DATE: Sunday, November 23, 1997             TAG: 9711230174

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C10  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   68 lines

BASSETTE MILKS INJURY FOR ALL IT'S WORTH

Reggie Bassette's surprising return to the Old Dominion lineup Saturday night won't be enough to get him elected to the all-conference team, but it might land him a spot on the National Dairy Farmers All-American squad.

It was during an exhibition game Nov. 8 that the 6-foot-9 center fractured a bone in his right wrist. The prognosis called for six to eight weeks of inactivity. But when Bassette came off the bench with 13:27 remaining in the first half of Old Dominion's game against Hampton University, only 14 days had passed since the injury.

What accounts for Bassette's rabid return? Ultrasound therapy? Massage therapy? Whirlpool treatments? Acupuncture?

``Milk,'' said Bassette. ``I drink a half gallon to a gallon a day.''

Milk?

``Yeah,'' said Bassette. ``You know, it builds up bones and calcium.''

If it sounds like he's reading from a magazine ad put out by the dairy lobby, no matter. He's got a believer in Jeff Capel. Said the ODU coach: ``He'd be a great advertisement for milk.''

Milk does a body good. But Scott Johnson deserves some of the credit, too. The basketball trainer fitted Bassette with a soft cast wrapped in a pad.

After Bassette kept bugging him about playing, Johnson slipped on the cast, and sent him out for practice last week. To everyone's surprise, the wrist held up during a scrimmage. A half hour before Saturday's tip-off, ODU's orthopedic surgeon gave Bassette the green light.

``I don't have full motion on my shot,'' said Bassette, ``but (the cast) gets the job done.''

So did Bassette in only 15 minutes of action. His impact was felt immediately. No sooner had he entered the game then the junior from Richmond skied for an offensive rebound and threw down a dunk.

Moments later, he ran the length of the floor to tip in another missed shot and ODU was on its way to a 72-60 victory.

Bassette would finish with six points and seven rebounds, playing only five minutes in the second half.

``He got tired real quick,'' said Capel. Still, the coach milked Bassette's return for all it was worth.

``He's a presence, even the way he is now,'' he said. ``The wrist doesn't keep him from running and jumping.

ODU's performance was highlighted with a lot of running and jumping. Against undermanned Hampton, the Monarchs looked very athletic.

Cal Bowdler tied his personal best with seven blocks, while point guard Brion Dunlap also tied a career high with 12 assists.

At the same time, Dunlap experienced a new low, literally and figuratively, in fashion. Were the 5-foot-11 senior an NBA player, he'd go broke paying fines to the fashion police for a pair of shorts that fell at least three inches below his knees.

On Dunlap, you can't even call them shorts; they're more like longs.

``They're longer this year (than last),'' Dunlap conceded with a smile. ``This is the way I had it in high school.''

When he wears the shorts with those socks pulled up very high, Dunlap shows about as much leg as an Amish widow.

Most of the attention this night, though, was focused on Bassette's suddenly serviceable wrist. For the time being, Reggie will remain a spot player, but his growing presence can't help but change ODU's fortunes.

Bassette is back, earlier than anyone thought possible. Now when he runs into ODU fans, Reggie should expect to hear them ask, ``Where's your mustache?'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

L. TODD SPENCER

Reggie Bassette, right, credited increased milk intake with his

early return to the ODU lineup Saturday night.

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