Thinly spread Spartans to open league play

NORFOLK

The Norfolk State Spartans are about a month away from anything resembling their finished product for this season. Alas, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule won't wait that long.

The Spartans open MEAC play at 6 p.m. tonight, hosting North Carolina A&T.

Point guard Aleek Pauline is out with a broken bone in his hand, shooting guard Michael Deloach still is slowed by turf toe and transferring post players Christian Morris and Marcos Tamares are a week away from finishing exams and becoming eligible.

Anthony Evans, in his third year as head coach, labeled this stretch not only a learning experience for his team but for himself and his staff.

"It's just an odd set of circumstances that hasn't happened to us as a staff before," Evans said. "It's a real learning experience."

With Pauline expected out until after Christmas, point guard duties are being shared by reserve Antoine Perry, freshman Isaac Nixon and Deloach, a natural shooting guard who is second in the MEAC in scoring at 19.9 points per game. Evans would rather not play Deloach at the point, however.

"Defenses already key in on him," Evans said. "It's that much easier to key in on him when he has the ball at the top of the key."

Nixon, meanwhile, still is recovering somewhat after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee over the summer. And in 45 minutes of floor time, Perry has yet to score.

Norfolk State's only win in seven games came at home against Maine last month. Tonight's match-up is the Spartans only home game of December.

The Aggies come in with a 3-5 record, fresh off a 74-73 loss at Lamar a week ago.

Senior Dwane Joshua is averaging a team-best 15.4 points per game, and the Aggies have five players averaging 9.6 points or better.

Rich Radford, (757) 446-2463 rich.radford@pilotonline.com