THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220708
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Jeff Capel's first season at Old Dominion is just beginning, but he has already produced one big winner.
In their first recruiting season, Capel and his staff landed a quartet of players - center Reggie Bassette, forwards Cal Bowdler and Skipper Youngblood and guard/forward Radee Benson - that has recruiting analysts gushing.
``For a middle Division I program, it's one of the best recruiting classes in the country,'' said Tom Konchalski, who publishes HSBI Report.
Bob Gibbons of All Star Sports said Old Dominion has the best early recruiting class in the Colonial Athletic Association and one he expects to rank in the top 20 nationally.
When asked how often a mid-major program lands four recruits such as this, Gibbons said: ``Rare, extremely rare. They're going to be rated ahead of many programs in the ACC and Big East.
``It gives them a chance to be a top 20 team. He's recruited the talent that can qualify it for the NCAA tournament, and advancement in the tournament. Jeff is building a very nice program.''
Brick Oettinger of The Poop Sheet also said he would rate ODU's class among the nation's top 25. Oettinger said it appears Capel is capable of doing at Old Dominion what John Calipari did at Massachusetts - turning a mid-major program into a national power by attracting higher-level recruits.
``I think Capel has served notice he's going to be an effective recruiter,'' Oettinger said. ``That's going to be a hard program to beat. They could move it up a level.''
Capel's reaction to all the plaudits is typical. He said the Monarchs are thrilled with the recruits, but before anyone starts throwing around labels like the Fab Four or the Four Tops, remember they are still high school seniors.
``I don't think there's any question they're going to have an opportunity to be one of the best classes ever here,'' Capel said. ``I say opportunity because everything now is on paper. They still have to do it on the court, and they still have growing pains to go through.''
Part of the recruiting process reminded Capel of labor pains.
Bassette, a 6-foot-9 center from Highland Springs who is the centerpiece of the class, almost wavered at the last minute on the Nov. 9 signing day. Bassette committed to Old Dominion, then said on the morning of the signing period he almost decided to go to James Madison. He finally signed with ODU that night.
``It was stressful,'' Capel said. ``It came down to the last hour, so to speak. I really hadn't been under that kind of stress in 14 years, since my son Jason was born. It was like being an expectant father pacing around the waiting room hoping your child is going to be OK.''
Based on what the analysts say, Bassette is a healthy recruit.
``Bassette is probably a steal for Capel,'' said Oettinger.
``He is a great catch for Old Dominion, a kid who could play in the ACC,'' said Gibbons, who rated Bassette the nation's 53rd-best high school player. Gibbons said Bassette could have an impact on ODU comparable to that of Odell Hodge.
``Reggie Bassette is one of the two best defensive centers I saw all summer,'' Capel said. ``He's got great shot-blocking ability and timing. He's 6-9, 230 pounds, and he's only 16 years old.''
Fast forward to 1997-98 and check out this starting lineup for ODU: senior Brion Dunlap at point guard, juniors Benson (6-5) at shooting guard, Bowdler (6-10) at small forward, Youngblood (6-8) at power forward and Bassette at center.
Transfer Joe Bunn, who will be a sophomore forward when he becomes eligible next season, will also figure into that mix. Bunn was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference freshman of the year last season and followed Capel from North Carolina A&T to ODU.
Old Dominion expects to be able to play all four incoming freshmen at the same time, although there are mixed opinions about that from outsiders. Gibbons said it would be a formidable lineup, but Konchalski said the wiry Bowdler is not quick enough to play small forward. Oettinger said Bowdler was one of the weakest of the 125 or so players at last summer's Nike camp and will be a role player in college.
Gibbons, on the other hand, said Bowdler could ultimately prove to be the best player of the four. He likened Bowdler's skills and potential to Bobby Jones, the former North Carolina Tar Heel and longtime Philadelphia 76er.
That's a testimony to the unscientific nature of evaluating recruits. So is this: Benson was rated the 64th-best senior player in the country in The Sporting News college basketball yearbook, while Bassette didn't make the top 99. Gibbons rated Benson the nation's 122nd-best recruit.
But collectively, no one disputes that it's a landmark class for the Monarchs.
``I think they're a great class,'' Capel said. ``The four of them together by the time they're juniors should be able to make their mark on Old Dominion basketball.'' ILLUSTRATION: [box]
ODU: The Next Generation
by CNB