AT A GLANCE - Newly ranked Rollins begins defense of its
back-to-back Sunshine State Conference titles on the road
Wednesday, facing Tampa at 7:30 p.m. The Tars were the preseason
favorite in the SSC and stand as the only unbeaten team in the
league. At 4-0, the Tars entered the national rankings for the
first time all season, checking in at No. 25. Rollins has been off
the last seven days for the Thanksgiving holiday. Prior to the
layoff, they faced Webber International and Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
at home. Against WIU, the Tars struggled shooting in the second
half, allowing the Warriors to climb out of an eight-point halftime
hole and force overtime. In the extra frame, Jeremy Sharpe scored
seven of his game-high 22 to give Rollins a 75-67 win. Two days
later, Myk Brown netted 21 to lead Rollins past the Gallitos 81-70.
Rollins has won the first four games by an average of 12.5 points a
game, ranking second in the SSC. They lead the conference in field
goal defense, allowing opponents just 38 percent from the field.
The Tars defense also produces an SSC second-best five blocks a
night and conference leading 11.8 steals...Tampa stands at 2-3 on
the season and is coming off a split at the Eckerd College Classic
over the weekend. They opened play with a 70-50 loss to Shaw, but
bounced back the next day, beating Puerto Rico Bayamon 53-44. The
Spartans ranks at the bottom in scoring offense, generating 50.2
points a game, but are allowing a SSC second-best 52.2 points a
night.
THE STARS - Jeremy Sharpe leads Rollins' season box score with
15.5 points a night. Myk Brown is putting up 14.5 points a game
while Dave Diakite nets 11.5 a game. Chris Malcolm adds nine points
and a team-best eight rebounds a game...UT is led by Ashton
Graham's 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Osby Kelly chips in
8.4 points a night and Jon Riles adds 7.8 points a game.
THE COACHES - Tom Klusman, now in his 32nd year at the helm of
his alma mater, enters the season with a chance to earn career
victory 600. He ranks fifth among active Division II coaches
(578-317), which is 18th all-time...The only other coach in the
Sunshine State Conference with more victories is UT's Richard
Schmidt (Western Kentucky '64). Now in his 29th-season
leading the Spartans, he has a record of 572-257 at UT and overall
mark of 600-284.
THE SERIES - Tampa leads the all-time series with Rollins 64-42
with the Tars taking two of three last season. AT UT, Rollins was
downed 86-80 despite 24-points from Myk Brown. The Tars then went
on to rattle off 12-straight wins. At home later in the year,
Rollins won 78-65 and also took the rubber match, a 67-62 triumph
in the first round of the SSC Tournament.
UP NEXT - Rollins next host 22nd-ranked Florida
Southern Saturday, Dec. 3 in a battle of ranked teams. Tip-off is
slated for 4 p.m.
