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Published Wed, Nov 11, 2009 02:00 AM
Modified Wed, Nov 11, 2009 06:15 AM

NCCU faces UNC in opener

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CHUCK LIDDY - cliddy@newsobserver.com

N.C. Central's new coach, LeVelle Moton, says he is 'up for a challenge' when his Eagles play UNC tonight.

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BY ROBBI PICKERAL - Staff Writer

Tags: basketball | college | nccu | sports

During its first two seasons playing at the NCAA's Division I level, N.C. Central's basketball team traveled more than 47,000 miles across 22 states.

So the fact that the Eagles begin their third season of Division I competition tonight with a mere 10-mile bus ride to Chapel Hill would seem like a respite - except that they happen to be facing defending national champion North Carolina on national television in the 2K Sports Classic (9 p.m., ESPNU).

"That's quite the way to throw you out there," said Eagles coach LeVelle Moton, a former Enloe High standout who went on to become a star guard for the Eagles. "But I've always been a fierce competitor, and I'm always up for a challenge. It would be hard to find anyone who has more respect for Roy Williams and North Carolina - but you'll also be hard-pressed to find someone who wants to beat them more than me."

It's that competitive spirit that Moton is trying to drill into the Eagles, who have won only eight games - including only one on the road and two neutral-site contests - since moving up to Division I. Moton served as an assistant coach at NCCU the past two years.

Now the head coach, he would like the Eagles to play a more up-tempo style this season. First and foremost, though, he's pushing his squad to play "winning basketball," and considering his young personnel, that means the team's tempo could change game to game.

He inherits only one senior (6-5 forward Joshua Worthy), but junior guards Michael Glasker (a team-high 80 assists last season) and Vincent Davis (11.2 points, 4 rebounds a game) return. Moton also added a six-player recruiting class that includes junior guard C.J. Wilkerson (who grew up in Oxford) and sophomore forward T.J. Granger, who most recently played at Allegany College of Maryland. Those five are expected to start tonight against the sixth-ranked Tar Heels (1-0).

"I wanted to come here because it's Division I and because of Coach Moton," said Wilkerson, who played at Clinton Junior College. "But playing UNC, that's a big plus. I grew up a North Carolina fan, so the chance to play the defending national champions on national TV is pretty exciting."

Moton, who already has received good-luck text messages and calls from several former UNC players, including Raymond Felton, Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse and David Noel, said one of the keys to preparing for tonight is getting his players focused.

"When I saw who we were playing, one of the first things I thought about was the psyche of team," he said. "Because our players and fans here may cheer for Central, but in March, they're cheering for Carolina. So we've got to stay mentally tough."

For the returning players, the experience gained from past road trips should help.

This season, the Eagles are on tap to log 16,846 miles against foes from 14 conferences. It's their way of playing a full schedule, while raising money for the athletic department.

Moton, though, is relieved that NCCU's move to the MEAC next year will significantly reduce his team's travel time.

"It's one thing trying to sell a kid on trips to Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas - but all those layovers everywhere, all that extra time, that's some wear and tear," Moton said.

Added Glasker, "Going from New Jersey to Florida to Utah - it teaches you discipline. But it will be nice to be on a more normal schedule."

Until then, Moton is focused on building a competitive program, no matter how far from home they might play. Tonight, at least, the Eagles plan to enjoy the short bus ride.

"I think there's going to be lot of excitement, a lot of nervous energy - just the thought of us playing in front of twenty-something thousand people on television," Wilkerson said. "But I think we're going to be ready to get this season started."

robbi.pickeral@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8944

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