Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Around the state, men's basketball

By Compiled by JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 17, 2000

MIAMI

COACH: Perry Clark (first season; 185-145 overall).

1999-00 RECORD: 23-11, 13-3 in Big East Conference (tied for first).

LAST SEASON: Advanced to the first Sweet 16 berth in program history with a 75-62 win over Ohio State. Finished the season as the Big East regular season co-champs, the school's first conference title in 35 years, and ended the season ranked No. 23. Coach Leonard Hamilton bolted for the NBA's Washington Wizards; Tulane's Clark replaced him.

RETURNING STARTERS: Elton Tyler, F, 6-9 Sr. (10.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg.); John Salmons, G/F, 6-7 Jr. (9.4 ppg., 5.4 rpg.).

TOP RETURNEES/NEWCOMERS: Leroy Hurd, G/F, 6-7 So. (4.3 ppg., 2.1 rpg.); James Jones, F, 6-8 So. (3.9 ppg., 1.9 rpg.); Dwayne Wimbley, C, 6-9 Sr. (2.9 ppg., 3.9 rpg.); Paulo Coelho, G, 6-2 Jr. (2 ppg., 1.3 apg.); Michael Simmons, G, 6-0 So. (2.7 ppg, 2.2 apg.); Rodrigue Djahue, F, 6-7 Fr. (Miami Northwest Christian High); Reo Logan, F/C, 6-11 Fr. (Hillcrest High, Country Club Hills, Ill.); Darius Rice, F, 6-10 Fr. (Lanier High, Jackson, Miss.)

QUESTION MARKS: The pressure will be on Clark to keep Miami headed in the right direction. With eight lettermen and two starters back and one of the nation's top recruiting classes, Clark has plenty with which to work. Replacing the departed backcourt is the key in a schedule that includes 10 post-season teams.

INFORMATION: Call (800) 462-2637.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

COACH: Kirk Speraw (100-102, eighth season; 163-83 overall).

1999-2000: 14-18, 10-8 Trans America Athletic Conference (second place).

LAST SEASON: UCF trailed Samford by a point with 2:51 left in the TAAC championship game, but its season ended in a 78-69 loss that took the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament from the hobbled Knights' grasp. UCF overcame an 0-6 and 1-9 start but was hampered by injuries all season.

RETURNING STARTERS: Jason Thornton, G, 6-5 Jr. (12.7 ppg., 3.1 rpg.); Al Miller, G, 6-0 So. (5.3 ppg., 2.5 rpg.); Paul Reed, F, 6-8 Jr. (11.4 ppg., 6.5 rpg.)

TOP RETURNEES/NEWCOMERS: Mario Lovett, F, 6-7 Sr. (2 ppg.); Beronti Simms, F, 6-7 Jr. (Chicago); Josh Bodden, F, 6-9 Fr. (Dunedin High); Evandro Moretti, C, 6-10 Jr. (Arizona Western CC); Joey Graham, G, 6-5 Fr. (Brandon High); Stevie Graham, G, 6-5 Fr. (Brandon High); Kevin Lee, G, 6-0 Fr. (Notre Dame Prep, Mich.)

OUTLOOK: The Golden Knights must stay healthy to make a run at the TAAC title. The schedule provides early road tests against Georgetown, Miami and South Florida. With four seniors missing, leadership will be the key to challenging Georgia State and Samford in the conference.

INFORMATION: Call (407) 823-4653.

FLORIDA A&M

COACH: Mickey Clayton (40-83, fourth season; 239-221 overall.)

1999-00: 9-22, 6-10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (ninth place).

LAST SEASON: It was a rough campaign for the Rattlers, who at one point dropped nine consecutive games from December to January and slid to the bottom of the MEAC standings.

RETURNING STARTERS: DeMarkis Wilkins, G, 5-10 Fr. (Newhan, Ga.); Kendric Green, G/F, 6-6 Jr. (7.4 ppg., 2.9 rpg.); Abdelkhadre Cisse, C, 6-9 So. (4 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); Morris Scott, G, 6-0 Sr. (8.7 ppg., 86 steals).

TOP RETURNEES/NEWCOMERS: Michael Kuhn, G, 6-4 Fr. (Sebring); Nicholas Ross, G, 6-2 So. (Chicago); Sonny Tudeme, F, 6-6 Jr. (Bronx, N.Y.); Andre Robinson, F, 6-5 Fr. (Rockledge); Jason Miles, G, 6-3 Fr. (Tallahassee).

OUTLOOK: Clayton hopes he has the athletes to run an up-tempo, high-scoring offense and pressure defense. Scott finished last season fifth in steals and again should lead the Rattlers defense. They should improve on last season's disappointing record.

INFORMATION: Call (850) 599-3230.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN

COACH: Horace Broadnax (26-57, third season).

1999-00: 14-15, 12-6 MEAC (fourth place).

LAST SEASON: Picked to finish fifth in the preseason, B-CC surprised the MEAC with a terrific February, setting a record for regular-season wins with 14 and earning Broadnax his second straight MEAC coach of the year honor.

RETURNING STARTERS: Derricus Lockwood, F, 6-6 Sr. (7.9 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 28 steals); Brent King, F, 6-5 Jr. (3.4 ppg., 1.8 rpg.)

TOP RETURNEES/NEWCOMERS: Bryan Sanders, F, 6-6 Jr. (1.5 ppg., 1.3 rpg.); Brian Cox, G, 6-1 Jr. (1.9 ppg., 1.1 rpg.); Tyree Harris, G, 6-1 Jr. (Alexandria, Va.); Moses Cage, G, 5-10 Jr. (New Orleans); Dwight Lauder, G, 6-0, Fr. (Toronto); Diondre Larmond, F, 6-5 Fr. (Miami); Jerry Daniels, F/C, 6-9 So. (Hallandale); Jesse Daniels, F/C, 6-8 So. (Hallandale); Jerome Nicholson, C, 6-8 Fr. (Titusville.)

OUTLOOK: Three starters and four seniors are gone, leaving Broadnax with another tough challenge if he is to take this team to the top of the MEAC. Lockwood will need his offensive production to match his defensive numbers, but until his new players adjust to their roles, the MEAC title will be out of reach.

INFORMATION: Call (904) 255-1401, ext. 225.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright