THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210543
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
American University forward Tim Fudd returns to action tonight after an unprecedented five-game league suspension for a flagrant, unprovoked forearm that prematurely ended the season for East Carolina's Morris Grooms.
With his chances at Colonial Athletic Association player of the year considerably damaged, the focus now becomes whether this will be a kinder, gentler Fudd when he takes the court tonight at Richmond's Robins Center.
American coach Chris Knoche has strong suspicions Fudd will be the center of referees' attentions.
``How can it not affect it?'' Knoche said. ``We've got three officials refereeing each game and most are able to read from what I've been able to discern.''
Knoche said noted referee Dick Papparo officiated American's game against Iona last week and one of the first things Papparo asked upon arrival was whether Fudd was going to be playing.
He didn't. And the Eagles lost. In fact, they've lost four of five with Fudd on the sidelines.
With Fudd returning - American hosts Old Dominion University on Saturday - the Eagles regain his 16.9 points per game and 6.0 rebounds.
``It certainly fortifies us in a lot of ways,'' Knoche said. ``He should be very fresh. Those five games put this all in perspective for him. I'll be surprised if you don't see a pretty hungry player at Richmond.''
Richmond coach Bill Dooley jokingly said that he ``thought it should have been six games instead of five.''
``This is a very good player who really hurt us badly (26 points) the first time around.''
Fudd also hurt Grooms, who sustained a collapsed lung. East Carolina coach Joe Dooley said Tuesday Grooms was most likely done for the season.
ODU AT FIELD HOUSE: Monarchs coach Jeff Capel sees no advantage in playing at ODU field house tonight when ODU hosts William and Mary.
In fact, he sees it as a disadvantage. The Monarchs don't normally practice in the field house, instead using a separate practice facility.
``I prefer playing at Scope,'' Capel said. ``I feel that it's our home and I'm kind of superstitious about that kind of thing. There's more open space behind the baskets at the field house and we didn't shoot very well in practice there (Monday). But as long as the baskets are still 10 feet high
Capel said that when the Monarchs played the Tribe at the field house last season - Scope is unavailable while the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus is in town - ``people were talking about what a great atmosphere it would be. But after the game I didn't see where there was any great advantage, other than it was a little louder.''
Whether at Scope or the field house, William and Mary hasn't won in Norfolk since 1983. But in the last two years the Tribe has ended similar streaks.
Last season, its first under coach Charlie Woollum, the Tribe beat American at Bender Arena for the first time, then beat Richmond at Robins Center for the first time since 1983. This season, William and Mary posted its first victory over James Madison at the Convocation Center since 1985.
TOURNAMENT TALK: Virginia Commonwealth coach Sonny Smith said that the Rams' 76-75 loss to James Madison Saturday did severe damage to their chances for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and placed greater emphasis on VCU's run in the CAA tournament.
Asked if the CAA could get two teams in the NCAAs, Smith said, ``This year's a real question mark. If you have a good year out of league it increases your chances. We did a good job, but unfortunately we didn't do as well as we could have. I can't say we overwhelmed anybody.''
Fortunately for the Rams, who can win their 20th game of the season tonight when they host UNC-Wilmington, the CAA will be played on their home court at Richmond Coliseum, where they are 11-1 this season.
TIP-INS: The consensus among CAA coaches is that VCU's Bernard Hopkins should be a shoe-in for player of the year honors. Speaking for the majority, Bill Dooley said, ``He's averaging a double-double for the league's leading team.'' Hopkins is averaging 16.4 points (fifth in the CAA) and 10.7 rebounds (first). ... Capel did some stumping for ODU forward Mark Poag as rookie of the year. ``From a statistical standpoint he's offered continuity on a contending team.'' ... More than one coach offered up VCU senior forward Ivan Chappell, formerly of Chesapeake's Western Branch High, as a strong nominee for the CAA All-Defensive Team. ``When we recruited Ivan, we saw him as a double-digit points guy,'' Smith said. ``We didn't know he'd be the defender he's been. But he has too much strength and quickness at the wing not to be.'' by CNB