THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090521
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Old Dominion's new uniforms are not in yet, so the Monarchs played their exhibition game against the Latvia Select team Wednesday in practice uniforms.
It was appropriate, because most Monarchs practices are probably more competitive.
``A lot more,'' said freshman guard Mike Byers, who scored 15 points.
The Monarchs got their first test against outside competition - such as it was - with a 77-37 victory before 3,628 at the ODU field house. In successive nights Latvia has been drubbed by Colonial Athletic Association teams George Mason (116-67), William and Mary (98-65) and ODU.
It was a rag-tag performance at times by ODU, especially in the first half when it led just 26-20 with 3:45 left and played some defense that left coach Jeff Capel disgusted.
``One of the things I want my team to do is play up to its potential,'' Capel said. ``We didn't do that tonight. After warmups we came out and we knew we were going to win the game.
``They've been getting a lot of pats on the back the last few days because of the Blue-White game and they've been reading the headlines. We've got a lot of work to do.''
One thing ODU hadn't worked on much was zone offense. Latvia surprised the Monarchs by playing zone - Capel said he'd never seen an international team play zone - and ODU struggled at times against it. Freshman Mark Poag, one of ODU's best outside threats, didn't play because of a pulled hip flexor muscle.
Sophomore forward Joe Bunn was strong again inside, leading the Monarchs with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
``I don't think you can get a true feel of how we're coming along against a team like this,'' Bunn said.
Center Odell Hodge had 12 rebounds and 13 points, but made just 3 of 13 from the floor. Old Dominion shot 29 free throws compared to one by Latvia.
The Monarchs play their final exhibition at 7:35 p.m. Saturday at the field house against Court Authority.
NOTE: As expected, Michael Williams signed a national letter of intent to play for the Monarchs Wednesday, his high school coach David Bice said. Williams is a 6-foot-1 guard from Thomas County Central High in Thomasville, Ga.
Old Dominion's other verbal commitment, 6-3 guard Freddie Bryant from Watson, La., has said he will wait until his mother's birthday on Tuesday to sign. by CNB