Men's Basketball | 2/1/2015 2:10:00 PM
BALTIMORE –
Sterling Smith had moved on to Plan B after mentally preparing to be a spectator this season for the Coppin State men's basketball team.
Grueling and sometimes debilitating pain in his feet and ankles temporarily grounded Smith, a 6 foot, 4 inch guard.
"At the end of July, I was thinking I was going to possibly have to red shirt because my ankle wasn't fully healed," Smith said. "It was rough and painful at times, but I rehabbed with (Athletics Trainer) Dan (Bellamy) all summer. I was off the court for 6-8 months. It was a rough journey but I am happy to be back on the court."
Coppin State (3-18 overall, 2-6 MEAC is glad to have him as well. The Eagles are soaring at the perfect time as they start a critical four-game homestand with a monster nationally-televised matchup against crosstown foe Morgan State (4-17, 2-5) Monday beginning at 7:00 p.m.
It's one of the most anticipated basketball games on the HBCU calendar each year. With the ESPN cameras in the house, the intensity will be ratcheted up a few notches in one of best rivalries in college hoops. This is the HBCU version of the Duke-North Carolina matchups.
Although the Eagles have played on national television a few times this year already, this particular moment is significant.
"It's a great experience," Smith said. "Playing an ESPNU game on Monday night is special and something that not every school gets an opportunity to experience. We're fortunate and happy for the opportunity to represent the MEAC and Coppin State. The atmosphere is going to be live. Plus, you add in the fact that we're playing Morgan State and it should be a good game."
When asked to describe what it's like playing in a Morgan State game, Smith had difficulty doing so even though he smiled at the question.
"There's nothing like playing your crosstown rival," Smith said. "You can't explain it and you just go out there and play. I haven't beaten Morgan State since I've been here."
The Bears have had the upper hand recently, having won 12 of the last 14 matchups, including six straight by an average of 14.5 points per game. Morgan State ended Coppin State's season last year in the MEAC semifinals by a 79-64 count.
With Coppin State playing its best basketball of the season, this homestand, which also features games against South Carolina State (Sat. Feb. 7), Savannah State (Mon. Feb. 9) and Howard (Sat. Feb. 14) comes at a perfect time. Coppin State proved it can play with the best in the conference during a 79-77 road loss to reigning MEAC Tournament champion North Carolina State on Jan. 24.
"With how well we are meshing as a team, this is a great time to have a TV game," Smith said. "For one of the first times this year, we're not worried about how we are going to play. We are confident in our ability that we're going to go out every night and have a chance to win the game."
Smith was at his best during the Eagles recent three-game road trip against North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T and Maryland Eastern Shore. He averaged 21.3 points in the games on a ridiculous 63.2 percent shooting from the field (24-for-38).
His offensive centerpiece was a career-high tying 24-point performance against North Carolina A&T in which he made 6-of-11 from three-point distance. For the season, Smith has scored in double figures 14 times and posted one double-double against Eastern Michigan (14 points, 11 rebounds).
"We're starting to share the ball more," Smith said. "We're all beginning to figure out that making the extra pass is leading to easier shots for us. We're also making more shots because we're getting better looks. We have a better understanding of coaches' system. We believe we are a great team with a lot of talent."
