The stats don’t lie. The Spartans are dominating their opponents early in the season.
Strong shooting and solid defense led the University of Tampa men’s basketball team to five victories as most of the campus went home for Thanksgiving break.
As a team, the Spartans are making 43.7 percent of their shots, including 30 percent from beyond the arc. Free-throw shooting remains a weak point as the team has only made 65 percent of their attempts.
The outstanding play of Jeremy Black has helped UT to the 5-1 mark, as Black has averaged a double-double with 10 rebounds and 15.5 points per game. Black is also shooting better than 52 percent.
Tampa used 48.3 percent shooting to upend Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 76-45 in the Eckerd Classic. The Bulldogs were held to 33 percent shooting, hitting only 22 of their 66 shots.
Against Florida Memorial in the final game of the Classic, UT shot nearly 40 percent as they defeated the Lions 60-49. Chris Evans and Jeremy Black each recorded double-doubles, scoring 18 points apiece. Evans grabbed 12 rebounds and Black had 16.
For the season, Tampa has out-blocked their opponents 32-10, with Chris Evans averaging two blocks in each game and Black recording 10 on the season.
Sophomore point guard Johnathan Ball, in his first year as a starter, has 29 assists in six starts. Ball is averaging 10 points per game and 5.5 rebounds.
Preseason All-American Chris Evans has taken the lead this season, averaging 21.5 points per game as well as 2.3 assists. Evans scored 35 in a losing effort against West Georgia, but was named SSC Player of the Week.
Upcoming games: Vs. Rollins College Saturday Dec. 2 @ 4 p.m. @ West Florida Saturday Dec. 9 @ 2:30 p.m. Vs. West Virginia State Sunday Dec. 17 @ 4 p.m. Vs. Southeastern Univ. Monday Dec. 18 @ 7:30 p.m. Vs. Fayetteville State Wednesday Dec. 20 @ 4 p.m.