2011-2012 Florida Atlantic Owls Basketball Preview

Florida Atlantic Owls - Sun Belt

2010-11: 21-11, 13-3

2010-11 postseason: NIT

Coach: Mike Jarvis (41-53 at Florida Atlantic, 386-256 overall)

Florida Atlantic is right on track under Coach Mike Jarvis. After starting off his coaching in Boca Raton with a 2-16 conference record in the 2008-2009 season, Coach Jarvis improved his team to 10-8 the following year. Last season the Owls went 13-3 in Sun Belt play and earned a berth to the NIT. The next step is obvious…a trip to the NCAA Tournament. And this is a team that has the talent to do it, but they will need to find some big bodies that can at least play some defense as some other top teams in the conference have moved the Sun Belt away from being a purely guard-orientated league.

Who’s Out:

It is the loss of Brett Royster that has created the frontcourt problems. The 6-8 forward averaged 8.2 points per game and led the team with 6.0 rebounds and an impressive 3.0 blocks. His scoring output can be replaced, but his strength on defense will be greatly missed. If nobody can replace him somewhat effectively, the Owls may not be able to repeat as conference champs. The loss of Justin Davis does not help, even though he only averaged 6.8 minutes per game. Demonte Simpson, Darren Stewart and Dylan O’Sullivan have opted to transfer after seeing very, very limited playing time in 2010-2011.

Who’s In:

This group obviously is heavy on the big guys. Julien Sargent, a 6-10 center, has the size and the experience to be a defensive force in the paint. Sargent is not a great scorer, but he is a good rebounder and will be that shot blocking threat this team needs to replace Royster. Jelani Floyd is an interesting option as well. The journeyman is a lanky 6-9 forward who spent some time at UC Davis and failed to make much of an impact. He may not be starting material, but he is a versatile player with a nice wingspan who should be able to do what Sargent can do…grab rebounds and block shots…but by using his athleticism instead of his size and strength. Incoming freshman Kelvin Penn is another player known for his shot blocking. The 6-7 power forward will get every opportunity to work his way into the regular rotation. The lone guard headed to the Owls is Omari Grier. He is a shooter first and foremost. He should have some time to develop his game before seeing too much action on this team, but he can knock down open looks and that may be enough to give him some minutes off of the bench.

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Who to Watch:

The backcourt will again spearhead the Owls offensive attack. Greg Gantt led the team with 14.0 points per game during his sophomore season and is a dynamic scorer. He is not the most consistent outside shooter in the world, but he can knock down some long balls and attack the basket. Raymond Taylor will join him on the wing after averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals during his sophomore campaign. Taylor can do it all and he is just a 5-6 guard. He is a decent outside shooter and knocked down two three-pointers per game and he can weave through the trees and get to the basket. Alex Tucker will likely join Gantt and Taylor in the starting lineup. Tucker is the senior leader on this team and another point guard. He is not as good of a scorer as Taylor, but he is a better ball handler and will make a lot of trips to the charity stripe. With those three starting, it is a small lineup, but Coach Jarvis has plenty of other options depending on the situation and opposition. Shavar Richardson, Dennis Mavin and Pablo Bertone all have starting experience and will provide a ton of quality depth to the backcourt.

Final Projection:

Kore White is the new star of the frontcourt, at least until the newcomers come around. The 6-8, 245 pound junior emerged as a quality scoring threat under the basket. He can also step outside and consistently hit the mid-range jumper. White will be asked to do a lot this season and improve and his 5.0 rebound and 1.0 block averages of a year ago to help supplement the loss of Royster. Now that he is an upperclassman, White should be able to fill that role, but he certainly had space thanks to the presence of Royster. Now he has to do it on his own. Jordan McCoy is undersized to play the four spot, but he may have to spend more time there, especially early in the season. He is the only other forward returning who has any major experience. Andre Mattison is not completely out of the picture, but the newcomers will be asked to do more. Either way, this is a talented team on the perimeter that also has plenty of options in the frontcourt. White is ready for a breakout season and as long as he can get a little help in the paint, Florida Atlantic will take home another conference championship.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

Projected Starting Five:

Alex Tucker, Senior, Guard, 7.4 points per game
Raymond Taylor, Junior, Guard, 11.6 points per game
Greg Gantt, Junior, Guard, 14.0 points per game
Kore White, Junior, Forward, 8.2 points per game
Julien Sargent, Junior, Center, DNP last season

By Joel Welser courtesy of www.CollegeSportsMadness.com
CollegeSports-fans.com Senior Basketball Writer

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