Florida Atlantic

Daily Conference Poll: Who Will Win the Sun Belt?

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:02:15 -0500

Sun Belt Basketball Preview: 08-09

CHN — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:51:49 -0500

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Conference Rank: 18th

All-Sun Belt Team
Pos.	Player	Team	Yr.

G	Josh White	North Texas	So
G	Dominic Tilford	So. Alabama	Sr
F	Desmond Yates	MTSU	Jr
F	Alex Galindo	Florida Int'l	Sr
F	Carlos Monroe	Florida Atlantic	Sr
CHN Award Winners		Returning Leaders
Mid-Major All-Americans Carlos Monroe Desmond Yates		Points: Desmond Yates 16.0 Rebounds: Carlos Monroe 9.5 Assists: Kevin Kanaskie 3.3

Sun Belt Standings
Nat'l	Team	League	Tourney

79	South Alabama	Sun Belt	1	NCAA
95	Middle Tenn St	Sun Belt	2
123	West Kentucky	Sun Belt	3
175	Ark Little Rock	Sun Belt	4
191	LA Lafayette	Sun Belt	5
201	North Texas	Sun Belt	6
213	Florida Intl	Sun Belt	7
231	Florida Atlantic	Sun Belt	8
241	Denver	Sun Belt	9
247	Arkansas State	Sun Belt	10
264	New Orleans	Sun Belt	11
280	LA Monroe	Sun Belt	12
307	Troy	Sun Belt	13

*Click on links for full Top 144 team preview

Poll: Who Do You Think Will Win the Sun Belt?

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Rise & Fall: The Sun Belt

College Football: Troy @ Florida Atlantic Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:40:39 -0400

The Sun Belt takes center stage for the second consecutive Tuesday, as Florida Atlantic (1-4, 0-1 Sun Belt) hosts Troy (2-2, 1-0) in a rematch of last season's finale that saw FAU win at Troy to earn the New Orleans Bowl bid. The Owls, thanks in large part to a tough non-conference schedule that sent them to Texas, Michigan State and Minnesota, ranks seventh in the Sun Belt in both scoring offense and turnover margin. But with senior QB Rusty Smith running the show, FAU is more than capable of putting up some big numbers.

But just like last week's 14-13 loss at Middle Tennessee, turnovers will tell the story for the Owls. Troy is in the middle of the pack in regards to turnover margin (5th), but they lead the Sun Belt in pass defense and already have picked off eight passes on the year. The Trojans have one of the best corners in the conference in Sherrod Martin, who's tied for the conference lead with three interceptions. Martin and FAU LB Frantz Joseph may be the best defensive players on display in this game that features two of the better defensive units in the Sun Belt.

As for the Trojan offense, keep an eye on QB Jamie Hampton and RB DuJuan Harris. Hampton is currently fourth in the conference in passing efficiency, while Harris ranks sixth in the Sun Belt in rushing yards per game. By the way, they're both sophomores so the Sun Belt will have to deal with them the next two years as well. And in wide receivers Jerrel Jernigan and Kennard Burton, head coach Larry Blakeney also has two of the top ten in both receptions per game and receiving yards per game.

Who wins this game? In a measure of revenge for the Owls winning on their home field to end the 2007 season, Troy picks up the win and deals FAU a serious blow in returning to the New Orleans Bowl.

- Vanderbilt named FWAA/Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week.

Thanks to their 14-13 home win over then-#13 Auburn, #13/14 Vanderbilt was named national team of the week. The win moved the Commodores to 5-0 (3-0 SEC) on the year, and they haven't started a season in such fashion since 1943. The 3-0 start to SEC play hasn't been accomplished since 1982, which is also the last time the program played in a bowl game.

- Bulletin board material for Saturday's LSU/Florida showdown.

The noon matinee between #1 Oklahoma and #5 Texas may get the most attention this week, and rightfully so. But right behind that game in the pecking order is #4 LSU visiting #11 Florida, and LSU defensive lineman Ricky-Jean Francois provided the second bit of motivation (the first being LSU winning last year 28-24 thanks to 6-for-6 on fourth down) for the Gators and their offensive line.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the senior defensive tackle stated that if the Tigers got a clean shot at reigning Heisman winner Tim Tebow, they're "going to try our best to take him out of the game...I think every lineman wants to get a good hit on a Heisman Trophy winner." For a game in which line play will have a lot of say as to who wins the SEC battle, it'll be interesting to see if there are any extracurricular activities at the end of plays in Saturday.

State of '08: Florida

Shawn Siegel — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:48:10 -0400

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Duke or Carolina? BC or UMASS? Gonzaga or Washington.. or Washington State? What is the best program in each state? While there's not much competition in Hawaii.. there are great debates to be had in loaded regions like California, North Carolina, and Texas. The State of '08 is a ranking of every program in every state.. based mostly on recent success (the last five years) mixed in with subjective factors such as conference prestige, historical success, and overall program direction.

Up today: Florida For more info, check out the State of '08 introduction.

FLORIDA

FLORIDA - Obvious choice at the top of the Sunshine state. Before last year, Billy Donovan's Gators had made 9 NCAA Tournaments in a row.. including back to back national titles. Hart to top that.

MIAMI - Since Frank Haith took over four years ago, Miami has made two NIT trips and one NCAA Tournament. But in the five years before last, Miami hadn't reached the Top 60 in RPI, and they've still never finished above .500 in the ACC. Fans are certainly expecting a big ACC finish this time around.

FLORIDA STATE - The 'Noles perpetually seem to be on the verge of something big, but they can't seem to get over the hump. This is basically the story of Leonard Hamilton's career. In the last six years, FSU has hovered between 41 and 81 in the RPI five times.. but have yet to reach the Big Dance.

CENTRAL FLORIDA - Despite lacking the profile of a Miami or FSU, UCF is a consistently solid team that deserves more attention. Long time coach Kirk Speraw has led the Knights to four NCAA Tournaments, and helped them make the transition to the more competitive Conference USA. Since joining the CUSA before 2006, the Knights have finished .500 or better in league play each season.

SOUTH FLORIDA - The Bulls haven't had much success since joining the Big East, but the program does seem to be gaining momentum. Last year, USF beat three Top 60 teams including FSU, UAB, and Syracuse.

6. FLORIDA A&M - The Rattlers are always one of the better teams in the MEAC. In fact, 2001 was the last time FAMU finished below .500 in league play. Although the MEAC is the 2nd worst league in the country, the Rattlers have taken advantage of the weak competition by making the Tournament in 2004 & 2007.

7. FLORIDA ATLANTIC - After a shocking Tourney run in 2002, the Owls haven't sniffed postseason play. In fact, FAU has only won two SB tournament games in the past six seasons, though they've been competitive in the last three seasons. It will be interesting to see if new head coach Mike Jarvis can regain some his former glory, after his tenure at St. John's came to an embarrassing end.

8. JACKSONVILLE - The Dolphins are coming off one of their best campaigns in recent memory, finishing 2nd in the A-Sun, making it to the conference title game, and finishin with an RPI of 164. That's pretty heady stuff for a program that was 1-26 in 2006 (only managing to knock of UNF). This is the 2nd season in a row that JU led its Florida rivals (Stetson, FGCU, and UNF) in the A-Sun.

9. STETSON - The Mad Hatters have hovered around 250 in the RPI for the past couple years, but are coming off a decent campaign that included an 11-5 Atlantic Sun record. This is the second time Stetson has won 11 league games in the past three seasons.

10. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL - FIU is consistently overmatched by its Sun Belt competition. The Panthers haven't finished above .500 in league play since 2000.. and really haven't come close since. At least things have improved since 03 & 04 when FIU was one of the worst teams in the country, winning just 10 D1 games those years.

11. BETHUNE-COOKMAN - The Wildcats continue to struggle, finishing 3rd to last in the lowly MEAC in back to back seasons. 2000 was probably the last time there was any legitimate hope of making a run in the conference tournament.

12. FLORIDA GULF COAST - In their first full D1 season, FGCU had decent success, winning 10 games, including 6 in the Atlantic Sun. At the very least, this already puts them ahead of North Florida.

13. NORTH FLORIDA - Despite a decent nickname (the Ospreys), UNF hasn't had even the slightest success since joining D1 in 05-06. UNF has won an amazingly small 7 D1 games in the past three seasons, and only beat winless NJIT in the RPI last year.

Last: D.C. - Next: Georgia

State of '08: The Introduction

FAU Announces Four Recruits

Press Release — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:58:38 -0400

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's men's basketball Head Coach Mike Jarvis has received commitments from four players who will attend the university and be part of the Owls' team in 2008-09. The recruits include a pair of the nation's top prep school guards, Alex Tucker (Redondo Beach, California), Shavar Richardson (Bronx, New York) and sharp-shooting high school standout Nick Gagel (Jeffersontown, Kentucky).

Richardson, a 6-foot-2-inch combo guard, averaged 17.6 points per game at New Creations Christian School in Richmond, Indiana last season. Originally from New York's Bishop Laughlin High School, Richardson helped New Creations prep go 41-9 and helped the Flyers win the 2008 Pennsylvania Prep School Invitational National Championship. A true two-guard and excellent shooter, Richardson also played point guard for a Flyers team that had five players average double-figures in scoring.

Speedy 6-foot point guard Alex Tucker, a product of Redondo Union High School, committed to FAU after attending Summit College Prep in Simi Valley, California, playing for Summit's elite prep program which is recognized as one of the best nationwide. Tucker was an All-CIF guard at Redondo Union, helping the Sea Hawks compile one of the best records in school history during his senior season in 2006-07.

Jarvis also has signed Nick Gagel, a 2008 graduate of Kentucky's Jeffersontown High School. Gagel had a phenomenal career at J'Town, playing a key role on the Chargers' state championship team of 2006. He finished his prep career with 1,277 points and set school records by making 210 three-point shots and shooting 49 percent from a three-point range as a three-year starter. Gagel averaged 15.8 points per game as a senior at J'Town, and the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches (KABC) named him its 2008 Region 7 Player of the Year. The Associated Press named Gagel to its Kentucky High School Boys' All-State basketball team, one of just 21 prep players in Kentucky to be recognized by the AP in 2008. Gagel's 16 points from the 2008 Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game also earned him game MVP honors.

Justin Davis (Jacksonville, Florida), a 6-foot-9-inch post player, will transfer to FAU after playing at Mercer University as a true freshman in 2007-08. Davis was a two-time team MVP at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville where he averaged 20 points per game and 11.6 rebounds as a senior. Davis totaled 10 blocks and 36 rebounds in 21 games at Mercer last season.

Fantasy Heroes: Big Men

Jon Teitel — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:20:37 -0500

Today's Fantasy Heroes: Big Men

BIG MEN WHO BLOCK

50+ FG%, 9+ RPG, 2+ BPG	TEAM	FG%	RPG	BPG	PPG
Richard Hendrix	Alabama	62.2	10.2	2.2	18.6
Jason Thompson	Rider	55.6	11.7	2.9	20.3
Marqus Blakely	Vermont	55.3	10.8	2.6	19.8
Kyle Hines	UNCG	56.4	9.5	2.9	19.5
John Bryant	Santa Clara	61.3	9.8	2.3	18.8
Michael Beasley	Kansas St.	54.5	12.5	1.6	25.4


BIG MEN WHO STEAL

50+ FG%, 9+ RPG, 1+ SPG	TEAM	FG%	RPG	SPG	PPG
Tyler Hansbrough	UNC	55.3	10.7	1.5	23.1
Jonathan Rodriguez	Campbell	50.0	9.8	1.5	21.4
Carlos Monroe	FAU	52.4	9.0	1.0	15.6
Arizona 'AZ' Reid	High Point	53.4	11.1	1.8	23.2
Reggie Larry	Boise St.	54.8	9.1	1.5	19.2
Reggie Williams	VMI	53.4	9.5	2.1	27.1

*Stats are full season averages as of today.

Check back tomorrow for impressive fantasy shooters.