THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412150586
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
It won't count in the standings, which is why Norfolk State's exhibition Saturday night against the Sundance Basketball Club counts a lot.
Five games into the season, the Spartans could use a break, a chance to retool in a game situation without the pressure of conference play.
``It's worked out pretty well for us,'' coach Mike Bernard said of the Spartans' schedule. ``We need a game in which we can establish some rhythm, some continuity on both ends of the floor.''
Rhythmically, the Spartans at times have had two left feet this year. They've played 10 halves, and Bernard considers them to have played well in only two of them.
Much more was expected. Norfolk State, 27-6 last year, has four starters back, had a strong recruiting class and was picked in everyone's preseason top 10. Sports Illustrated picked the Spartans to win it all.
They may yet. But right now, the Spartans are 3-2 and struggling to find that elusive rhythm.
``I certainly didn't plan to be 3-2,'' Bernard said. ``With the lack of consistency we've shown on both ends of the floor, it's been hard to establish ourselves.''
UMass-Lowell's Gary Manchell and Virginia State's Tyrone Hart said the early season victories over Norfolk State are among the biggest wins of their coaching careers. Both also said they fully expect Norfolk State to bounce back.
To do so, the Spartans must:
Find some offensive flow. Norfolk State has had trouble getting good shots in its half-court offense, something Bernard has attributed to a lack of patience. Forward Derrick Bryant, who is shooting a sizzling 67 percent, is the only starter who has shot consistently well. The Spartans have not had much scoring inside, either, or much production off the bench.
How to do it: practice, practice, practice. Norfolk State got off to a slow start offensively last year but hit its stride right about this time.
``Execution and consistency, those are the key words,'' Bernard said.
As for inside scoring, the addition of Blitz Wooten, a 6-foot-8 transfer from LaSalle, should help. Wooten will give the Spartans a strong post-up player who could complement the more finesse-oriented Corey Williams.
Off the bench, swingman Carlton Cooper has shot well. Marvin Stinson, a 6-3 guard, figures to shoot better than his current 36 percent. Stinson was a big-time junior-college scorer who has yet to get loose for Norfolk State.
``After a few more weeks, you'll see our best ball,'' Bryant said.
Get tougher defensively. Bernard has been particularly unhappy with his team's interior defense. Virginia State's big men scored at will at times last Saturday. The Spartans have also had trouble defending the 3-pointer.
How to do it: They've got to want it. Bernard has questioned the team's intensity at times and has said they need to turn it up.
``To this point we haven't had a killer instinct,'' Bernard said. ``The senior leadership is not there yet. That's very, very important.''
The Williams factor: The 6-8 forward is the top returning player in the CIAA and potentially the top player in Division II. Williams averaged 23 points on 50 percent shooting last year but has slipped to 18.6 on 41 percent shooting this year.
How to do it: ``It's a matter of him relaxing and letting the game come to him,'' Bernard said. ``I'm confident Corey will play much better.''
Don't panic.
How to do it: Remember, it's a long season.
``We're not panicking,'' Bernard said. ``We figured if we would do any struggling, we would do it early.'' ILLUSTRATION: File photo
``Execution and consistency, those are the key words,'' coach Mike
Bernard says.
File Photo
Star forward Corey Williams' shot has been off. It may be a matter
of relaxation.
by CNB