The journey is halfway completed as the MEAC men’s and women’s basketball teams began the regular season’s second round of games this weekend.
At the top of both men’s and women’s standings are Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, and Howard in the first three spots, a logjam in the middle, then the bottom half.
But according to Maryland Eastern Shore MBB Coach Jason Crafton, who told reporters including the MSR on Wednesday that the current standings aren’t truly indicative of what’s happening thus far this season.
“One through eight is going to be a challenge,” said Crafton of his 7th place Hawks (2-5, 7-14) going into this weekend’s games at Morgan State on Saturday and hosting Coppin State (1-6, 2-19) on Monday.
“We are trying to make a strong push and have a strong finish” going into the March post-season tournament at Norfolk, Va. March 13-16, added Crafton.
North Carolina Central, Howard and Coppin State women all have identical 5-2 records, tied for second. On the men’s side, Howard, South Carolina State, and Morgan State are tied for third with 4-3 records.
Robert Jones, the Norfolk State men’s coach said that although his Spartans (5-2, 15- 9) are tied for first with North Carolina Central (5-2, 13-9), an earlier 69-60 loss to Maryland Eastern Shore (Feb. 5th) “was a wake-up call” for his team to best understand not to take every game or opponent for granted.
The NSU Spartans women (6 -1, 17-5) appear poised to make a serious regular season and tournament run. But Coach Larry Vickers quickly warned, “Howard humbled us” as he recalled the 73-60 loss on January 20 to the Bison, the only blemish on Norfolk State’s league record thus far.
“I believe we prepare our kids all year long to play in the MEAC Tournament,” noted Maryland Eastern Shore Associate HC Carey Monroe-Gaskins.
The MEAC second round of games also offered teams to shore up deficiency and get healthy along with other things needed every night.
“We aren’t listening to those noises,” said NCC WBB Coach Terrence Baxter on his players blocking out unnecessary distractions. “We’re [only] listening to the guys in our circle.”
Baxter’s MBB counterpart, Coach LaVelle Moton added, “We have to learn a killer instinct about ourselves. Who can break the will of the other team first” will be successful, he stressed. “You got to be tough-nosed, really gritty, rebound, and got to defend at the highest level possible.”
South Carolina State MBB Coach Erik Martin, whose Bulldogs are 4-3 (9-15 overall) surmised, “There are no easy games regardless of the records. Either we will play and continue to the preseason or we’re done.”
MEAC MBB/WBB Saturday, Feb. 17 games
Delaware State (3-4) at Coppin State (1-6)/Delaware St. (2-5) at Coppin State (5-2)
South Carolina State (4-3) at Norfolk State (5-2)/S.C. State (0-7) at Norfolk St. (6-1)
North Carolina Central (5-2) at Howard (4-3)/N.C.C. (5-2) at Howard (5-2)
Maryland Eastern Shore (2-5) at Morgan State (4-3)/UMES (3-4) at Morgan St. (2-5)
MEAC MBB/WBB Monday, Feb. 19 games
Morgan St. at Delaware St./Morgan St. at Delaware St.
S.C. State at Howard/S.C. State at Howard
Coppin State at MD Eastern Shore/Coppin St. at UMES
North Carolina Central at Norfolk St./N.C.C. at Norfolk St.