The way University of Tampa Coach Richard Schmidt sees it, there are four men’s basketball squads that have a shot at winning the Sunshine State Conference; Florida Southern, Saint Leo, Rollins, and Eckerd. But in the midst of a 9-0 start, UT is looking more and more like a part of that conversation.
In the spirit of the holidays and the beginning of Conference play, here’s a gift of a little scouting report for Schmidt’s top four predictions.
Florida Southern College
Florida Southern comes into the year with high expectations after sharing the conference title with Rollins last year.
They look to win the championship outright this year, and have a great chance to do so, due to their experienced line up filled with sharp shooters.
The Mocs return four of their five co-champion starters from last season, including Rion Rayfield. Rayfield is an All-SSC guard from Wisconsin, who can flat out shoot the ball.
He holds the school’s career record for three pointers, and is in Florida Southern’s top 10 in points, assists, and free throw percentage.
He’s joined by Brandon and Terry Jenkins, brothers who were first 1st and 3rd in the SSC in three point percentage last season.
When you play Florida Southern, you better have guards who play defense.
Saint Leo University
Voted last in the SSC Pre-season poll this year, Saint Leo looks to exceed the very low expectations.
Schmidt thinks they can do just that, and that they’ve already proven that they can run with the more hyped teams.
“Saint Leo,” Schmidt said. “Has already gone out and beaten some teams that have beaten Florida Southern.”
The lions have size, and in basketball, sometimes a lack of skill or prowess can be overshadowed by a brute physical difference.
Armed with four players bigger than six foot seven, they look to dominate the low post.
Newcomer Spencer Mitchell is the biggest (literally and figuratively) addition to a team that has an excellent young core.
If you’re looking to beat Saint Leo, bring your stilts.
Eckerd College
Eckerd Coach, Tom Ryan, and Coach Schmidt are good friends. But Schmidt remembers a time, when Ryan was the one being coached.
“He’s been in [the conference] for a while,” Coach Schmidt said. “I was coaching against them when he was a player. He’s a good guy.”
Ryan is also a good coach. As usual, Eckerd is in the hunt for an NCAA Division II tournament bid.
Ranked 4th in the SSC preseason poll, the Tritons are one of three teams from the SSC garnering votes in the most recent top 25 Division II Rankings.
If they have nothing else, Eckerd has experience. The team boasts a roster with five seniors, including guard John Harper.
Harper leads the team in most statistical categories, including minutes, three point percentage, and points.
He wasn’t a starter his first two years due to injuries and inconsistencies, but he’s making up for it as an upperclassman.
Last year, he led the team with 70 three pointers, and scored over 20 points in three games.
Eckerd has a complete team, without selfishness. No one averages more than 15 points a game, yet they continue to win. If you look to beat the Tritons, it must be with size and a well executed game plan.
Rollins College
Preseason number one in the SSC, ranked 13th in Division II basketball, Rollins is the team to beat this year.
Similar to Florida Southern, the Tars return four of five starters this season, including senior guard Nick Wolf.
Last season, Wolf recorded one of the most complete seasons in Rollins’ history. He recorded 17.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game. At six foot six, Wolf has a size advantage over most guards in the Conference, and a speed advantage over most forwards. He is a two time All-SSC player, and was the SSC player of the year for the 08-09 campaign.
It would be easier for opponents if Wolf was Rollins’ only weapon, but he is joined by All-SSC second team player, Myk Brown who averaged almost 16 points a game last year.
Rollins is the best team in the Conference. Their combination of speed and size (only one player under 6 foot 2) is lethal.
They tire out defenses by having stars and role players to compliment each other. If you look to beat the Tars, you must play a complete game of basketball.
Although the SSC is tough, UT can’t get caught up in the talent of their opponents. Coach Schmidt says winning the conference is about consistency, preparation and maybe a little luck.
“I only take them one game at a time,” Schmidt said. “You’ve gotta win each one, one at a time and hope for the best.”
Miles Parks can be reached at mparks@spartans.ut.edu.