Fierce battles raging in CIAA, MEAC
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
Only the 11-4 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in the Southwestern Athletic Conference appear to be separating themselves from the pack.
Lafayette Stribling's Devils, first in the latest BCSP rankings, are the only SWAC team with a winning record overall and are undefeated through five conference games.
MVSU features SWAC preseason Player of the Year,
Attarius Norwood (15.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg.) and a solid
starting contingent that includes Edward Mack
(14.4 ppg), Solomon Forbes (11.4 ppg.), center
Willie Neal (9.2 rpg.) and point guard Hosea Butler
(4.0 apg.).
Saturday, MVSU knocked off Southern who was tied for second place. The Devils take their swing through Texas this week facing Texas Southern Saturday and Prairie View Monday.
In the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference, preseason favorite Florida A&M handed early season leader Delaware State its first loss in conference play Saturday in Tallahassee. The Hornets, however, remain atop the conference with a 5-1 mark, 6-8 overall. Mike Gillespie's FAMU Rattlers (5-10, 4-2) are one of five teams with two losses in the always tough MEAC, which includes perennial powers Hampton (6-11, 4-2) and South Carolina State (7-8, 4-2).
Butch Beard's Bears of Morgan State (6-8, 5-2) have been the surprise team so far. The former Howard coach has the Bears playing hard-nosed basketball which has resulted in four home wins including a rout of FAMU and tough road losses at Coppin State and Delaware State.
The CIAA picture is just as clouded with as many as ten teams looking like contenders. Defending champion Bowie State (14-2, 3-0 E) had a big date hosting E. Div. rival Virginia Union (10-2, 2-0 E) Tuesday. The VUU Panthers lost a 70-57 decision at NAIA EIAC champ Barber-Scotia last week that will likely knock Dave Robbins' 10-2 squad out of the Div. II national rankings.
Only 1-13 Livingstone in the West Div. and 0-13 St. Paul's in the East, appear incapable of challenging for the title.
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.