Men’s Basketball preview: The rest of the state

November 5, 2023 · by · in Around Florida

A quick look at the schools who aren’t in power five conferences (outside FAU who we did a full preview of due to their status nationally).

Bethune-Cookman

  • Last season: 12-20 (8-12 in SWAC)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: None
  • Last NCAA: None
  • Last league title 2011 (regular season in MEAC)
  • Coach: Reggie Theus (21-41 in 2 years at BC, 115-169 overall in 9 years)

A lack of depth probably dooms any real chance for improvement this season. Keep an eye of Zion Harmon, a potential SWAC player of the year.

Florida A&M

  • Last season: 7-22 (5-13 in the SWAC)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: None
  • Last NCAA: 2007
  • Last league title 2007 (regular season and tournament in MEAC)
  • Coach: Robert McCullum (61-110, 6 years, 145-231 overall in 13 years)

The Rattlers have turned over much of their roster and should be more physical this season.

Florida Gulf Coast

  • Last season: 17-15 ( 7-11 in the ASUN)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 3 NCAA, 2 NIT, 2 CIT
  • 1 Sweet 16 in 2013
  • Last NCAA: 2017
  • Last league title 2017 (regular season and tournament in ASUN)
  • Coach: Pat Chambers (17-15, 1 year, 207-193 overall in 12 years)

This program which was one of the best low-major programs in the country between 2013 and 2018 has fallen to middling status. This season will be another mediocre season.

Florida International

  • Last season: 14-18 ( 8-12 in C-USA)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 1 CIT
  • Last NCAA: 1995
  • Last league title 1995 (TAAC tournament)
  • Coach: Jeremy Ballard (77-79, 5 years)

Last season’s late collapse and Denver Jones transfer to Auburn leaves serious questions. But three starters return and this team was so close in so many games against good teams last year. Quite frankly anything could happen this season with the Panthers.

Jacksonville

  • Last season: 13-16 ( 6-12 in the ASUN)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 1 CIT
  • Last NCAA: 1986
  • Last league title 2010 ( tournament in ASUN)
  • Coach: Jordan Mincy (34-26, 2 years)

JU took a step back last season after being close to making postseason in 2021-22. This was largely due to injuries. Bryce Workman will be back this season and other injured players like Gyasi Powell and Jarius Cook should be back to 100%.

North Florida

  • Last season: 14-17 ( 9-9 in the ASUN)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 1 NCAA, 1 NIT,
  • Last NCAA: 2014
  • Last league title 2015 (regular season) 2014 (ASUN tournament )
  • Coach: Matt Driscoll (217-231, 14 years)

An inexperienced team that is likely to really struggle this season.

South Florida

  • Last season: 14-18 ( 7-11 in the American)
  • Postseason: None
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 1 CBI
  • Last NCAA: 2012
  • Last league title 1990 (Sun Belt Tournament)
  • Coach: Amir Abdur-Rahim (1st year, 45-74 overall in 4 years)

My hunch is USF is going to be much stronger this season. They have a great chance to make postseason securing eight incoming transfers, some of whom will have a major impact.

Stetson

  • Last season: 17-14 ( 12-6 in the ASUN)
  • Postseason: Lost in CBI
  • Last ten full seasons postseason appearances: 2 CBI
  • Last NCAA: Never
  • Last league title: None
  • Coach: Donnie Jones (56-65, 4 years, 211-194 overall in 13 years)

I absolutely love Donnie Jones who critical in building the culture at Florida that led to two national titles among other honors under his mentor Billy Donovan. He transitioned UCF from low-major to viable program in his time down the road in Orlando. Now in DeLand, Stetson are building something worth checking out if you are in Central Florida.