DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 1997            TAG: 9711250749

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   24 lines

ODU WON'T GET MUCH BASSETTE AGAINST VMI

While Reggie Bassette has returned to the court for Old Dominion, don't expect him to play significant minutes tonight when the Monarchs face Virginia Military Institute.

Bassette, who played 15 minutes with his right wrist heavily wrapped, is still recovering from a broken carpal bone that was initially expected to sideline him until January.

``He's not in great game shape right now,'' said ODU head coach Jeff Capel of his 6-foot-9 junior center. ``Game-type conditioning is much different and he just hasn't been playing.''

Capel was pleased to have Bassette back, but he seems equally pleased with his team's defensive effort in a 72-60 victory over Hampton University Saturday.

``We had a great team defensive effort,'' Capel said. ``When things weren't going well on our offensive end, we didn't let down at the other end.''

Tonight's game with the Keydets (1-1) is the second of a three-game home stand for the Monarchs (1-1), who will host Texas Tech Saturday night.

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