Rollins Las Vegas Classic Ready to Tip

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Abilene Christian ACU	36	25	61
Rollins RCM	30	35	65

Team

Abilene Christian ACU

Rollins RCM

Rollins has participated in various December tournaments in Las Vegas for more than a decade, but for the first time the Tars will host, meeting Abilene Christian and Cameron at the Rollins Las Vegas Classic. The Doolitte Community Center will be the venue with games scheduled for Dec. 15-16. Fans will be able to catch all the action live on the Tars Sports Network with audio broadcasts at RollinsSports.com.

ROLLINS (5-1) AT A GLANCE: Winners of its last five straight, Rollins heads to Vegas as one of Division II's hottest teams. The Tars are averaging more than 76 points a game and have one of the nation's defenses, allowing just 57.5 a night. In all but one game, they have held opponents to less than 58 points and under .500 shooting.

The Tars last time out was an 87-78 double overtime win over Southeastern on Dec. 7. Mitch Woods produced a career-best double-double, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The junior transfer was 10-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range. He scored 12 points after regulation, highlighted by back-to-back triples in the second overtime that proved to be game winners for Rollins (5-1). Kyle McClanahan recorded a career-best 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists Brett Chance continued his hot senior season with 15 points.

On the season, Chance is netting 13.3 points a game to lead the offense. McClanahan adds 11.8 a game and ranks second in the conference with 5.7 assists a night. Mitch Woods is the SSC's second-ranked 3-point shooter, hitting 59 percent from beyond the arc, and chips in 11.3 points a game. Jeff Dirkin leads Rollins and is tied atop the conference with nine blocks.

ABILENE CHRISTIAN (4-4): The Wildcats will meet Rollins to open play looking to snap a three-game losing streak. ACU lost to Dallas Baptist to start the season, then rattled off four-straight wins before hitting its current streak.

Abilene averages 72.5 points a game, but is surrendering 71.8 a game to its opponents.

Most recently, ACU lost to Tarleton State 64-50. The Wildcats dug themselves an early hole, shooting just 2-of-25 in the first half and falling behind 38-12 at the half. Eric Lawton led the way with 15 points while Parker Wentz put up nine. Lawton leads the way with 16.6 points a game while Elliott Lloyd adds 12.8 a game. Steven Werner contributes 11 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds a game.

CAMERON (4-4): The Aggies of Cameron University are a very defensive-minded team and have lost three of its last four. CU was 2-0 to start the year, split games at the Kingsville Classic and then lost its first three Lone Star Conference Games.

The Aggies are coming off a 66-56 win over Eastern New Mexico in their home opener. Tim Johnson paced Cameron with 15 points and six rebounds. Craig Foster added 12 points and handed out nine assists.

Foster is the Aggies' top scorer with 13.4 points a game and is the lone player to average double figures. Eight players average better than five points a game. Jonathan Patino is the top rebounder with 5.9 a game.

THE COACHES: Rollins legend Tom Klusman is in his 33rd year at the helm of the Tars program and has a career record of 595-331. Over the past 10 years, he has totaled 228 wins, the most among any coaches in the Sunshine State Conference during the span. R-Jay Barash is in his first season as head coach of the Fire.

THE SERIES: Rollins has never played Abilene Christen and Cameron in men's basketball.

KLUSMAN CHASING HISTORY: Rollins veteran head coach Tom Klusman stands to join elite company this season as the 15th Division II coach to reach 600 career victories. With seven more wins he will be just the fifth active coach to have reached the milestone.

Division II Winningest Active Coaches by Victories:

1. Herb McGee (Philadelphia) - 941-375

2. Bob Chipman (Washburn) - 721-296

3. Tom Smith (Mo. Western St.) - 608-446

4. Richard Schmidt (Tampa) - 603-300

5. Tom Klusman (Rollins) - 590-330

records heading into season

Rollins coaching staff of Klusman, Kyle Frakes, Brad Ash, Ian Scott and Austin David have a combined 73 years experience on the bench. Klusman, Ash and Scott all laced it up for the Tars in their playing careers.

DUNK 'N COUNT: The Tars this season have already recorded more official dunks than any other two years combined the last decade:

Dave Diakite: 4 made, 2 missed

Chris Uhle: 2 made, 0 missed

Jeff Dirkin: 1 made, 2 missed

Brett Chance: 1 made, 0 missed

Last season, Diakite was nominated for the ESPN2 Dunk of the Year.

DIVISION I SIX-PACK: For the first time under Tom Klusman and perhaps in the more than 100 year history of Rollins basketball, the Tars roster will feature six NCAA Division I transfers. Brett Chance is in his third-year with Rollins since coming over from Canisius. Dave Diakite joined Rollins from cross-town UCF last season. Kyle McClanahan (Florida), Adam Allen (Florida), Mitch Woods (Appalachian St.) and Lukas Winegarner (Radford) are each in their first seasons with Rollins.

DECADE OF DOMINANCE: Over the past 10-years, Rollins is the winningest team in the Sunshine State Conference:

1. Rollins - overall: 223-74 (.750), SSC: 109-47 (.698)

2. Eckerd - overall: 209-93 (.692), SSC :100-56 (.641)

3. Fla. Southern - overall: 211-96 (.687), SSC: 100-56 (.641)

4. Tampa - overall: 159-123 (.563), SSC: 71-85 (.455)

5. Barry - overall: 157-137 (.534), SSC: 71-85 (.455)

NABC DIVISION II COACHES POLL - WEEK 4

1. West Liberty (W.Va.)

2. Washburn (Kan.)

3. Metropolitan State (Colo.)

4. Alabama-Huntsville

5. Bellarmine (Ky.)