Coach: Chris Fuller, fourth season at Morgan State (28-54), 12th overall (173-153).
Affiliation: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
1997-98 record: 12-16 overall, 11-7 in MEAC.
Radio: WEAA (88.9 FM).
Arena: Gilman School (through Jan. 25); Hill Field House (5,000).
Starters lost: Two.
Tickets: $8 general admission, $5 faculty, $3 students. Call 443-885-3830.
Best home game: Coppin State, Feb. 25. A packed Hill Field House should provide plenty of atmosphere in the regular-season finale for the cross-town rivals.
Best visiting player: Tarvis Williams, Hampton, Jan. 25. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in winning the MEAC Rookie of Year Award last season.
Outlook: The MEAC's sole returning first-team pick, Rasheed Sparks, returns on a team that will be as deep as any in the league. The question is whether the Bears will be able to maintain their confidence after playing 11 of their first 12 games away from home. Morgan won nine of its last 13 regular-season games last season. Peaking in February is fine, but that solid effort needs to be maintained the entire season.
Around the league: Morgan will look to join the league's elite teams -- Coppin, South Carolina State and Hampton. Coppin and South Carolina State have lost a lot of the key players who helped lift them into the MEAC tournament final last season.
Returning players
'Name -- Michael Canady
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-11
Wt. -- 200
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Big inside presence.
Name -- Brandon Dalton
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-7
Wt. -- 190
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Good perimeter scorer.
Name -- John Dorcinvil
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 290
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Huge body, needs work.
@Name -- Jimmy Fields
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-10
Wt. -- 170
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Gilman product started 13 games.
Name -- Curtis King
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-7
Wt. -- 215
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- First-team All-Rookie last season.
Name -- Jeric Lewis
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-5
Wt. -- 185
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- 20 points, 10 rebounds vs. TCU.
Name -- Heddrick McBride
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-2
Wt. -- 180
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Can play either guard position.
Name -- Doug Qualls
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-7
Wt. -- 215
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Played well toward end of season.
Name -- Rasheed Sparks
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-3
Wt. -- 175
Pos. -- G/F
Fast breaks -- First-team All-MEAC.
Name -- Ronnie Van Hook
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-2
Wt. -- 180
Pos. -- F
Yr. -- Provides scoring off bench.
Newcomers
Name -- Jason Demory
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-0
Wt. -- 185
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Sat out last season.
Name -- Angelo Herron
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-10
Wt. -- 175
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Starter in 1996-97, sat out last season.
Name -- Corey McNeill
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-1
Wt. -- 175
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Medical redshirt last season.
Pub Date: 11/13/98
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