THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040501
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Junior Rodney Carmichael earned Norfolk State's starting nod at power forward this season when Derrick Bryant moved to small forward.
But until Tuesday's victory over Livingstone in the Spartans' CIAA opener, the 6-foot-5 Carmichael had struggled in his new role.
Carmichael, who played an average of 12 minutes per game last season and averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds, saw his minutes double. Meanwhile, his production didn't, and he at times was hesitant on the court.
After five games, Carmichael was averaging just 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. And against Knoxville, Auburn and West Florida, he scored a total of seven points, making only 2 of 13 field-goal attempts.
Coach Mike Bernard, however, wasn't about to give up on the Fayetteville, N.C., native.
``I told him I knew he'd play better, but that he had to have confidence in himself,'' Bernard said.
Carmichael took that vote of confidence and ran with it, scoring Norfolk State's first basket in its 80-71 victory over Livingstone on a strong drive to the basket. For the night, he turned in a 14-point, seven-rebound performance.
``I scored early and my teammates kept getting me the ball,'' Carmichael said. ``I'm the type of guy who plays much better when I'm in a comfort zone, and making my first two baskets put me there.''
``He went to the hole with more authority,'' Bernard said. ``And that usually gets good results.''
EMPTY SEATS: Playing in front of small crowds like the 215 on hand for the Livingstone game in Salisbury, N.C., is nothing new for the Spartans, who have yet to play in front of more than 500 this season.
Mismatches and poor timing have played a part.
The Spartans opened the season against Augusta College at home over Thanksgiving break, when there were no students on campus. Games at West Virginia Wesleyan and Knoxville gained no better crowds.
When the Spartans played Auburn and West Florida in the Capital City Classic in Tallahassee, Fla., the crowds were at a minimum because Florida A&M's football team was playing in Atlanta in the Heritage Bowl. Florida A&M is the host team of the Capital City Classic.
``January and February is when you get people in the stands,'' Bernard said. ``Not December. But I try not to get myself involved in crowd expectations. There are diehards who will come any time.
``I hope they come out Thursday and Saturday, now that we're coming home. It would be nice to see a few more people in the stands. But in the CIAA, it's very common to have big crowds for only four or five games a year.''
QUICK HIT: After winning his 100th game as the Spartans' head coach, Bernard was quick to deflect some of the praise to assistant coach Mel Coleman. ``This was coach Bernard and coach Coleman's 100th win here,'' Bernard said.
Bernard, in his 11th year as a head coach, is 215-89. by CNB