Colleges notebook: Unbeaten NSU men’s basketball team ranked No. 1 in the nation
Between NCAA divisions I, II and III and NAIA and junior colleges, there are roughly 1,769 men’s basketball teams in college basketball.
Of all those programs, only two are still undefeated – Nova Southeastern University, 23-0 in NCAA Division II; and College of Southern Idaho, 26-0 in junior-college ball.
The NSU Sharks have become one of the best stories in local sports ever since coach Jim Crutchfield was hired in March of 2017. He took over a 6-20 team, transforming it into a consistent national power.
All this season, NSU had been ranked second in the nation. However, the Sharks moved up to No. 1 on Tuesday afternoon when the newest poll was released.
That’s because top-ranked Indiana (Pa.) lost 62-49 to Mercyhurst last week.
Although Crutchfield clearly has his eyes on what would be the first national title in program history, he did say: “It’s great that we’ve worked our way back to No. 1.”
Indeed, NSU finished its 2021-2022 regular season undefeated at 25-0 and ranked No. 1. That team finished 31-1, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight before getting upset by eighth-seeded Black Hills State, 77-67.
Since then, NSU graduated three starters: Nick Smith, Sekou Sylla and Eddie Puisis, who combined to average 49.7 points per game. Smith, by the way, is now an NSU graduate-assistant coach.
Last month, the Sharks lost a key reserve in guard Mike Moore, who had foot surgery and will need 10 months to recover. In the game before he got hurt, he scored 26 points.
“He was playing incredibly well,” Crutchfield said. “Our guys are heartbroken for Mike. But Mike is still part of our team.”
RJ Sunahara, a 6-8 forward, leads NSU in scoring (20.0) and is tied with Jonathan Pierre in rebounds (5.1). Kobe Rodgers is coming off a seven-steal game, and he leads the Sharks with 2.6 thefts per contest.
Aside from Sunahara, the Sharks have four more double-figure scorers: Will Yoakum (17.8), Pierre (15.1), Rodgers (13.3) and Dallas Graziani (10.1).
The Sharks are a phenomenal 3-point shooting team, converting on 40.9 percent. Yoakum (48. percent), Sunahara (48.6) and Pierre (48.4) all shoot at a high clip.
NSU has four regular-season games remaining. The Sharks will then host the Sunshine State Conference postseason tournament and, likely, an NCAA regional.
Crutchfield’s main concern as the Sharks gear up for the playoffs is the health of his roster. But he said his players are serious-minded.
“They understand this (chase for a national title) is a once-in-a-lifetime-type thing,” Crutchfield said. “They realize they have the rest of their lives to stay up late and have fun.
“Our guys are focused on nutrition and rest. They are with our trainers to treat injuries before they become serious.
“I’ve also never had a team that shows up every day for practice smiling and with enthusiasm. I was thinking I’d have to think of ways for them not to be flat. But they keep me from being flat.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU’s Ashton Lansdell, featured in The Herald recently for her amazing transition from baseball, started her softball career with a literal bang last Thursday.
Lansdell had never played an official softball game until Thursday’s 10-1 loss to 10th-ranked Clemson. After grounding out in her first at-bat, Lansdell smashed a 1-0 outside fastball, sending a low line drive over the fence in right-center field.
“I hit it on the money, and the ball flew off my bat,” said Lansdell, a righty-hitting shortstop. “It was amazing being that it was my first game. Dinger – hell yeah!”
▪ FIU’s men’s basketball team (13-13 overall, 7-8 Conference USA) is being led by Denver Jones, who is second in the league in scoring (19.9). In addition, Arturo Dean needs one more steal to break Carlos Arroyo’s 1997-98 program record for most thefts by a freshman (66). Dean ended last week ranked fifth nationally in steals per game (2.6).
