BASKETBALL SPECIAL ISSUE
UPRESSONLINE.COM NOVEMBER 15, 2011 VOL. 13 ISSUE 13
University PRESS FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY’S FINEST NEWS SOURCE
GANTT CAN’T? SAYS WHO?
HOW JUNIOR GUARD GREG GANTT HAS OVERCOME A LIFETIME OF OBSTACLES TO REACH THE TOP
BY RYAN CORTES First issue is free; each additional copy is 50 cents and available in the UP newsroom.
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niversity University PRESS
November 15, 2011 October , 2011 www.upressonline.com www.upressonline.com
SPECIAL ISSUE EDITOR:
Ryan Cortes
SPECIAL ISSUE DESIGNER:
Elena Medina
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gideon Grudo MANAGING EDITOR Mariam Aldhahi ART DIRECTOR Phaedra Blaize WEB EDITOR Tyler Krome BUSINESS MANAGER Michae Henry COPY DESK CHIEF Rachel Chapnick NEWS EDITORS Brandon Ballenger Chris Persaud CRIME EDITOR Monica Ruiz FEATURES EDITOR Carolina Fernandez SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Cortes PHOTO EDITOR Charles Pratt SENIOR EDITORS Ricky Michalski Mark Gibson LISTINGS EDITOR Kaceion Hudson CIRCULATION MANAGER Joey Krumm ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Xin Zhang ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR Andrew Alvino ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR Michelle Ferrand SENIOR REPORTERS Karla Bowsher Sergio Candido SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Christine Capozziello REPORTERS Zack Duarte Jordan Robrish STAFF DESIGNER Elena Medina COPY EDITORS Michael Chandeck Jessica Cohn-Klienberg CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Fiol, Amy Ishoy, Rolando Rosa, Woody Othello
COVER Photo By Charles Pratt
ADVISERS Michael Koretzky Dan Sweeney
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TOP that
A fter its most productive season ever , FAU men ’ s basketball gets even better
By Ryan Cortes
H
igh up in FAU’s basketball arena, above the slick hardwood courts and the soft white nets hangs a banner. It’s large and blue with red trim on the edges. And it doesn’t say much, because it doesn’t need to. “Sun Belt Regular Season Champions 2011,” it reads. That means the basketball team is the best FAU’s ever had, having gone 21-11 and winning the conference. The players got gold rings. The team had a game shown on ESPN2 for the first time ever. Fans started showing up. It’s just an appetizer, though. This year it gets better. After this season ends, last year’s banner gets pushed to the side. Room will have to be made for the next banner. The one celebrating a trip to the NCAA tournament. A big banner. No one’s going to remember last year’s team. Not after this year’s becomes the first one in program history to play in the NCAA tournament.
You’d be excused for asking how this year’s team could top last year’s, given that Brett Royster (two-time conference defensive player of the year) is gone. But you’d only ask that if you forgot who coaches this team. Swaggering 66-year-old Mike Jarvis is so confident he refused to hide his optimism when his Owls were picked to repeat as Sun Belt Conference champions this year. “Over the years, any team that I have coached that has been expected to win, has done that,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. That attitude (and that resumé) make losing Royster not matter. Even still, Jarvis has brought in a group of freshmen that plan on helping you forget. There’s Omari Grier, whom Jarvis thinks is already his team’s best 3-point shooter (even with Greg Gantt still around), and there’s Kelvin Penn, who’s 6’6” — with a 7-foot wingspan. There’s also a 7’ behemoth named Dragan. Jarvis lured Dragan Sekelja, a transfer from Baylor University, even though he’s not eligible to play until 2012. And then there’s Jelani Floyd who came here because of Jarvis. (pg. 8) “It’s not just about basketball with him,” Floyd told the UP. “He’s raising us to be men. I want to have a life-long relationship with him even after basketball because he’s such a
good person and a family guy.” Add it all up and this year’s team is a faster, more dangerous group than the one who ran all over the Sun Belt Conference last year. The team’s stars are also a year older and a year more experienced. Greg Gantt (pg. 13) spent so much time alone in the gym this summer, with nothing but his thoughts and a single basketball, that FAU police know him personally — in a good way. It’ll help, too, that FAU fans are desperate for a winner after opening up a sparkling new football stadium with losses and fumbles. All the eyes get to be on FAU men’s basketball now. The schedule features games against perennial tournament teams, like George Mason and Kansas, as well as games against in-state rivals, like Miami and South Florida. Intrigue and buzz surround this year’s team. There’s real hope. And it’s warranted. During Midnight Madness a few weeks ago, Jarvis took to the microphone and spoke to you, the fans. “We need all of you to come out and fill this place up,” he said that night. “Because you’re going to witness the most exciting style of basketball you’ve ever seen. I promise.” He’s serious. There’s space for another banner — a bigger one.
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MEET THE TEAM
JORDAN MCCOY Forward
First dunk: “It was in an AAU game. I stole the ball and was on the fast break. I threw it down with two hands. I was hyped up.” First basketball player to inspire you: “That’s a tough one, but I’ll go with Kobe Bryant. I love his competitive nature and approach to the game.“
With the regular season set to open at the Burrow on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. against George Mason, the UP introduces you to the entire squad
By Rolando Rosa
RAY TAYLOR
DENNIS MAVIN
First CD: “The first artist’s CD I remember having was a Bow Wow one when I was little.”
First dunk: “It was in 9th grade. I always practiced during warm ups but I didn’t think I could do it in the game. But during this game, at home, I was on the fast break and actually slammed it home.”
Guard
Guard
First pair of sneakers: “White Jordan 5s, had them before I could walk. My mom still has them for somewhere for me.”
First person you turn to for advice: “Usually either my oldest brother or Greg Gantt“
ALEX TUCKER
SHAVAR RICHARDSON
Guard
First dunk: “8th grade. It was an accident. One of my teammates threw the ball at the rim and I just went up and dunked it, my whole team was shocked because I’m not that tall.”
Guard
First dunk: “I was 16. It was an accomplishment. I’d been trying for years.” First thing a person can do to annoy/irritate you: “I don’t like people that always whine.”
First pair of sneakers: “I was really spoiled. One of my first pairs was a pair of Jordan 11s.”
Junior forward Jordan McCoy averaged 5.3 points per game last year on 59% shooting. Photos courtesy of FAU Athletics
CONTINUED ON PG. 8 6
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Continued From pg. 6
Kore White Forward
First thing people wouldn’t expect to know about you: “That I’m wise, because I can be real funny and goofy, but I have a serious side when I want to send a message. A sports psychologist actually told me that.” First CD: “Bob Marley. My parents were always into him, but I didn’t appreciate his work until I left the house.”
Andre Mattison
Forward
First dunk: “It was in high school, it was amazing. I almost got a tech because I hung on the rim.” First thing that people wouldn’t expect to know about you: “That I’m a very good student. I was in the Honor’s Society in high school and I have a 3.0 [GPA] here.”
Kelvin Penn
Forward First passion outside of basketball: “Playing music. I’ve been playing the saxophone since 6th grade and in two years I’ve taught myself to play the piano.” First thing you remember about childhood: “Getting spanked. You could say it traumatized me and kept me on path.”
Redshirt junior Kore White finished last season averaging 8.2 points per game on 48% shooting. Photos courtesy of FAU Athletics
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Omari Grier
Guard
First reason you decided to come to FAU: “Coach Jarvis made me feel welcome and comfortable. He’s a great coach.” First person you turn to for advice: “My dad. He’s a huge part of my life and I always turn to him when I’m in trouble or in need.”
Jelani Floyd
Forward First passion outside of basketball: “Reading. Just trying to stay up to date on world news and affairs. I read the Wall Street Journal everyday for financial advice.” First thing people wouldn’t expect to know about you: “I was in the movie Hoodlum, starring Lawrence Fishburne and Vanessa Williams, as a child extra. I was eight years old at the time and it meant a lot to me. Vanessa Williams kissed me on the cheek and told me how cute I was.”
pablo bertone
Guard
First concert that you really enjoyed: “The Rolling Stones in 2007, when they came to Argentina.” First passion outside of basketball: “I’m big into music. I play the guitar.”
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JANUARY
NOVEMBER 16 19 22 26 30
@ american
washington, d.c.
7:30
pm
george mason
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
@ hofstra
hempstead, ny
7:00
pm
@ usf
tampa, fl
7:00
pm
@ kansas
lawrence, ks
8:00
pm
5 7 9 14 19 21 26
DECEMBER 10 13 17 22 28 31
7:00
pm
@ mississippi state starkville, ms
9:00
pm
@ miami
sunrise, fl
12:00
@ harvard
cambridge, ma
7:00
pm
siena
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
5:15
pm
@ loisiana-lafayette * lafayette, la
pm
2011-12 S chedule
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boca raton, fl
@ arkansas-little rock * little rock, ar jonesboro, ar
@ arkansas state *
middle tennessee state * boca raton, fl troy, al
@ troy *
@ florida international * miami, fl boca raton, fl
western kentucky *
7:00
pm
8:00
pm
8:05
pm
7:00
pm
8:30
pm
2:00
pm
7:00
pm
FEBRUARY
boca raton, fl
warner southern
louisiana-monroe *
2 4 9 11 16 18 23 25
@ south alabama *
mobile, al
8:05
pm
florida international *
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
denver *
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
north texas *
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
@ western kentucky *
bowling green, ky
8:00
pm
@ middle tennessee state * murfreesboro, tn
TBA
south alabama *
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
troy *
boca raton, fl
7:00
pm
MARCH 3 4 5
sun belt tournament
hot springs, ar
TBA
sun belt tournament
hot springs, ar
TBA
sun belt tournament
hot springs, ar
TBA
*
denotes a conference game
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KNOCK
DOWN J unior shooting guard G reg G antt wasn ’ t always on top B y R yan C ortes
T
his past July, assistant coach Peter Gash’s phone buzzes at 1 a.m. He’s in Kentucky, recruiting for the basketball team during its off-season. Greg Gantt, the shooting guard, has texted him: “Coach, I need to talk to you.” A nervous Gash calls back immediately. “Do you have the number for the [FAU] police?” Gantt asks him. “I want to get in to the gym and take shots.” “I’m sitting there going, ‘It’s mid-July and Greg Gantt wants to get in the gym at 1 a.m. to take shots?’” Gash begins recalling. “A lot of basketball programs, when you get a call from a player at 1:00 in the morning, it’s something bad.” A relieved Gash hangs up with the leading scorer on the team for the past two years and makes another call. He dials FAU police and has one thing to say. “Greg Gantt’s outside,” the coach says, before hanging up. For the next two hours, Gantt shoots a basketball alone.
Photos by Charles Pratt
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For the last two years, no player has scored more points on FAU’s basketball team. Only four in the history of the program — a program Gantt’s only been a part of three seasons and that started in 1988 — have hit more than his 143 3-pointers. He’s known for standing on the scorer’s table after games and dancing deliriously. But Gantt does more than just smile and shimmy at success. He takes on challenges — something he’s done his entire life. His mother remembers his first game ever. An eight-year-old Gantt took off toward an empty basket and scored the first points of the game. For the other team. His dad would later hold a broom vertically in front of his face whenever his son would shoot. It forced him to have arc on his shot. The result? In 2010 he broke the FAU record for 3-pointers by a freshman.
“I was only supposed to live seven days,” he recalled. “And if I did live past that, then I would be handicapped.” 14
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Gantt has a deep bond not just with his dad, but his entire family. His mother and grandmother attend nearly every home game, and he even calls dad his best friend. This season, in fact, he has dedicated to his dad’s brother, James Gantt. Jr. The junior shooting guard’s uncle passed away weeks ago at the age of 51. “He was like a second father to Greg,” Gantt’s mother said. “They spent so much time together.” “Greg was very hurt by his passing,” said Gantt’s girlfriend of nearly eight months, Brittney Nash, a sophomore communications major. “He thinks about him everyday and misses him.” “I know this about Greg,” said Ken LaVicka, the radio voice for FAU basketball. “If he’s going to dedicate a season to a family member, he’s going to make good on making the season the most worthwhile he can.” When he was born, though, doctors predicted that Gantt wouldn’t be able to play basketball right now. Scheduled to be born in January of 1992, he was born two months premature on Nov. 12, 1991. “I was only supposed to live seven days,” Gantt recalled. “And if I did live past that, then I would be handicapped.” As a child, he was forever placed in disability classes. People around him believed something was wrong. Instead, the doctors were wrong. Gantt took reading comprehension classes and skipped
kindergarten. He A’s and high scho “I’m still not in smiling. He remained most players — t craft with teamm Nash admitted when Gantt feels “We had plann it was at midnig decided that he n “He’s not even ever coached,” sai he by far works th **** It’s the middle coach Mike Jarvis “If I can’t trus program,” he tells pushups and you d That goes for all of Gantt listens res he hits another ope Minutes later, J Gantt. “Greg, there’s a r tells him in front calling you that u
e left middle school with straightool with a 3.9 GPA. n any handicapped classes,” he said
in Boca this summer — unlike taking classes and working on his mate Dennis Mavin. d even she gets left behind at times an urge to work. ned to hang out one night, and ght,” she said. “Then he suddenly needed to work on his shot.” close to the most talented kid I’ve id assistant coach Peter Gash. “But he hardest.”
of another long practice and head is yelling. st you, you have no place in this his team. “If we tell you to do 25 do 15? Kick your ass out of practice. f you.” spectfully before practice resumes and en three-pointer. Jarvis is yelling again. This time at
reason you’re a lousy defender,” Jarvis of everyone. “And I’m going to keep until you become a great defender.
Because anything less than great, is lousy.” Gantt’s facial expression doesn’t change. Whether the criticism is true or not, fair or not, it doesn’t bother him. **** Often this past summer, Gantt would be in the gym practicing with assistant coach, Peter Gash, and teammate, Dennis Mavin. The practice had both players pitted against one another. Standing at the 3-point line, the players would take two steps to the left and shoot a three. Two steps to the right and shoot. Two steps forward, another shot. The drill required the two players to make ten 3-point shots each, no matter how long it took. After the tenth make, the players were asked to “burn out” and shoot until they missed. It was just another drill, like the hundreds Gantt and Mavin do daily. Until the one time Gantt turned the exercise upside down. Shirtless and covered in sweat, Gantt took his turn at the top of the 3-point line. And he couldn’t miss. “[Gash] said I made 18 three’s in a row,” he said. “I was feeling it. It was crazy. I would just shoot and look the other way.” **** “Greg Gantt’s one of the most emotional people I’ve ever been around,” says assistant coach Peter Gash. “By
far, the most emotional kid on this team. If someone hits a shot to win a game, he’s pounding his chest. If someone hits a three to win a game, he’s dancing. If we lose a game, he’s crying.” Last year: After losing to George Mason 66-51, the third straight loss for the team, Gantt approachs Gash and the two walk towards the team bus. “This isn’t going to happen again,” Gantt says flatly. The Owls go on to win 15 of their next 18 games, before winning the regular season conference title. **** Gantt’s high school career has paralleled his college one so closely, it makes him stop and wonder. “Sometimes I get deja vu,” Gantt said. Freshman year in high school? Gantt’s season ended on a last second play. A big man on his team missed the game winning layup with seconds remaining. “I remember I fell to the floor crying,” Gantt said. Freshman year in college? Gantt’s season ended on a last second play, as big man Brett Royster botched a game winning layup against South Alabama in the conference tournament. Sophomore year in high school? Gantt’s team won districts. The team was expected to go to the state finals, but fell short. Sophomore year in college? Gantt’s team won its conference. It was expected to go to the NCAA tournament (favored to go, actually), but fell short. Junior year in high school? Gantt’s team finally
made state finals. Junior year in college? “Hopefully,” Gantt said, putting two and two together, “this year is the NCAA Tournament.” He played his high school ball in Gainesville. The path, he said, was always to go to UF. The team never showed real, tangible interest in him, though. They’d send a scout, occasionally, to watch Gantt play, but it wasn’t the level of recruitment he wanted and felt he deserved. So instead he bought stock into Mike Jarvis’ vision in Boca. And the only one to regret it? UF’s coaches. “One of my old high school coaches told me after we played [UF], they told him it was a mistake letting me leave Gainesville,” Gantt said. “But I’m blessed to be here at this program, because Coach Jarvis believed in me first.” **** Late last year, following a crippling 78-64 loss to North Texas that ends FAU’s March Madness hopes, Gantt and his friend and teammate Dennis Mavin retire to their hotel room. The two sit on their beds and say nothing for two hours. Finally, Gantt speaks up. “From this point on, there’s no more failure,” Gantt tells him. “Me and you aren’t going home this summer. We’re gonna stay, and we’re gonna grind and work ‘cause I don’t want to feel this feeling anymore.”
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“It just broke me down,” gantt said. “He was like my second father.”
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It’s Greg Gantt’s most important year ever, the season FAU is expected to not just defend its Sun Belt Conference title, but maybe even make the NCAA tournament. Gantt’s dedicating all of it to someone special: His 51-year-old uncle. This past summer, while Gantt was busy lifting weights and shooting 3’s, he got bad news. His uncle was in a coma and rushed to the hospital. He couldn’t walk on his own. Couldn’t speak. The only thing keeping him alive was a breathing machine. “It just broke me down,” he said. “He was like my second father.” Gantt’s mother told him his uncle’s time was near. He should go see him soon, she advised. He wouldn’t have much time left to do so. “The last time I saw him was on a Monday and he died that Thursday,” Gantt said. “I told him I’m going to dedicate this season to him. I told him how much I’ve grown up. And not knowing if he could understand me or hear me, but I was praying he could.” “I told him everything’s going to be OK, and then he shook his head,” Gantt recalled. “I told him I loved him and he shook his head.” The first regular season home game for FAU men’s basketball is Saturday, Nov.19 against George Mason at 7 p.m.
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THE
Musician
NEW faces THE
Photos courtesy of Stuart Browning
W ith
four
new
players
set to join the team , the
UP
introduces you to the
newcomers By Zack Duarte
Each year college basketball teams face the challenge of losing some veteran players and adding new faces into the mix. For the Owls, the quest for a second Sun Belt Conference Championship this season will include adding a mixture of new players — a transfer from Baylor University, a graduate student, a screenwriter and a saxophonist. While the FAU men’s basketball team shares a common goal of earning a trip to the annual NCAA tournament in March, the different pieces that make up the team are anything but common.
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Kelvin Penn, a Washington native, is a master of the saxophone. “I’ve been playing the saxophone since the sixth grade,” he said.“I can play the guitar too and I taught myself the piano two years ago.” Penn played high school basketball in Washington, where he was a two-time league MVP, before going to Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia. At Massanutten, Penn averaged a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) per game. “My post game is solid I am just working on my shooting game now,” said Penn. “I hope to graduate with a business degree, but for now I am enjoying the ride that basketball takes me on.” Penn also credits coach Jarvis with his decision to come to FAU. “When I spoke to him he let it be known that there would be expectations for the basketball program,” said Penn. “There were offers on the table from schools like UAB and the University of Ohio, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to play with a winning team and a well respected coach.”
brains
For Omari Grier, playing basketball and writing a movie are relative to each other. “I control what happens in both,” he said. Grier, a 6’4” shooting guard, averaged over 20 points per game as a senior in high school. But shooting a basketball isn’t his only hobby. Grier also has two full screenplays to his credit. “I really enjoy how films are made,” Grier said. “I don’t have a lot of time now because of basketball, but my best friend and I write comedies together. I have two of my own.” Grier’s best attribute is his shooting. According to the Delaware Times, Grier is at his best in catch-and-shootopportunities, but can also be a slasher, and score points in the paint. “I’m not selfish but my best ability on the court is my shooting,” said Grier. “When I’m out on the court I try not to think to much and if I’m open I take the shot.” Grier credited coach Mike Jarvis as the reason he chose FAU.
CENTER
STAGE Dragan Sekelja is hard to miss. Standing seven feet tall, he will be charged with the task of being FAU’s big man on the court. The problem: He is ineligible to play for the 2011-12 season. Sekelja, a 20-year old junior, transferred from Baylor after appearing in only 23 games in two seasons. Under the NCAA transfer policy, he will sit out the season and prepare for the 2012-13 season. “I look at it as a year to get better. It’s going to be beneficial,” said Sekelja. “It would be nice to play, but at the same time I’m going to get better for next year.” Born in Bosnia but raised in Croatia, Sekelja has plenty of experience under his belt. He played for the U16 (under 16) and U17 (under 17) Croatia National teams, and played in the 2007 European Championships in Greece. In 2008-09, Sekelja played professional basketball in Croatia, averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds a game. “The experience I’ve had helps me with some of the material Coach Jarvis teaches,” said Sekelja. “It also is beneficial since some of the younger guys haven’t played as much.” For Sekelja, an aspiring NBA player, the year off will provide a chance for him to get acquainted with Mike Jarvis’ system and to become a big impact for the team in the 2012-13 season. For now, Sekelja understands his role. “I am here to learn and help this team repeat as Sun Belt Conference champs.”
WRITING his own
SCRIPT
It’s not often that graduate students are student athletes. For Jelani Floyd, however, the task is manageable. “I love basketball but I also love reading the Wall Street Journal,” said Floyd. “When I’m icing a leg after practice I just pick it up and read the latest news on stocks and business deals.” Floyd, who played his undergraduate basketball at UC-Davis, is pursuing his Masters degree in non-profit management and trying to help the Owls win back-to-back conference championships. “I’ve never won any conference championships and I don’t have any rings,” said Floyd, referring to last year’s Owls team. “But I’m here now to help this team win and continue a tradition of winning basketball at FAU.” Floyd stands at 6’8”, though it wasn’t always that way. “As a freshman in high school I was 5’8” and played point guard, but at the start of my college career I was 6’6”, so I’ve played almost everywhere on the court,” he said. “I’m a versatile player and I’m ready to win.” N ovember 15, 2011
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The Law Office of
Douglas J. Rudman, P.A. FAU’s Hometown Criminal Defense Attorney
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If head coach Mike Jarvis leads the Owls to the NCAA tournament this season, he will become the ninth head coach ever to take four different schools to March Madness. Photo by Amy Ishoy By Zack Duarte
Guards Greg Gantt and Alex Tucker over 20 hours a week practicing.
spend
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GRIND
For some, “practice makes perfect” is a quote to live by. But for FAU basketball players, simply practicing isn’t enough. “All sorts of things go into being a collegiate basketball player,” said returning starter Greg Gantt. “It’s not only about the hours you put in the gym but the time away from the court that matters as well.” For Gantt, a junior who has led the team in scoring the past two seasons, the mental aspects of basketball are just as important as the physical aspects of the game. On gamedays, Gantt watches YouTube highlights of NBA players to get himself mentally prepared before taking the court. “Sometimes you spend three to five hours in the gym,” said Ganntt. “But before a game, to get myself mentally prepared and motivated to do my best I watch some of the best professional basketball players in the world on YouTube. Ray Allen is one of my favorites to watch.” Gantt doesn’t just need YouTube videos, however. Besides watching his favorite athletes, Gantt admits that getting ready to play a game involves a variety of different mental motivators. “Every game is different,” he said. “Sometimes I need to pray to get in the right mindset, sometimes I need my music to push me to where I need to be.” For senior guard Alex Tucker, things are a little different. Tucker, who received the team’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season, compares basketball to a full time job. “There’s about 20 hours a week put on the practice court with the team,” said Tucker. “But then even
more time [is] spent getting yourself prepared for the games. Just relying on the time spent at team practices won’t push anyone to the next level to succeed.” Tucker spends time with his roommate, a team manager, taking hundreds of extra shots once the team is done practicing. Strength and conditioning also take up more of the players’ time away from the basketball court. And of course, so do classes. “It’s hard to have a social life because first comes basketball and school,” said Tucker. “Those two take up most of my time so, besides hanging out with my friends on the team, it’s difficult to find time elsewhere to spend during basketball season.” Both Gantt and Tucker admit the relentless effort in practice and the hours sacrificed off the court are well worth the end result. “I feel accomplished,” said Tucker. “For me, this year, I’m taking a strictly business approach to the game. I know at the end of the day that I’m not just sitting on my butt, but I’m working out everyday. I get my schoolwork done also, and I am staying in shape so I feel really accomplished at the end of the day.” “Everything I do pays off in the end,” said Gantt. “Even something as small a few extra shots has its benefits. I take nothing for granted. Nothing.” The countless hours spent in the gym and even more off the practice court pay dividends only with perfection on the court. “The Sun Belt Championships is proof of the work we put in,” said Tucker. “We’re striving for more this season.” N ovember 15, 2011
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The UP has open positions for writers, photographers, graphic designers, copy editors and more. Come meet the staff, get involved and join our team! Paying positions available.
Get published, create portfolio clips and gain professional, real world experience.
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MEN’S basketball preview
WHO: GEORGE MASON WHERE: THE BURROW WHEN: SAT. NOV. 19 RADIO: 760 AM TIME: 7 P.M.
ALL-TIME SERIES: GEORGE MASON 1 FAU 0
PREDICTION: FLORIDA ATLANTIC
GEORGE MASON
80 65
By Rolando Rosa
The Owls made history last season, winning their first Sun Belt Conference regular season title (13-3 conference record) and advancing to the NIT Tournament as a result. With junior guards Greg Gantt and Ray Taylor returning to form the back court this year, a trip to the NCAA Tournament may be within reach for FAU. On Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., the FAU men’s basketball team opens the regular season at home against George Mason. Besides the departure of senior forward Brett Royster, Coach Jarvis’ lineup remains intact from last season, bringing back five of its top six scorers. Shooting guard Greg Gantt led the team in scoring with 14 ppg on 56% shooting. Point guard Ray Taylor averaged 11.6 ppg, to go along with a team high 1.5 steals per game. The strength of the Owls appears to be its guard play. In addition to Gantt and Tucker, the back court will be aided by depth off the bench, provided by senior guards Alex Tucker and Shavar Richardson. Tucker led the Owls in assists last year, dishing out 136 in total, for an average of 4.3 per game. Richardson was the best free throw shooter for FAU, connecting on 88% of his attempts from the stripe. The Owls thrived at home last season, amassing a 10-2 record at the Burrow. To begin the season with a win, though, FAU will need to play solid defense against a George Mason squad that led the CAA conference in points per game (72.8) and field goal percentage (47.1%). Without Royster, the tandem of Kore White and Jordan McCoy will need to provide ample defensive resistance down low. White, a 6’8” 245 pound power forward who averaged five rebounds per game last season, will be counted on to grab more boards in the absence of Royster. McCoy, a 6’6” 185 pound forward who played just under 19 minutes per game last season, will need to make the most of his slender frame in the additional game time he now will receive. Jim Larranaga, George Mason’s coach for the last 14 seasons, departed in April to become the new head coach at the University of Miami. Paul Hewitt, his replacement at George Mason, inherits a squad that made it to the Sweet 16 last season (27-7 overall record), but will have only one of its top four scorers from last year in action versus FAU. Point guard Andre Cornelius is currently suspended, shooting guard Cam Long graduated, and small forward Luke Hancock transferred to Louisville, leaving forward Ryan Pearson (14.2 ppg last season) as the team’s main scoring option. Since this will be George Mason’s first road game under Coach Hewitt, instant cohesion amongst the Patriots may be too much to expect so soon, especially against an Owls team with a seasoned and potent offense. FAU, led by strong performances from Gantt and Tucker, will prevail big in the opener.
Sophmore guard Dennis Mavin finished last year averaging 5.2 points per game on 39% shooting.
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