top 25, the conference is well-represented in the South Atlantic rankings.
Elizabeth City State (13-4, 9-2) and St. Paul's (12-5, 9-3) are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the six-team rankings. North Carolina Central (15-3, 10-3) is sixth.
PANTHERS' AWAKENING: Not ranked but sending notice in the conference is Virginia Union.
The Panthers (12-10, 8-4), a 1996 CIAA Tournament finalist, lost all five starters from last year and began the season 7-9 to support the theory that this would be a rebuilding year.
However, since dropping a one-point decision to the Spartans last month, the Trojans have gone 5-1, including a victory over Elizabeth City State and Saturday's 23-point win over Norfolk State.
``We got some young players who are not as young now because they have some minutes under them,'' coach Dave Robbins said. ``Our post people have stepped up.''
Yet, most of Robbins' foes warned early on not to buy into the hype.
``I'm still expecting Union and Norfolk to be tough and strong,'' St. Paul's coach Edward Joyner warned during the preseason.
The Trojans finally are proving Joyner to be a prophet.