Morgan State's ambitious and top-seeded Bears will cast the tallest shadow when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament opens today in Raleigh, N.C. But don't be surprised if an old favorite delivers an encore performance before it's over.
Fang Mitchell's midseason decision to start five seniors rescued Coppin State from a season of embarrassment and triggered its longest winning streak in 10 seasons.
When the seventh-seeded Eagles face 10th-seed Howard at 6:30 p.m. today at the RBC Center, they will try to re-create some of their old-time magic.
Mitchell and Coppin ruled the MEAC in the 1990s, earning three NCAA tournament berths and two in the National Invitation Tournament during a scorching eight-year domination. From 1990 through 1999, the Eagles went 16-7 in the conference tournament.
In the past eight years, however, they've gone 5-8 and reached the championship game only once. They haven't been to the postseason since 1996-97.
This season seemed destined to follow that path. A home loss to Delaware State on Feb. 2 left the Eagles with a 4-19 record and approaching the worst of Mitchell's 22 seasons at Coppin (6-25 in 2001-02).
In the midst of the losses and in an attempt to improve team chemistry, Mitchell turned the lineup over to his five seniors. Rejuvenated or pacified, the Eagles (12-20, 7-9 MEAC) won eight straight games before a four-point loss at Morgan State last week.
"Coaching is always a battle in trying to get team unity where everybody is on the same page," Mitchell said. "Then you find out there's cliques. Basically, since I understood that, I went with the most influential group, and it turned out to be pretty good for us. It reduced a lot of the tension we had."
Seniors Tywain McKee and Antwan Harrison filled a leadership breach and carried the scoring load. The other seniors contributed, too. Julian Conyers' shots started to fall, Mike Miller played defensive stopper and Robert Pressey pounded the boards.
Mitchell also delivered a message to his class of four freshmen: "The statement was made the seniors will start, and if you want to get on the floor, you have to earn your way," he said.
Since then, the team has played with more energy and unity.
"We're playing better defense, making the extra pass," Mitchell said. "Early in the year, we just didn't do that. We were more self-centered. You can't play that way and win."
