THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411160568
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
It's a transition year in the CIAA. For the past three seasons, the Virginia Union Panthers - led by a core group of four players - have been the team to beat in the conference, and one of the top teams in the nation.
Those four players are gone - Warren Peebles and Derrick Johnson to the CBA and Reggie Jones and Troy Phillips to Europe - and Norfolk State is poised to step in as the conference's dominant team.
The Spartans knocked off Union in last year's South Atlantic Regional final and have stockpiled the type of talent and depth normally seen only in Richmond, on Union's campus.
``They're like we've been the past few years,'' Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins said. ``I don't see hardly anybody touching them.''
The Spartans have been ranked as high as second in preseason polls. Union has received mention in some polls also, but Robbins dismisses that.
``Their (Norfolk State's) ranking is legit,'' Robbins said. ``Ours is just respect for our program. That's nice to have, but it doesn't win games.''
Union has 11 new players, but by season's end the Panthers could be the one team with the talent to challenge Norfolk State.
In the Southern Division, North Carolina Central has won three titles in a row but will be challenged by Johnson C. Smith and possibly Fayetteville State.
``Different teams come along, but the league year in and year out is strong,'' Robbins said. ``It's probably the best Division II conference in the country.''
A capsule look at the CIAA:
[For complete text, please see microfilm.] ILLUSTRATION: Photo
GARY KNAPP
Norfolk State's Charles Newborn, the CIAA's leading rebounder of
last season, will be on the boards again for the Spartans.
by CNB