Late skid humbles NSU
Spartans try to use it as inspiration in quest for 3rd straight tourney title
NORFOLK — On Feb. 20, Norfolk State was riding the kind of wave to which a two-time defending conference champion should feel entitled.
The Spartans had won six straight MEAC games and were on the verge of their 20th victory. Furthermore, they were set to honor six seniors before facing Coppin State in their final home game at Echols Hall.
Since then, NSU has lost three out of four, including an 87-67 loss at Howard on March 2 in a game that would have given the Spartans at least a share of their third straight regular-season title had they won it.
As third-seeded NSU (20-10) enters tonight’s MEAC Tournament opener against that same Coppin State team at Scope, the Spartans hope their recent downward trend will actually help.
“I think it should,” NSU coach Robert Jones said. “Will it help? We’ll see, but I think it should. I think it should help that the guys have been humbled a little bit.”
The Spartans were looking to become the first MEAC team to win three straight regular-season and tournament titles in the same season since the mid-1980s. Instead, they’ll have to climb uphill and win three games in three days to earn a third straight NCAA Tournament bid.
Looking back on the past two weeks and change, NSU’s players have been reminded that no championship is a foregone conclusion.
In addition to the Coppin State game, a 69-62 loss, and the Howard setback in the regular-season finale, the mini-backslide included a win at South Carolina State and a 76-75 loss at North Carolina Central in which the Spartans erased a 29-point second-half deficit to force over
time.
But the sting of defeat remains. “It can really show us we can be embarrassed, and that’s not a good feeling that we want to have,” said senior forward Kris Bankston, who is second in the MEAC in both rebounding and blocks. “We don’t want to be embarrassed at the tournament, so we’ve got to lock in and tighten up.”
Sixth-seeded Coppin State (9-22) ended the regular season by winning three out of four. The Eagles had lost nine straight before ruining NSU’s senior night.
The Spartans are well aware that the MEAC Tournament bracket could shape up to pit them against not only Coppin State, but second-seeded N.C. Central and top-seeded Howard on the road to a title.
Senior forward Dana Tate hopes it turns out that way.
“Without a doubt,” Tate said. “Knock ‘em down every step of the way in the tournament to win that championship.
“We’re still the reigning champs. You’ve got to take us down to get the throne. That’s how we’re coming in.”
Jones has worked this week to find a balance between the messages to his team, pointing out the lessons to be learned in humility.
“But at the same time, you are the defending tournament champ,” Jones said. “And until somebody takes that, you still are the champion when you go into that Scope. So you have to play like a champion.”