THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010414
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Although Norfolk State is 14-2, with its only losses to a nationally ranked Division I squad and Division II's top-ranked team, something is awry.
Blitz Wooten, the Spartans' 6-foot-7 senior center, has found his minutes limited by continuing foul troubles.
On six separate occasions, Wooten has picked up his second foul in the game's first 12 minutes. The subsequent bench time has limited him to playing an average of just 27 minutes per game. Nonetheless, he is still averaging 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds . . . and a team-high 3.5 fouls. He's fouled out twice in 13 games.
While Norfolk State's propensity to play man-to-man defense has exposed Wooten to a number of one-on-one circumstances, he's more often called for fouls away from the ball.
``Obviously, some of the calls I would render questionable, but I have a bias,'' said NSU coach Mike Bernard, whose team's only losses are to No. 22 Auburn and top-ranked Division II Virginia Union. ``Blitz is exposing himself to putting his hands on people, and it's usually the second contact when he's jockeying for position when he gets called for the foul. His contact is more obvious the second time.
``He's been working diligently to stay out of foul trouble, but I think he's pressing too much. When you find yourself trying so hard not to do something, you sometimes find yourself doing it again. He just has to settle down.''
LITTLE BIG MAN: With the collection of 6-6 and 6-7 jumping jacks at Virginia Union, it was 5-8 guard Jay Butler who pulled the Panthers out of the fire Monday night against Elizabeth City State.
Butler scored on a key three-point play with just over three minutes left in regulation, then canned two foul shots in the closing minute as the Panthers edged the Vikings in overtime 55-52.
``He's a small guy, and he's not much of a scorer,'' said Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins. ``But he's leading the CIAA in assists (6.4) and he's got a big heart.
``From Day One here, I've always had a little fellow on the team. They seem to bring big hearts, a lot of hustle and some meaningful intangibles. I've always liked the little guy who gets on the floor.''
As for the close call, Robbins said, ``We dodged a bullet. Elizabeth City is going to be a factor in the CIAA tournament, and I hope we're not in their bracket.''
RECORD BOOK CHASE: Derrick Bryant's 34 points Monday gave him 1,509 for his career. He now stands 12th all-time on Norfolk State's scoring list and needs 122 more points to surpass Barry Mitchell (1983-87) and move into 10th.
Bryant already has moved into the school's top-10 list of career rebounders, ranking ninth with 912. He's 16 rebounds behind No. 8 Barry Mitchell.
QUICK HITS: What makes a winning streak happen? At Norfolk State, it's defense. The Spartans have held their last four opponents to under 40-percent accuracy from the field.
The Spartans held Bowie State to 32 percent accuracy, and Shaw shot 32.8, Virginia State 31 percent and Knoxville 37.9 percent. . . .
Former Deep Creek guard Mike Harrington is among CIAA leaders in assists, averaging 3.7 a game at St. Augustine's. . . . Virginia State leading scorer Reggie Frisby and teammate Owen Webb were benched for disciplinary reasons Monday. The result: Virginia State won its first CIAA game of the season, beating St. Augustine's 84-76 behind Douglas Hines' 29 points and 10 rebounds.
Tickets for Monday's Virginia Union-Norfolk State game at Echols Arena can be obtained in advance at the NSU ticket center across from Echols from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Friday and Monday. Tickets can also be obtained through Ticketmaster. . . .
James Roe, Norfolk State's All-American wide receiver, will be honored at halftime Monday for receiving the Eddie Robinson Trophy, given to the top player from a historically black college or university. by CNB