THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 TAG: 9610160574
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 83 lines
Odell Hodge has played in 95 games at Old Dominion and started at center in every one.
That streak could end Nov. 22 when ODU opens its 1996-97 season at Towson State. Hodge's final season at ODU could be his first at a new position - power forward.
``I've been looking forward to that,'' Hodge said. ``I think that's my natural position for the next level, if there is a next level. I think that will get me ready.''
The Monarchs have begun getting ready in earnest for the new season. ODU celebrated the opening of basketball practice with a ceremonial midnight madness Monday night/Tuesday morning before about 3,000 fans at the ODU field house, but the real work began Tuesday night.
For Hodge, it was the first practice in what he hopes is the position of his future.
``He's not tall enough to play center in the NBA,'' ODU coach Jeff Capel said.
For Hodge, the changes will be minimal. He said the switch will allow him to step out and shoot the 15-foot jumper occasionally, but essentially he will be doing the same things he's always done at center.
``Four (power forward) and five (center) do basically the same thing in our system, it's just a number for teaching purposes,'' Capel said. ``In everything we do, we're basically a three out, two in team offensively. The four and five men do the same things, depending on which way the ball goes.''
BUNN REVISITED: Capel called the dismissal of forward Joe Bunn last month ``one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Life's about choices, and he made a wrong choice and it's what had to be done.''
Bunn will be in Norfolk General District court Thursday facing an assault and battery charge brought by Holly Rivers, Bunn's ex-girlfriend and a member of the ODU tennis team. On Sept. 23, Bunn and Rivers were involved in an argument that turned physical, and according to a police report Bunn ``struck (Rivers) several times in the head, body and facial area with a closed fist.''
Bunn was immediately dismissed from the team. Capel said he is trying to help Bunn, ODU's leading scorer and rebounder a year ago, get into a small school where he can play basketball and complete the two or three semesters he needs to earn his degree. Capel is extremely close to Bunn.
``Any time you lose a player of that ability, it's a big loss,'' Capel said. ``But I don't like to dwell on the negative. The way we look at it, it is a great opportunity for someone to step up.
``We don't have one player in our program who can replace him, but collectively we have three kids who we hope can fill that void.''
One is sophomore Skipper Youngblood, who had asked to be redshirted because he changed his major from music to engineering and needed four more years of school. Youngblood voluntarily said he would not redshirt following Bunn's dismissal.
``We're going to miss Joe and what he could do for us, but that's behind us and we've moved on,'' Hodge said.
CENTER OF ATTENTION: So with Bunn gone and Hodge moving over to power forward, who takes over at center for ODU?
``I'd like to see Reggie Bassette emerge in that position, but that's something he'll have to earn,'' Capel said. ``No one is going to give it to him. Personally, I'd like to see Reggie and Odell on the floor playing together.''
ODU will have returning starters at every other position, assuming Hodge is the power forward. Bassette, Youngblood and Cal Bowdler - a trio of sophomore big men - will share duties at the two inside positions with Hodge.
``This year we have to step up and be more than defensive players,'' Bassette said. ``We have to be scorers and do all the fundamental things to help the team.''
HASKIN UPDATE: Chris Haskin recently took his final attempt at the exit exam he needs to pass to earn his degree from Pensacola Junior College, and will get the results in about three weeks. Haskin already has passed the essay and English language skills sections of the test, but has not met the required score on the mathematics and reading portions. If he does not pass, he will not play at ODU.
If he passes, Haskin will enroll at Old Dominion for the second semester and become eligible Dec. 16, after the first semester is over. He would miss the Monarchs' first eight games.
``He felt good about the practice tests; he passed that,'' Pensacola coach Mark Slonaker said. ``We're just waiting for the good news.'' by CNB