Following in the Footsteps of a Legend.. The Coaching Career of Ryne Derozan

[Deuce2223]

DECEMBER TEAM REPORT

TEAM REVIEW
Well December didn't go as well as November, UNF still managed a record above .500 going (5-3) and match their non-conference record of 9-4 from last season setting themselves up for another potential run at a 20 win season. UNF's 3 loss's didn't help them in the Mid-Major Poll as they are still ranked #22 but their tough schedule playing Top-25 ranked Syracuse and Top-10 ranked LSU did help their RPI as they are currently ranked #32.

Once one of the highest scoring teams in the nation UNF has dropped to #15 in the nation (tied with Syracuse) at 82.1 PPG. but going into A-Sun play it's #1 leaving some to wonder if the Osprey can make a run at a regular season title.

PLAYER STATS
D Root-12.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1..1 SPG 34/67 3PT (50%)
M. Dupre-11.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG
R. Garza-9.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 14/37 (38%)
Z. Graves-9.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5/16 3PT (30%)
C. Ngounou-9.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
J. Thomas-8.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.2 APG 19/34 (56%)
D. Carter-7.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG
C. Thiero-6.2 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 16/41 (39%)
T. Dye-5.8 PPG,2.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.8 SPG 9/23 (39%0
E. Bowen-2.2 PPG, 4/13 3PT (30%)

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION DECEMBER REPORT

TOP-25 POLL

#1 Memphis (8-0)
#2 Louisville (12-1)
#3 Providence (12-0)
#4 UNC (9-2)
#5 Arizona (12-0)
#6 Washington (11-1)
#7 UConn (7-2)
#8 Indiana (11-1)
#9 Tennessee (11-2)
#10 LSU (9-0)
#11 Villanova (10-2)
#12 Michigan State (10-3)
#13 Florida (10-1)
#14 UCLA (9-2)
#15 Kentucky (11-3)
#16 Texas (8-3)
#17 Baylor (12-1)
#18 Kansas (10-1)
#19 Wisconsin (9-2)
#20 Syracuse (11-2)
#21 USC (11-1)
#22 Missouri (10-1)
#23 UNLV (13-2)
#24 Rhode Island (11-1)
#25 Boston College (11-1)

MID-MAJOR

#1 Saint Mary's (11-3)
#2 Western Kentucky (8-2)
#3 Western Michigan (9-2)
#4 Gonzaga (9-5)
#5 IUPUI (8-2)
#6 Middle Tennessee (9-3)
#7 VCU (7-3)
#8 UW Green Bay (8-3)
#9 Kent State (9-5)
#10 S. Illinois (6-4)
#11 Nevada (7-5)
#12 Pacific (7-4)
#13 Davidson (6-4)
#14 RIder (7-4)
#15 Missouri State (7-3)
#16 Valparaiso (10-4)
#17 Wagner (6-4)
#18 Pepperdine (9-4)
#19 E. Kentucky (6-2)
#20 Ohio (6-4)
#21 Loyola MD (8-4)
#22 UNF (9-4)
#23 Drexel (6-4)
#24 James Madison (8-5)
#25 Illinois-Chicago (7-3)

[redsox907]

seems like you guys are shooting at a decent clip from 3 and that'll always help in the tournament

[Deuce2223]

A-SUN REPORT

When the year started many picked East Tennessee State (74 Overall) to repeat as regular season champions. The Buccaneers were returning with SR SG Elijah Cuffie (81 Overall) who averaged 15.55 PPG last season and is "Highest Overall and Best Pro Prospect" Cuffie has been solid averaging averaging 16.7 PPG but a sub. .500 record in non-conference play has once again opened up the door for people to wonder if this could be UNF's chance to take the regular season crown.

Here is a look at every team's record going into conference play

UNF (70 Overall) (9-4) Record
Big wins-Miami, USF, Boise State, FIU
Tough loss's FSU, Syracuse LSU, Nevada

Florida Gulf Coast (72 Overall) (8-7) Record
Big wins- FIU, Houston
Tough loss's- Utah State, Boston College, Oral Roberts

East Tennessee State (74 Overall) 6-7 Record
Big wins-#15 Kentucky, FIU,
Tough loss's- Davidson, St Bonaventure, Georgetown

Stetson (68 Overall) 6-8 Record
Big win-none
Tough loss's- Butler, Arkansas State, #5 Arizona, Witchita State, Michigan James Madison

Gardner Webb (71 Overall) 5-6 Record
Big win- TCU, Georgetown, SMU,
Tough loss's-#24 Rhode Island, Tulsa, Maryland, Appalachian State

Campbell (70 Overall) 4-6 Record
Big win-Liberty
Tough loss's Coastal Carolina (twice)

Belmont (72 Overall) 4-6 Record
Big win-Marshall, Penn State
Tough loss's- #9 Tennessee, Bucknell, Seton Hall,

SC Upstate (67 Overall) 4-7 Record
Big win-High Point
Tough loss's-Saint Louis, Clemson, #7 UConn,

Jacksonville (73 Overall) 4-7 Record
Big win- San Diego,
Tough loss's Miss State #4 UNC, #15 Kentucky, Stanford

Kennesaw State (69 Overall) 4-8 Record
Big win- Xavier, Florida State
Tough loss's- Miami FL, Arkansas State, Marshall, Chicago State

Lipscomb (67 Overall) 2-9 Record
Big win- none
Tough loss's- Georgia, 39 Tennessee, UTEP, Arkansas State, George Washington, Miami FL, FSU,

[Deuce2223]

seems like you guys are shooting at a decent clip from 3 and that'll always help in the tournament

Yeah sometimes the problem is we can live and die by the 3.. Dupre and Ngounou are helping balance out the scoring.. Root and Thomas are my goto guy's the others (Thiero,Dye,Garza) are decent and can knock down a open shot but when I need some big shots to get me back in a game it's Root who I look for.

In this game in a closed legacy you can't edit ratings, or a players height/weight but you can edit what they look like and you can edit their shooting style (release) so Root and Thomas have a slight advantage because both actually came already with 2 of my favorites.

[Deuce2223]

UNC CONTINUES TO RELOAD

Roy Williams isn't settling after last year National Championship Run.. Coach ROY and UNC are hard at it again landing 5* All-American 6'8 SF Bennie Hanson (#1 Overall/#1/#1 SF) and 5* AA 6'3 PG Halston McCurry (#8 Overall/#5 PG) during the early signing period. Christie was this year's Mr BB from Rockford Illinois well McCurry NC's Mr BB born and raised in Raleigh.

UNC wasn't the only team to come away with a pair of 5* AA's during the early signing period as Villanova lands 6'4 SG Dreike Fearing (#14 Overall/#4 SG) and 6'4 SG Orlando Simms (#7 Overall/#2 SG, Mr BB NY). and Michigan State added 6'2 PG Brad Gomes (#9 Overall/#6 PG) and 6'5 SF Donnie Dalgarn (#15 Overall/#3 SF Mr BB MI).

2 of the most interesting signings during the early recruiting period had to be 5* AA 6'6 SF Aaron Jahnke (Virginia Mr BB, Ranked #11 Overall/#2 SF) turning down all the big schools to sign with William Mary and 5* AA 6'4 SG Adama Didlake (#18 Overall./#6 SG, Maryland Mr BB) signing with George Washington.

So far the highest rated player who has yet to sign is 5'11 PG Bennie Hanson (#4 Overall/#3 PG) however he has scholarship offers from Michigan State, UNC and Memphis.

[Deuce2223]

NORTH FLORIDA STILL CHASING!!

Coach Ryne Dezaron II entered the season with 6 scholarships available, 3 graduating Seniors including Walkon Edmund Bowen. With hopes of using at least 4 of those to secure a potential starting PG and SF next season as well as some added depth on the bench, so far R2 has struck out coming away with no signings during the early recruiting period well missing out on another key target 4* SG Erwin Bojang (#76 Overall/#23 SG) who signed with Florida State. Bojang who is from Coral Springs Florida led 3 in the Key last year in the ABL league with 17.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.3 APG 1.5 SPG and 1.2 BPG.

R2

"Erwin Bojang is the type of talent you build a program around.. He could've very well been the guy who could've lead us to multiple conference titles, multiple trips to the NCAA tournament and even a chance at making a deep run. He was a huge loss for us (Had him at 92%, when he signed with FSU)"

However Bojang isn't the only high profile/highly rated recruit Coach Dezaron is trying to bring to UNF next season. Sitting a-top his wish list is 4* PG Felix Bograkos (#96 Overall/#33 PG) from Hollywood Florida and 5* JC Transfer Elliah Wise a 6'7 PF from Honolulu Hawaii.

Bojrakos currently has UNF #4 at 68% but they are the only school offering. Miami is #1 on his list followed by FIU, FAU

Wise currently has no other scholarship offers, but currently only has UNF listed at #5 despite being the only school offering.. Washington, Texas, Texas Tech and Washignton State currently are ahead of UNF

Well Borakos and Wise are probably pipe dreams, R2 and UNF are pretty close into signing 3* PG Torry Carlson (#279 Overall/#92 PG).. Listed at 5'11 163lbs from Paterson NJ, Carlson has UNF at 71% Intersest and has zero scholarship offers from other programs.

[Deuce2223]

3 HORSE RACE FOR THE CROWN

The month of January proved that his year's A-Sun title is going to be 3 Horse (team) race for the A-Sun Crown

Belmont started the month playing .500 ball but won it's final 3 games to finish the month with a (7-4) record, well East Tennessee State started 4-1 but then lost 2 straight before rebounding with 2 more wins to finish the month with a (6-3) record. The final team in the hunt is North Florida.

UNF opened A-Sun play with a loss, but then picked up a pair of wins before loss #2 (ETSU) before closing out the month with the best record going (6-2) as they improve to (15-6) Overall.

Here is a brief recap of each game

vs Gardner Webb (Loss 84-72)
Gardner Webb jumped out to a commanding 51-28 lead in the 1st half. Despite outscoring the Bulldogs 44-33 in the 2nd half it was just to much to overcome. SR PG RJ Rand led GWU with 17 pts hitting 5/8 from 3PT, well UNF had 4 players in double digits in the loss led by Freshman Manny Dupree (14 pts ) and Freshman c. Ngounou (10 pts 9 reb).. D. Root also had 10 pts (2/3 3pt) well D. Carter led the bench with 11 pts and 5 reb.

vs Campbell (Won 86-68)
UNF led 43-37 at the break and matched it with another 43 points in the 2nd half JR SF Allan Ward the reigning A-Sun POY, 17.4 PPG/12.3 RPG) had 22 pts and 13 rebounds in the loss. UNF had 5 players in double digits. well Torris Dye had a solid all-around game with 6 pts 7 rebs 5 asts and 2 stls.

Z. Graves-17 pts 7 reb
M. Dupre14 pts 7 reb 4 blks
C. Ngounou-11 pts 7 reb
J. Thomas-11 pts 3/6 3PT
D Root 10 pts 2/5 3PT

vs SC Upstate (Won 76-65)
SC Upstate led at the half 43-38 but managed to score just 22 pts in the 2nd half as they finished 7/23 from 3PT. SO PG L. Bates was 1/10 from deep well SR SG Winsome Israel led the team with 14 pts hitting 4/7. It was another solid team effort for UNF as they had 4 players in double digits. led by their 2 Freshman "Bigs"

C. Ngounou-17 pts 5 reb
M. Dupre-13 pts 6 reb 4 blks
J. Thomas-13 pts 3/4 3PT
D. Carter-11 pts 6 reb

@ East Tennessee State (Loss 66-64
ETSU led 28-27 at the half and managed to pull off the 2 pt win scoring their final 6 points from the charity strip (17/24 FT). Cuffie led the team with 15 points but was just 2/10 from 3PT.

Zam Graves had a double double with 10 pts and 10 reb. Dupre (11 pts 9 reb 3 blks) and C. Ngounou (13 pts 6 reb) continue their strong play as well.

@ Florida Gulf Coast (Won 77-63)
UNF led 36-31 and extended it outscoring the Eagles by 9 in the 2nd half as FGCU finishes 5/19 from 3PT.
Zam Graves was POG coming off the bench with another double double scoring a season high 23 pts and grabbing 10 boards. D. Carter added 15 pts and 4 reb well T. Dye had 10 pts 7 reb and 4 asts.


@ Belmont (Won 81-64)
Belmont only trailed by 3 points at the half 38-35 but managed just 29 points in the 2nd half finishing 8/30 from deep. The UNF bench continues to dominate combining for 36 pts and 18 reb (Z. Graves-13 pts 7 reb 3 ast 2 stls 2 blks, D. Carter-13 pts 8 reb and C. Thiero 10 pts). M. Dupre had 15 pts and 9 reb to lead all scorers well T. Dye had a solid game with 10 pts 4 reb 6 asts and 3 steals.

vs LIpscomb (Won 81-76)
UNF led by just 1 at half 46-45 but T. Dye would knock down 4/4 from the FT to close out the game and Lipscomb's comeback bid.

Dye finished with a season/career high 16 pts well leading the team with 9 assists, but it was Zam Graves taking POG honors for the 3rd straight game as he scores a team high 22 points and grabs 7 reb.

vs Jacksonville (Won 79-78)
UNF hosted cross-town rival Jacksonville and jumped out to a early lead and extended it to 15 at the half (47-32).. Jacksonville however battled back outscoring the Osprey 46-32 as UNF struggled to hit from 3PT (2/16) well the Dolphins finish the night 10/25. Despite SR SG F. Barnes going 3/12 from 3PT, Barnes still managed to get 22 pts making 7/10 from the FT.

UNF had 4 players in double digits led by C. Ngounou 19 pts 8 reb, M. Dupre-14 pts 6 reb, Z. Graves--15 pts 9 reb 4 ast and D. Carter-10 pts 6 reb 3 ast.

[Deuce2223]

UNF CLINCHES A-SUN REGULAR SEASON TITLE!!!

With 4 games to play in the regular season, North Florida, East Tennessee and Belmont were all still in a deadlock battling for 1st place and the regular season crown. Belmont picked up wins over Mercer and Stetson to make it 3 straight improving to 10-4 in conference play but lost their final 2 games of the season including a rematch with Mercer to close out the year 10-6..

East Tennessee earned the season sweep over UNF with a 102-78 win but lost 3 of their last 5 games leaving them tied for 2nd place at 10-6 as well.

For UNF. The Osprey started the month just like they did in January with a loss to Mercer but on 6 of their last 7 games (the only loss coming to ETSU) as Coach Dezaron leads North Florida to a 21-8 record Overall and a 12-4 record in A-Sun play. Here is a recap of the final 8 games.

vs Mercer (Lost 82-81)

UNF led 41-36 at the half but UNF struggled to slow down JR PG Jessie Bates in the 2nd half. Bates came into the game averaging 21.1 PPG and he showed why as he scored the final 6 points of the game to finish as POG with 22 pts and 5 assists.

UNF had 5 players in double digits in the loss.
D. Carter 14 pts 8 reb
Z. Graves-13 pts 3 stls
M. Dupre-13 pts
C. Ngounou 12 pts 9 reb
T. Dye-12 pts 8 assists

@ Stetson (Won 73-72)
The Mad Hatters led 50-48 at the half as JR PG Ted Brinkley scores a bucket to give Stetson the lead at the buzzer. Brinkley would finish with 17 pts but UNF would score the final 6 points of the game to pull off the 1 point win.

Dye, Carter and Walkon SR E. Bowen each scored 11 points.. Bowen knocked down 3/3 from 3PT.. Dominic Root missed the game with a injury.

@ Kennesaw State (Won 78-51)
UNF led 42-33 at the half but the Owls scored just 18 points in the 2nd half as they finished the game 4/23 from 3PT.

UNF had 5 players in double digits including 3 bench players
D. Carter had 16 pts 6 reb
Z. Graves a double double with 15 pts 10 reb
C. Thiero had 10 pts and 4 reb
C. Ngounou had 12 pts 9 reb
T. Dye had 12 pts 6 reb 6 asts and 3 stls.

vs East Tennessee (Lost 102-78)
Trailed 55-40 at the half and never recovered The Buccaneers hit 7/18 from 3PT Leading scorer E. Cuffie had 24 pts with 4 reb 6 assists and 3 steals well SR SF Kelly Cannon (14.2 PPG) added 25 pts 8 reb and 4 stls off the bench.

Freshman Christano Ngounou scored a season/career high 26 pts and grabbed a team high 9 rebounds in the loss. Torris Dye added 16 pts 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

vs Florida Gulf Coast (Won 72-67)
Led 42-35 at the half finished 8/21 from 3PT well they shot 6/23 from 3PT. Graves was POG yet again scoring 19 pts and grabbing 6 rebounds off the bench. Dupre had 13 pts and 4 blks well Dye had 13 pts and 4 assists.

@ SC Upstate (Won 87-64)
Led 39-31 at the half .. Shot 7/13 from 3PT and shot 50 FT's but made just 36.

Joe Thomas (17 pts 4/4 3PT), C. Ngounou (17pts 10 reb) and C. Thiero (17 pts 2/3 3PT) lead the way in the win.

@ Campbell (Won 81-77)
Led 44-43 at the half.. Hit 7/19 from 3PT but managed to hit 20/24 from the FT line including the final 4 points the sealed the win.

Dramane Carter got POG honors off the bench with a double double of 17 pts 12 reb and 4 blks

JR SF Allan Ward had 23 pts and 10 rebounds in the loss for the Fighting Camels.

@ Gardner Webb (Won 94-85)
Led 46-45 at the half.. It was a offensive showdown. They hit 9/24 from 3PT but only 14/24 from the FT line. I went 9/20 and 19/29..

SR SR Jon Augustin had 23 pts 7 reb (3/4 3PT) in the loss.

Joe Thomas was named POG.. He started for D. Root who is still hurt and (played just 8 mins) Thomas finished with a team high 21pts hitting 4/4 from 3PT. Zam Graves added 18 pts and 9 reb off the bench well D. Carter added 11 pts and 9 reb.. Manny Dupre had 13 pts joining Thomas in double digits in the starting unit.

[Deuce2223]

UNF REPEATS AS TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!!

"R2" knew that his team would need to not only make a run in the A-Sun tourney but repeat as tournament champs if they had any chance at a tournament invite.. Despite a 21-8 finish UNF's RPI was #58 and they were 1-2 against teams with a RPI of 1-50, 2-1 against 51-100 and 6-4 against 101-200. 15 wins against teams with a RPI over 200 doesn't exactly scream worthy of a spot in the field of 65.

As the #1 seed UNF drew (15-16) FGCU who was looking to pull off the upset win and finish their year with a .500 record.

FGCU played a solid 1st half and actually led 36-34 as SR Center Dontrell Winter tried to carry the team with 12 1st half points but Winter would get into early foul trouble in the 2nd half and finish with just 17 points. With their bigman out of the game the Eagles turned to their outside game hitting 4/12 from deep finishing the game 7/18 on the night but it wasn’t enough as UNF pulled out the 79-70 victory. The Osprey had 5 players in double digits led by Dominic Root who had 16 pts and Dramane Carter who added a double double with 10 pts and 10 reb.

UNF advanced to play Stetson in Round 2 but the Mad Hatters were no match as UNF dominates the 1st half 48-31 on their way to a 82-64 victory. Again it was a total team effort as 5 players score in double digits including Dramane Carter who had back to back double doubles with 11 pts and 10 reb and Root who hit 4/6 from 3PT to finish with 12 pts

Mercer pulled off a 86-68 win over ETSU to advance to the Championship and a rematch with UNF. Mercer and UNF only met once during the regular season and the Bears came away with the 82-81 win but the Osprey got the win when it mattered most. UNF led 46-37 at the half and held off the Bears for a 85-78 victory.

JR PG Jessie Bates had 30 pts in the loss hitting 4/6 from 3PT. UNF was led by their pair of Freshman in the post.. Center Christano Ngounou had 19 pts and 11 reb. Manny Dupre had 17 pts and 8 reb andJC Transfer T. Dye had 10 assists.

Dramane Carter added 13 points off the bench and was named tournament MVP averaging almost a double double with 12 pts and 8.8 rebounds over the 3 games.