THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 10, 1994 TAG: 9412100375
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DURHAM, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Erik Meek, dressed in a dark suit and tie, was on the Duke bench, busily charting Blue Devil rebounds on a yellow pad when he became convinced he was about to make a big mistake.
This was Nov. 12, the night Duke played the Polish National team in a preseason exhibition game.
Meek, a 6-foot-10 senior, had decided last March to accept coach Mike Krzyzewski's suggestion that he sit out this season to strengthen his body and further develop his skills before playing his final season of eligibility.
At the time, it seemed the right thing to do.
After a long struggle to overcome injuries from a terrible accident before he entered Duke, Meek seemed close to reaching the potential expected of him when he was the most highly recruited player in Southern California since Bill Walton.
``I made so much improvement last year that Coach K and I both felt taking an extra year to work on my skills would be best for my future and the team,'' Meek said.
But as Duke was putting the final touches on preseason preparations, Meek felt so good about his game in practice that he began having second thoughts.
Finally, during that first preseason exhibition game, Meek realized he should be on the court instead of on the bench keeping rebound stats.
His teammates were coming to the same conclusion, too, since there definitely was a need for another big man.
``I found myself playing (Meek's) position in the Polish game against this big, 6-foot-11 guy,'' recalled Kenny Blakeney, a 6-foot-4 guard.
``I told myself, `Hell, we got to get Erik back.' ''
It didn't take much talking from his teammates to convince Meek, and Krzyzewski was in agreement.
Now, off to an impressive 4-1 start going into tonight's game against Michigan, the seventh-ranked Blue Devils shudder to think what life without Meek might be like.
His strong presence inside has allowed 6-foot-10 center Cherokee Parks the freedom to roam the perimeter for outside shots, the way his predecessor Christian Laettner once did.
``Erik knocks people around and gets on the boards,'' Parks said. ``Having him in there gives us the inside muscle we need.''
Meek had his best performance in Tuesday's 103-73 victory over George Washington, in which he had 12 points and eight rebounds.
``I really feel good,'' Meek said. ``If I had known I would feel this good, I probably never would have thought about sitting out the season.''
Meek suffered physically and mentally his first two years at Duke after he was struck by a drunk driver while he was jogging.
His left shoulder blade was fractured and he suffered severe leg muscle injuries.
Meek recovered sufficiently to play in 25 games his freshman season, when Duke won it second straight national championship, but he did not have his full strength.
``I couldn't do the things I was used to do, and my confidence started slipping,'' Meek said. ``But I never allowed myself to give up.''
It was not until last season that full strength returned in his legs and he began feeling confident about his game again.
``Up until then, it was like I was always one step behind,'' he said.
Meek played in all 34 games last season but his minutes were limited because of a rotation designed to keep Grant Hill in the game.
``When you have someone like Grant, you got to play him,'' Meek said.
``But it was tough for me. Coach K knew I was trying my best, and I think that is why he approached me with the redshirt idea.''
Meek couldn't be happier, though, that he did not follow through with the redshirt plans.
He provides Duke the inside strength needed to support this year's strong perimeter game geared to the arrival of talented freshmen Ricky Price, Steve Wojciechowski and Trajan Langdon.
``Cherokee and I both enjoy playing with these freshmen, along with the guards we have back,'' Meek said. ``It is a great group, and all are unselfish.''
Meek said he is still trying to get a feel for how far this team can go, but normally the Blue Devils think the Final Four is part of their schedule.
``Right now, we are just trying to get better,'' he said. ``But if we do what Coach K says, we are going to be a good team.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Erik Meek had decided to sit out this season - until he realized the
role he could play.
by CNB