DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711090266

SECTION: SPECIAL                 PAGE: Z3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 1997-98 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   77 lines

MEAC, COPPIN STATE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR A LITTLE RESPECT

The most remarkable thing about Coppin State's dazzling NCAA tournament performance last year was how close it came to never happening at all.

Despite rolling up a 15-3 MEAC regular-season record, the Eagles needed overtime to eliminate Maryland-Eastern Shore in the MEAC tournament first round, then were taken to overtime before ousting North Carolina A&T in the final at Norfolk State's Echols Hall.

Only then did the Eagles secure the automatic NCAA berth that allowed them to shock sixth-ranked South Carolina State to give the conference its first-ever victory in the Division I tournament, then come within a point of ousting Texas to reach the Sweet 16.

Competitiveness has been the hallmark of the MEAC tournament, and no team knows this better than Coppin. The Eagles have won five straight regular-season titles but have just two NCAA tournament appearances to show for them.

Expect another free-for-all when the tournament commences March 4-7, this time at the Richmond Coliseum. And because of this, also expect conference members to continue to turn a deaf ear to Norfolk State's pleas to award the regular-season champion the NCAA bid and let Hampton and the Spartans join the tournament fun.

Both teams are sitting out NCAA-mandated waiting periods on acquiring automatic tournament berths, and the MEAC won't allow either school to play in its tournament for fear one of them might win it and cost the conference an NCAA tournament berth.

A brief rundown of the conference schools, in predicted order of finish:

Coppin State: The Eagles return four starters, including guard Antoine Brockington (17 ppg), the preseason player of the year. Coppin State has gone 76-6 in MEAC regular-season games the last five years.

South Carolina State: Those aren't boos you hear at Smith-Hammond Memorial Center. They're moos, in honor of star guard Roderick ``Moo-Moo'' Blakney. Blakney (23.4 ppg), the country's ninth-leading scorer and the Bulldogs' leader in points, assists, steals and free-throw percentage. Problem was, the 5-10 Blakney was also second on the club in defensive rebounds. Coach Cy Alexander will need others to contribute so Moo-Moo won't have so much to do-do.

North Carolina A&T: They've lost four starters from a year ago, but the Aggies will still be a team worth watching because they're one of four college teams that will be decked out in Michael Jordan's new ``Jump Man'' clothing line. ``We may not play worth a crap, but we'll be looking good,'' Aggies coach Roy Thomas said.

Florida A&M: The Rattlers will look to ride the considerable frame of 7-1 senior center Jerome James, who ranked fourth in the nation in blocked shots (4.4) for the second straight year. James also chipped in 16.2 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Howard: A youthful squad led by 6-6 MEAC rookie of the year Xavier Singletary (15.6 ppg) and fellow sophomores Jermaine Holliway (6-6 forward, 8 ppg) and 6-9 forward Garrett McCormick.

Maryland-Eastern Shore: Eight starters return for the Hawks, who will be led by national steals leader Joel Hoover (3.2 per game). Hoover also scored 11 ppg and was named to the MEAC All-Rookie team. Cryhten Langhorne and Marcus Cheek each averaged 15 ppg.

Morgan State: Returners Tremaine Byrd, a 6-3 guard, and forward O'Tes Alston each averaged in double figures a year ago. UNC-Charlotte transfer Jimmy Fields should bolster an already solid backcourt.

Hampton: New coach Steve Merfeld will count heavily on all-rookie pick Doug Belton (9.6 ppg) and fellow sophomore Damany Smith (4.0 ast), a second-team all-rookie selection. Four starters return from a team that finished seventh a year ago.

Delaware State: The Hornets will be looking for stability, as Jimmy DuBose will become the team's third head coach in four years. Double-figure scorers Brian Parker and Terence Hood and Suffolk native Albert White are the returning starters.

Bethune-Cookman: The Wildcats lose four starters and are faced with what appears to be a rebuilding year. But at least new coach Horace Broadnax has a sense of humor. ``You know why Dean Smith retired?'' the former Georgetown star said. ``Because he looked at his schedule and saw he had to play Bethune-Cookman - in Daytona Beach!'' The Tar Heels visit Dec. 29. KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION SUPPLEMENT BASKETBALL

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