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LOCATION: Hampton, VA
CONFERENCE: Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC)
LAST SEASON: 8-19 (.296)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-10 (6th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 3/2
NICKNAME: Pirates
COLORS: Royal Blue & White
HOMECOURT: Hampton Convention Center (7,500)
COACH: Steve Merfield (Wisconsin-LaCrosse '84)
record at school 22-31 (2 years)
career record 22-31 (2 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Bobby Collins (Eastern Kentucky '89)
Ed Huckaby (Toledo)
James Wilhelmi (UW-Whitewater '95)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 19-9-8-14-8
RPI (last 5 years) NA-234-291-210-283
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference quarterfinal.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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The ball bounced the wrong way for Hampton last season. Last year at this time, there was a lot of excitement in the program. The NCAA announced in the summer that Hampton had met its requirements for Division I and would be eligible for postseason play immediately. Steve Merfield's club had a solid year in the 1997-98 season, finishing with a 14-12 record. Most of those players were back. Many MEAC coaches were picking the Pirates as a contender for the league championship. But Merfield was cautious. He knew he had the makings of a good team but knew the Pirates had to prove that on the floor. In the past, Hampton had snuck up on teams. There would be none of that now. As it turned out, Merfield had a right to be cautious. What followed was a disappointing 8-19 season and 8-10 record in the MEAC. A brutal non-conference schedule which included the likes of Michigan, North Carolina, Old Dominion and Virginia didn't help. But basically the breaks or the right bounce that had gone Hampton's way the previous year just didn't go that way last season. "Last year was disappointing," said Merfield. "We took a step back backwards last season but we're anxious to get back on the right track this year. And we think we can. "We learned a lot last season and hopefully that will help us this season. . . . We didn't play badly last year. We just simply didn't get the breaks or win the close games that we had won in the past. This time a last-second shot missed instead of going in, or the other team would make the last-second shot and beat us. We just didn't have the bounces last season. That happens sometimes."
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B BENCH/DEPTH C+
FRONTCOURT B+ INTANGIBLES C+
Hampton coach Steve Merfield is rightly concerned about whether this team can come together this year, considering all the newcomers. But if they do, this could be a very good team. Sometimes when schools get transfers from bigger schools, it's misleading because those players probably shouldn't have been at that level to begin with. Not so with the transfers Hampton has added. Look for Hampton to be very tough to beat come February. Look for some inconsistency early as everyone gets used to playing with each other. But come February, the Pirates will make a run for the MEAC championship. We look for a third-place finish and a possible appearance in the conference tournament championship game against South Carolina State. |
Things could be very different this season. Merfield and his staff had an outstanding recruiting year. The haul includes three transfers from bigger programs: 6-10 center Mohamed Woni (Clemson), 6-6 swingman LaSean Howard (Syracuse) and former Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year Marseilles Brown, a 5-10 point guard, from Richmond. All won't be eligible until after the first semester and the Pirates have played four games, but Merfield is looking forward to having those guys on the floor. In addition, the Pirates will have four other players making their Hampton debuts this season. All could help. Hampton's recruiting success has got other MEAC coaches talking again. Some are even talking about the Pirates being the favorite. Again, Merfield's not quite ready to make postseason plans. "We feel like we have had a good recruiting year, and with the transfers we've brought it, we could be a lot better this year," said Merfield. "But everyone's recruiting year is good in September. We still have to wait and do it on the floor. "We have a lot to work on for the upcoming year. One big concern is with so many new guys, how will that translate into team chemistry. We have to get everyone meshing together, and that won't be easy with so many new players. But we're excited about the players we've brought in. And we're also excited about the players who were with us last year." Heading the list of returnees is 6-8 junior forward/center Tarvis Williams (13.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 135 blocked shots). His 5.0 blocked shots per game average led the nation last season and earned him all-conference honors. He was the Pirates' second-leading scorer and shot 52 percent from the field. And Merfield said he should be even better this season. "Tarvis has a bright future in front of him," the coach said. "He's really worked hard and really matured as a player. I'm not sure if he'll lead the nation in blocked shots again but overall he should be even better than he was last year." Also back is 6-3 sophomore guard Tommy Adams (10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 79 assists). Adams is a natural two-guard who had to play some at the point last year and did a good job. "Tommy had an outstanding year for us because we forced him to play point guard and he had never done that," Merfield said. "He did a good job there but hopefully we'll have him more at the two-guard this season. Tommy's an outstanding scorer who knows how to put the ball in the basket." Also back is 6-6 senior swingman Doug Belton (11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Belton started for most of last season at either the shooting-guard or small-forward spots. "Doug is such a versatile player for us who is a very consistent scorer," said Merfield. "He gives us a lot at each position and is a player who will do anything to help us." With just three returning players, newcomers are going to have to make an impact. They should. Williams is already good, but he should be even better when Woni, a junior, lines up next to him at Marquette on Dec. 20. At Clemson, Woni was a key player for the Tigers, having been chosen Clemson's Most Improved Player two straight years. His career-high 12 points came against Minnesota in a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game in San Antonio. "Mohamed Woni is a wonderful kid who is a nice player for us," Merfield said. "We think he'll be able to help our inside game." Howard, a junior, is a versatile player who has taken a curious route to Hampton. He was at Syracuse for two years before transferring to Long Beach State. Howard only stayed a semester before coming east again. He won't be eligible for the first four games but should be a force when the Pirates play at Marquette. "LaSean is a leader and a winner and we're delighted to have him," said Merfield. "He can play both guard spots and both forward spots and we plan to use him at those spots this year. LaSean knows what it takes to win and we're excited to have him with us." The Pirates were a little soft at the point guard spot last year, but that won't be the case this season when 5-10 junior Brown becomes eligible on Dec. 20. Brown was the CAAARookie of the Year during the 1996-97 season and helped lead the Spiders to the NCAA Tournament the next year. Hampton is Brown's hometown. "Marseilles is a talented point guard who is a great competitor and should be able to help us this year," said Merfield. "He's an exciting player who can also play the two-guard position if we have to." Newcomers who are eligible right away start with 6-6 junior swingman Arthimas Howard, who comes to Hampton from Bevill State (Ala.) Community College. "Arthimas shoots the ball very well and can help us at the two-guard or small-forward spot," said Merfield. "He's very athletic and he's player who we think can help us right away." Six-foot-5 freshman guard Issac Jefferson is another player who has versatility. Jefferson is from West Columbus (Ohio) High School. "Issac was an early signee for us who turned into an outstanding player," said Merfield. "He does everything well and has great court vision. Issac can play both guard spots and the small forward. We look for him to play either the two or the three this year. I think he can help this year, as well." Cleveland Davis, a 6-8 sophomore forward, sat out last year after signing with the Pirates two years ago. Davis enjoyed an outstanding prep career at Pine Forest High in Fayetteville, N.C. "Cleveland stands 6-8 and weighs 225 pounds and is a man with the body he has," said Merfield. "He has a nice jumper and shoots the ball well, He could make an impact on our inside game this year." Another sophomore who sat out last year was 6-2 guard Mackel Pervis, who came to Hampton from White Oak High School in Jacksonville, N.C. Pervis is a point guard who will compete for playing time. "Mackel is a prototype point guard who knows how to play the point," said Merfield. "He could play a lot this year depending on how he develops. Mackel is an outstanding athlete who comes from an athletic family." Merfield is hopeful that 6-8 freshman forward Maurice Pitts will be eligible. He's a partial qualifier who was awaiting word from the NCAA clearinghouse as of September. Pitts comes from Chicago and if eligible could be a factor for Hampton. "Maurice has an unbelievable left-handed touch," said Merfield. "He's got a lot of polish to him and could help us immediately if the NCAA clears him to play."
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