THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 TAG: 9601170466
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Richmond or James Madison won or shared the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title from 1988 to 1994. They made 10 combined NCAA tournament or NIT appearances during that span.
Given that, a look at the CAA standings today almost elicits a double-take:
The Spiders and Dukes are mired in last place at 0-3 and have a combined 8-19 overall record.
Richmond has lost six in a row; JMU has dropped three in a row and seven of its last eight.
``We've been kind of under siege here,'' Richmond coach Bill Dooley said.
Guard Kevin Connor has been suspended indefinitely for allegedly striking a former girlfriend after Richmond's VMI game Jan. 6. Guard Daryl Oliver played his last game of the season Saturday against Old Dominion; he's been declared academically ineligible by the school, although Dooley said he is eligible under NCAA guidelines. And forward Jarod Stevenson is out for at least two more weeks with a sprained knee.
``Losing three out of your top six players, it's difficult to say the least,'' Dooley said.
Dooley got a call Sunday from starting forward Eric Poole's parents, who said their house almost burned down.
``You get a little bit of a feeling `What's going on next?' '' Dooley said.
Driesell can relate. He said JMU does not have the inside scoring it needs and the perimeter players are shooting poorly.
Driesell said he's changed lineups, pregame rituals, practice approaches and anything else he can think of, but nothing seems to work.
He'll start three freshmen tonight, but admits his team may just have a shortage of talent.
``I've never been in a losing streak like this in 39 years of coaching,'' Driesell said.
``We need to get things rolling. If we can get some wins and get our confidence going, we can cause some people trouble. Otherwise, it's going to be a long year.''
MONARCHS ON THE MEND: ODU could be without two forwards who have started six games apiece when George Mason visits Scope tonight.
Senior Mario Mullen has missed four consecutive games with an inflamed disc in his lower back, while freshman Skipper Youngblood is doubtful with an ankle sprain he suffered Saturday.
Mullen practiced for the first time in two weeks Friday, then watched Saturday's game at Richmond while lying on the floor at the end of the bench.
Coach Jeff Capel said Mullen only went through about one-quarter of Monday's practice because his back hurt.
``Until he is at the point where he can get on the floor for loose balls, we won't use him,'' Capel said. ``I doubt he'll be able to play Wednesday.''
ODU trainer Scott Johnson said Youngblood, who came down on somebody's foot after a shot, is responding well to treatment.
``I hope he'll be back in the lineup by Saturday,'' Johnson said.
Capel said either freshman Reggie Bassette or senior Derrick Parker will start tonight in Youngblood's place.
SHOOTING STARS: ODU has won four of its last five and shot 48.2 percent from the field during that span, compared with 44.8 percent shooting in its first 10 games.
``We're getting the ball inside a lot more and I think our shot selection is a lot better,'' Capel said.
ODU center Odell Hodge - who struggled early this season - has averaged 15.1 points and shot 61.8 percent from the field in his last 10 games.
SHARP PAIN: To say Michael Sharp has had a frustrating last couple years would be an understatement. The George Mason sophomore forward from Chesapeake's Western Branch High will play at Scope tonight, which is an accomplishment in itself.
He underwent three operations on his left knee that caused him to take a medical redshirt last season. Injuries have caused him to miss five games this season and limited his playing time in others to an average of 12 minutes a game.
``He's getting minutes now,'' Patriots coach Paul Westhead said.
``I still have great hopes Michael Sharp will be able to shake off his knee problems and play like he did when he was a freshman.'' by CNB