THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220553
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
A year ago, the Norfolk State Spartans were picked third in the CIAA's Northern Division. They reveled in their underdog role and finished the regular season 22-4, grabbing a second seed in the conference tournament.
This year, Norfolk State was picked first in the nation - by Sports Illustrated, anyway. The Spartans struggled at times with their favorite's role and finished the regular season 21-4, good enough for another No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, which begins today in the Lawrence Joel Coliseum.
Although it's virtually the same result as last year, given the wildly different expectations, 21-4 has aslightly different feel this season.
But not necessarily a bad feel, according to coach Mike Bernard. Given their slow start, the Spartans are happy to be where they are heading into tonight's 9 o'clock opening-round game against Livingstone (3-23).
``We've had our ups and downs, our trials and tribulations, but we've shown the type of character to come through and at least share in the Northern Division title,'' Bernard said.
The Spartans lost two of their first five games, and then lost leading rebounder Charles Newborn, who was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Newborn has not returned.
Norfolk State rallied to win 14 in a row, however, and climbed to third in the Division II poll. The Spartans lost two of their next four, though, including a painful 73-70 loss to Hampton in which they blew a 17-point lead.
In each of their four losses, the Spartans were their own worst enemies. Many of the players remain convinced that if they play together, they can't be beaten.
``It's a mental thing,'' center Blitz Wooten said. ``Each game we lost, we beat ourselves.''
Lapses in intensity have dogged the Spartans at times. But when they're going well, they can look unbeatable.
After Norfolk State beat the Trojans, 101-71, on Jan. 28, Virginia State coach Tyrone Hart said, ``With what I saw tonight, they should win the whole thing - the national championship.''
A national championship has been the goal from day one. But it's merely the last goal on a long checklist. The first was winning the CIAA North, a title Norfolk State will share with Virginia Union. The teams tied with 9-3 division records, and Virginia Union won a coin flip for one of the tournament's two No. 1 seeds.
The next goal is a CIAA tournament championship, something that eluded Norfolk State last year.
The Spartans certainly have the talent to win it. In 6-foot-8 forward Corey Williams, they have the conference's most talented player, a 25-year-old late bloomer who is considered an NBA prospect.
Derrick Bryant, a 6-5 junior, has stepped his game up to an All-CIAA level, averaging 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. Wooten, a transfer from LaSalle, has filled in ably for Newborn.
In the backcourt, shooting guard Carnell Penn hit 42 percent from 3-point range. He and reserve Marvin Stinson combined to average 23.6 points from that position, while Maurice Whitfield has been steady at the point.
Off the bench, Rodney Carmichael, Matthew Thompson and Carlton Cooper have all had their moments.
If the Spartans don't beat themselves, they may not be beaten.
``We've still got a lot to prove,'' Wooten said. ILLUSTRATION: Forward Corey
Williams leads
NSU against
Livingstone
at 9 tonight.
by CNB