MEAC report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

The Eagles finished 15-15 but one win away from the NCAA Tournament after advancing to the MEAC Conference title game.

Coppin State won six of its last seven games, the lone loss being in the MEAC Tournament championship, falling 70-53 to South Carolina State.

The Eagles 13-5 conference mark tied them with Hampton for second place in the MEAC regular-season standings, which was remarkable considering they lost their first six and won just two of their first 10 games.

The late-season winning streak gave the Eagles momentum and put them in contention for an NCAA berth.

A glance at 2001

The Eagles lose just three seniors, but two are the team's top scorers. Role players will have to become stars, or at least more significant players.

The Eagles also will need to get a bit bigger, as they graduated two 6-8 starters.

Tradition is on Coppin State's side. They've regularly been a team that has advanced far in the MEAC Tournament.

The coach

Ron "Fang" Mitchell has more than 200 wins in 13 seasons at Coppin State, is well respected among his peers and regarded as one of the masters in his field.

He can stay as long as he wants. Of greater concern might be that his name is popping up in job searches.

Who'll be back

Second-leading scorer Joe Brown (6-7, 200) had a nice junior season, averaging 12.9 points. He'll need to increase his scoring load next season.

Rasheem Sims (6-2, 165) is real solid in the backcourt after averaging 9.8 points as a sophomore as the team's fourth-leading scorer. Another sophomore, Larry Tucker (6-4, 210) will need to become a bigger scorer next year as a junior after averaging seven points last season.

Jason Iacona provides great height (7-1, 200), but needs to become more of a presence inside after averaging just 1.3 points last season and playing in just three games.

Who's gone

Guard Jorge Cajigas stood just 5-10, 160, but played big, averaging a team-leading 14.7 points. The Puerto Rico native has used up his eligibility.

Kofi Pointer (6-8, 215) is also gone after averaging 11.4 points, and Tyran Watkins (6-8, 210) provided strength underneath.