UP14_13

University FAU’s student magazine

Press

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NOVEMBER 6, 2012 | VOL. 14 #13

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Coach Mike Jarvis is hopeful the nine new guys will blend with his five returning players

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Junior Dragan Sekelja

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Why three seniors decided to stick around despite the roster turnaround

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Freshman Stefan Moody

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Senior Greg Gantt

7-foot FAU center Dragan Sekelja patrols the paint this season

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FIRST ISSUE IS FREE; EACH ADDITIONAL COPY IS 50 CENTS AND AVAILABLE IN THE UP NEWSROOM.

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The Staff

Tuesday

November 6, 2012

Read us - upressonline.com Like us - facebook.com/universitypress Follow us - @upressonline (Twitter and Instagram)

IN THIS ISSUE

4.

A letter of advice for FAU’s nine new guys.

Find out why three seniors stayed after four players transferred.

6.

By Rolando Rosa

Special Issue Editor: Rolando Rosa Special Issue Designer: Wadreama King

`10.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - Ryan Cortes MANAGING EDITOR - Regina Kaza ART DIRECTOR - Phaedra Blaize ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR - Elena Medina BUSINESS MANAGER - James Shackelford COPY DESK CHIEF - Michael Chandeck

By Ryan Cortes

Introducing the new players at FAU.

14.

By Rolando Rosa, Mohamed Abdihakim, Cyrus Smith and Bryant Eng

Discover how three FAU players learned their craft

By Rolando Rosa, Nick Ippolitto and Bryant Eng

NEWS EDITOR - Dylan Bouscher SPORTS EDITOR - Rolando Rosa PHOTO EDITOR - Michelle Friswell CRIME EDITOR - Monica Ruiz

16.

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Christine Capozziello, Ryan Murphy

7-foot Dragan Sekelja is larger than life both on and off the court.

22.

By Rolando Rosa

By Rolando Rosa

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Chase Kennedy

A breakdown of the schedule with big games highlighted.

COPY EDITORS Jessica Cohn-Kleinberg, Emily Mitchell-Cetti, Amanda Rubio STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

24.

Melissa Landolfa, Lamise Mansur CONTRIBUTORS Mohamad Abdihakim, Samantha Bodner, Bryant Eng, Sarah Pruzansky, Cyrus Smith

FAU coach Mike Jarvis talks Owls basketball.

28.

By Rolando Rosa

ADVISERS

FAU coach Mike Jarvis gets his team ready for the upcoming season.

By Rolando Rosa

Dan Sweeney Michael Koretzky

777 Glades Road Student Union, Room 214 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.297.2960

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PUBLISHER FAU Student Government The opinions expressed by the UP are not necessarily those of the student body, Student Government or FAU.

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Nov. 6, 2012

3

AN OPEN LETTER

TO FAU’S NINE NEWCOMERS Rolando Rosa Sports editor Dear new guys, Welcome to FAU. Coach Mike Jarvis has high hopes for you. He says you have the potential to be the best class he’s ever had here.

After observing numerous practices, I agree with the coach’s assessment. From high-flying point guard Stefan Moody, to versatile forward Chris Bryant, and 7-foot transfer Dragan Sekelja, your squad has greatness written all over it.

The thing is, last year was supposed to be great too. The Owls were coming off a conference title and had their sights set on the NCAA Tournament. They had players (Ray Taylor, Kore White, Omari Grier, Dennis Mavin) just as talented as you guys, only most were juniors and seniors.

It was all set up to be the Year of the Tourney. Jarvis touted that squad the same way he’s touting you guys.

Point man Ray Taylor was a lot like you, Stefan. He was a fan favorite who wowed the crowd with his ball handling and rainbow 3-pointers.

Forward Kore White filled your role last season, Dragan. He even outscored future NBA lottery pick Tony Mitchell (North Texas) at The Burrow last year.

The potential was there, but the team last season wasn’t focused enough. Players were frustrated. Some wanted more playing time. Others wanted more shots.

The result was an 11-19 season and four transfers. Only seniors Greg Gantt, Jordan McCoy and Andre Mattison remain. That’s where you guys come in.

The main lessons to take from last season’s failures: 1. Don’t take your talent for granted.

2. Accept constructive criticism.

Skills and talent are important qualities for any basketball team, but a solid work ethic is the difference between “good enough” and “legendary.” When you graduate, you don’t want to have any regrets about what could have been. To be the second-ever Owls men’s basketball team to make the Big Dance, you’ll have to push yourself harder than you probably ever have.

As for your coach, I know Jarvis can be a bit of a hothead, but remember — he has your best intentions in mind. He has over 30 years of coaching experience and has led multiple teams to March Madness.

Respect him.

If he’s yelling at you in practice, it’s only to make you better, tougher and mentally stronger. That way, when you’re down five with a minute to go at FIU, you won’t panic.

Here at FAU, the stage is perfectly set for you guys. There’s little basketball tradition, so the expectations are low. This gives you the perfect opportunity to sneak up on people and create a bigger fanbase, which is also the only way The Burrow will ever grow.

Oh, and one last thing: Have fun.

Photo by Melissa Landolfa

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AdditioN

By Subtraction

By Ryan Cortes

After losing four players this offseason, the basketball team returns regrouped, reloaded and confident as ever f the basketball team’s senior class wins 17 games this year, it’ll go down as the winningest class in the history of FAU men’s basketball.

Going into last season, the basketball team was the talk of the athletic program. The year prior, head coach Mike Jarvis’ squad collected 21 wins — the most in the Sun Belt Conference’s regular season play — and expectations were high.

It just didn’t unfold as planned.

The team went 11-19, with Jarvis so frustrated by erratic play that every single player on the 12 man roster started at least one game. FAU’s season ended March 3 and within a month, point guard Ray Taylor (FIU), guards Dennis Mavin (FIU) and Omari Grier (Bradley), and forward Kore White (USF) all announced they were transferring.

A few weeks before this season started, the three seniors left on the team reflected back on an off-season none of them expected.

“I mean, it was a shock,” senior forward Jordan McCoy said. “We all came in as freshmen together, so you expect to finish together.”

“I was shocked,” senior guard Greg Gantt said. “I never thought Ray [Taylor] was gonna go through with it. I never thought Dennis [Mavin] was. You hear players in the locker room after a rough year, after a rough year with coach, they feel that they’re not being treated right as players. Some players are saying ‘Oh, I’m gonna leave.’ You know, you really just play it off because a lot of them are kids, they’re our age, and it’s just emotion. They’re not really thinking it through, but they actually did it.”

“I didn’t know what was going to happen or what the team was going to be like,” senior forward Andre Mattison said.

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There was one man, however, who saw an exodus of players and didn’t panic or pout.

“What’s going through my head is, we had a great opportunity to bring in better guys,” Mike Jarvis said. “Guys who really wanted to be here and be part of a championship program. It was all positive, to be very honest with you. I looked upon it as a blessing.”

According to Gantt, part of the departed players’ problems — if not all of them— had to do with Jarvis’ coaching style.

“Everybody’s different. Everyone has different tempers and different attitudes and a different look on how things are,” Gantt said. “I may see it as him trying to make me better, not him trying to treat me different because he doesn’t like me or doesn’t want to give me a chance. My situation is different. I was playing a lot and I was still getting yelled at as much as they were, but they weren’t playing as much. They were like, ‘Man, I’m getting screwed.’ They felt like their skill set and talent was fit for a different program. For me, I feel like I blossomed here. Coach taught me so much as a man and as a basketball player.”

Jarvis chuckled when asked what he made of those criticisms being an explanation for Taylor, Mavin, Grier and White no longer playing here.

“My job is to constructively criticize,” he said.

“If guys don’t want to be constructively criticized it tells me they don’t want to be better. And you know what, they’re better off someplace else. It’s really that simple. They just wanted a change. Some of them wanted more minutes, some of them wanted more shots, some of them didn’t want to be yelled at so much.

“The three guys that left, every one of them said that you were teaching us how to be men,” Jarvis added. “A coach can’t get a greater compliment than that. They just wanted more

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Nov. 6, 2012

7

2 1 1. Omari Grier scored a career high 27 points against UM last season.

Photos courtesy of Media Relations

4. Dennis Mavin took the most free throws on the team (73) despite playing only 13 minutes per game.

2. Last year forward Kore White averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.

3. Ray Taylor averaged 8.9 points and was second on the team with 41 3-pointers.

3

playing time or more shots. But they knew what they were getting and it was much more important than basketball. Unfortunately, a lot of people

encouraged them to find greener

pastures. They probably won’t. But I hope they do.”

It was pointed out that a fourth player — Kore White — had also left during the offseason.

“Kore didn’t leave, Kore was finished,” Jarvis said. “Kore was not going to come back here to play basketball so Kore didn’t leave. Kore graduated. He was done, OK? There was never a thought of Kore coming back here. He’s not even part of the equation. The other three guys left that could have come back. Kore wasn’t invited back.” White graduated from FAU this summer, but only after announcing his transfer to USF, using his last year of basketball eligibility after sitting out a year to transfer to FAU in 2009.

Even still, Gantt — who is 265 points away from becoming FAU’s all-time leading scorer; he scored 379 points, 448 points and 468 points in the last three seasons, respectively — had thoughts of not returning. Jarvis’ contract

4 was up and as player after player left, Gantt sat back and pondered.

“I had some thoughts like, ‘Everyone’s leaving, is coach going to re-sign, let me look at different schools.’ This and that.

It’s normal to have thoughts like that,” he said. “But at the end of the day, when coach re-signed I sat down and had a talk with him and put everything on the table and told him how I felt about everything and having these feelings. I was open with him and it was the first time I felt like I could actually open up and talk to him. He told me that he recruited me and he promised that he’d always be there for me and to always come to him and talk to him. I think this summer, me and coach got closer and I think he trusts me. We have a personal bond and I trust him so I know when I’m on the court and he may seem like an ass towards me, it’s not because he doesn’t like me that day. He told me I have a chance to play basketball after college and he’s not gonna let me slip. He told me that.”

It’s not the senior year Gantt and his remaining seniors expected when they arrived at FAU. It just didn’t unfold as planned.

And maybe that’s the beauty of it.

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5. FAU forward Jordan McCoy scored 18 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over FIU last season.

He was second in rebounds last year with 128.

6. FAU forward Andre Mattison had a career-high 10 points last season against Harvard. He played in 27 games with two starts.

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9

Fresh Introducing FAU’s first year players Photos courtesy of Media Relations

Stefan Moody Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 pounds High school: Poinciana High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Javier Lacunza Height: 6’8” Weight: 205 pounds High school: Hudson Falls (N.Y.)

By Mohamed Abdihakim

By Rolando Rosa

Basketball: As a high school player, Stefan

Falls High School, where he had a game of 31 points

American, averaging 27.9 points per game his

Florida, Lacunza doesn’t get to talk to his parents as

Sentinel’s All Central Florida list.

the other foreign players.

of his teammates, involve making it to the NBA.

he turns to Pablo Bertone for advice. He and Dragan

when he became the school’s first Parade All-

and 20 rebounds last season. Now that he’s living in

senior year. He was also named to the Orlando

much, but the Spaniard is getting a lot of help from

Non-basketball: His aspirations, much like those

But, he’s under no illusions.

“I’m obviously going to work for it, but I see

Chris Bryant Height: 6’8” Weight: 210 pounds High school: Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, Va.)

By Mohamed Abdihakim Basketball: While playing at Tallahassee-

Rickards high school, Chris Bryant won two

class 3A state titles, while also earning MVP of

Basketball: Javier Lacunza arrives from Hudson

Moody made school history at Poinciana

myself as a guy who can make it overseas,”

Moody said. “I also want to get my degree, have a little job after basketball, so that I’m living good.”

He says that whenever he’s confused on the court,

Sekelja have helped him adjust to life away from home.

Non-Basketball: Lacunza has expanded his musical

tastes since joining the Owls. His fellow teammates are getting him into rap, something he couldn’t imagine listening to back in Spain.

“I don’t dance to rap. The guys need to show me

how to dance to rap,” Lacunza said with a smile. “I

like house, techno. Now I’m getting into rap music, the kind of music these guys put on their phones.”

the division. Bryant broke into the nation’s top 100 players in the country before finishing his

high school career at Fishburne Military School.

There, Bryant would earn several accolades,

including the Big Bend Player of the Year and

state tournament MVP before joining the Owls.

Non-basketball: When they’re not in practice,

Bryant and teammates walk around campus

sporting British accents, and convincing people they’re authentic Englishmen.

“They actually think we’re British,” Bryant said

with a smile. “Some people get shocked when they find out we’re actually not.

“I have to be in the next Friday movie — Last

Friday, or something, I have to.”

DeVonte Thornton Height: 6’8” Weight: 185 pounds High school: Osborne High School (Marietta, Ga.)

By Rolando Rosa Basketball: DeVonte Thornton was a big-time

performer as a high school player in Georgia. He

averaged 19 points and six rebounds last year at Osborne High School, leading them to their first state playoff appearance in 10 years.

Non-basketball: If Thornton doesn’t play pro ball

after he graduates at FAU, the forward plans on being a trendsetter.

“I have a clothing line coming up. It’s called

Lions and Mouse. That’s the main thing I’ve been trying to work on,” Thornton said. “It’s going to be sweaters, T-shirts. I’m not going to start on jeans until I get bigger than what I am now.”

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Jackson Trapp Height: 6’4” Weight: 195 pounds High School: Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, Va.)

Cavon Baker Height: 6’1” Weight: 170 pounds High school: New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)

By Cyrus Smith

By Mohamed Abdihakim

Basketball: Jackson Trapp suffers from White Men

Basketball: Beginning his high school career

Justin Raffington Height: 6’9” Weight: 245 pounds Transfer: University of San Francisco

By Cyrus Smith Basketball: Justin Raffington is not your typical

Can’t Jump syndrome.

at Thomas Edison, Cavon Baker boasted an

athletic. They automatically assume he’s just a

year of high school ball, Baker would move on

from the perimeter, Raffington will add a new

dunk.

lead the team to a 30-4 record before making

he’s done redshirting. Coach Jarvis wants him

He says at first, most people don’t think he’s

shooter, but he can actually handle the ball and At 6-foot-4, Orlando native Trapp has the athletic

ability of a forward and the ball handling skills of a

point guard, giving head coach Mike Jarvis a variety of options to use him for this season.

Non-basketball: Jackson’s dad, Richard Trapp, is

a former Florida Gator wide receiver who is in the

University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. Trapp’s athletic bloodline does not end there, as his mom

plays tennis and even enters doubles tournaments with his dad.

average of 18 points per game. For his final

big man. With the ability to post up and shoot

to New Hope Academy (Maryland). He would

dynamic to the FAU men’s basketball team after

his way to FAU.

to play on the perimeter a lot more, something

to an inquiry on his interests. Dig a little deeper,

looking forward to.

Non-basketball: “Women” was his first answer

though, and Baker reveals an interest in acting.

“Acting was fun. I mainly did school

which will be a new experience, but one he’s Non-basketball: Born and raised in Freiburg,

Germany, Raffington is enjoying the cultural

productions and whatnot in high school.

differences in Boca.

guy. Easy to talk to, easy to get along with,”

is very different from San Francisco in that San

have my own pace. On the court, off the court,

European lifestyle, whereas from a European

“I’m just a guy you want to be around, a fun

“I like FAU a lot,” Raffington said. “Boca Raton

Baker said. “Just … smooth. Always smooth, I

Francisco was more of a European city and

all around.”

perspective, Boca Raton is just like how I would think an American city would be like.”

Austin Hunt Height: 6’2” Weight: 175 pounds High school: Palmetto High School (Miami, Fla.)

By Bryant Eng Basketball: Following a successful career at Palmetto

High School, Austin Hunt brought his talents to

FAU, but his body was not quite ready for Division-I basketball.

Hunt was about 160 pounds when he joined the

Owls last season, but after adding 15 pounds of beef to his 6-foot-2 frame during his redshirt year, the guard is more than ready to contribute.

Hunt anticipates that his role on the team will be

as a defensive specialist, and his increased strength should allow him to match up with some of the Sun Belt Conference’s more physical guards.

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13

THE ART OF Learn how three FAU players perform their extraordinary skills

FAU shooting guard Greg Gantt (14 ppg last season) has led the Owls in scoring the last three seasons.

Photos by Melissa Landolfa

THE SHARP SHOOTER

By Bryant Eng

THE HIGH FLYER

By Nick Ippolitto AU point guard Stefan Moody is 5-foot-10, but he dunks like he’s 6-foot-10.

Ask Moody how he does it, though, and he won’t give you an answer as loud as one of his slams.

“It just feels normal,” Moody said nonchalantly about what it’s like to soar through the air at his height.

Over the summer, during the Fab 48 Tournament in the AAU league, Moody demonstrated his uncanny dunking ability by slamming on an opposing player who was a towering 6-foot-10.

Moody detailed the routine he goes through with every dunk.

“I usually come off, planting my left foot, and having my right foot plant at an angle,” Moody said. “I bend down with both knees. It’s like a leap.“ Because of Moody’s athleticism, the game is effortless to him at times, but he usually lets the situation dictate what type of dunk he performs.

“In the game I keep it simple — two hands. I’ve done a windmill in a game last year. It depends on what angle I’m coming from,” Moody said. “Also it depends on the situation. If it’s late in the game and I’m tired, I’ll keep it simple.”

To Moody, there’s no scenario where he’s intimidated to go up for a dunk.

“Nah, I don’t care,” Moody said. “It don’t matter.”

FAU point guard Stefan Moody has won multiple slam dunk contests while playing high school basketball in Orlando.

In an attempt to educate me about the art of shooting, Owls’ senior guard Greg Gantt walked me through the mechanics.

First, a shooter’s feet should be shoulder length apart and pointed at the basket.

The knees, Gantt explained, should be bent in an athletic position, cocked like a gun ready to fire.

He specifically explained that when a player shoots, their center of gravity should land in front of where their feet were originally placed, not in the same place or behind.

Lastly, Gantt’s head and eyes are always focused on the basket; according to Gantt, concentration isn’t just a matter of mechanics.

“Shooting is … 40 percent mechanics and the rest mental,” Gantt said. “Sometimes your mechanics don’t even matter.”

According to Gantt, confidence is paramount to jump shooting. Gantt contends that if a shooter believes they are going to miss a shot, the mechanical margin of error expands.

“If I have a doubt in my mind that I’m gonna miss a shot,” Gantt said, “then the odds are the ball is gonna roll in and roll out.”

Gantt’s mastery in the art of shooting, both technically and psychologically, have brought him within 265 points of FAU’s all-time scoring record, but at this stage of his career he cares more about victories than numbers.

“I’m more concerned about winning another championship,” Gantt said about FAU’s regular season Sun Belt Conference championship two years ago.

THE SHOT-SWATTER

By Rolando Rosa Six-foot-6 Owls forward Kelvin Penn prides himself on his ability to be the bailout man on the team. Blocking shots is the sophomore’s standout skill.

“Basically, if I see that my teammate has gotten beat ... I feel like I can come over and get it,” Penn said. “I’m going to come over and pretty much tag the ball.”

Last year, as a freshman, Penn blocked a team-high 42 shots, averaging 1.5 in only 19 minutes per game. He credits his patience and basketball IQ for his ability to block so many shots.

“You’ve got to have great timing. You also have to be smart. You can’t go for every

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Nov. 6, 2012

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shot,” Penn said. “Sometimes it’s better just to put your hands up. [But] other times when you know you have it, then just go up and get it.”

Penn says blocking shots has always come natural to him, even though he’s an undersized power forward. He enjoys the challenge of competing against larger guys and holding his own.

With a virtually brand new cast of players, FAU now has a bunch of freshmen highflyers on the team. That isn’t stopping Penn from poking fun at his teammates. He looks around the court and realizes something.

“I think at one point in time I’ve blocked everybody’s shot in here,” Penn said. “I’m almost positive.”

FAU forward Kelvin Penn (44) had a five-block game last season vs.

Western Kentucky.

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second

Mike Jarvis calls Dragan Sekelja his number one recruit in a class he deems the best ever at FAU. The 7-foot transfer from Baylor is hoping to provide the size and defensive presence lacking in the Owls’ last season.

straight

set

It’s a Saturday night in early October at The Burrow. Basketball season is a little over a month away, but one of the Owls’ new big men is here to watch volleyball. Looking around, the atmosphere for a volleyball game at The Burrow is much different than for basketball.

Example: Only one side of the stands is used for seating at matches.

This made it easy to spot my target.

However, it wasn’t hard to identify a basketball giant in a crowd of around 50 regular-sized humans. FAU center

“The refs don’t like us, man,” Sekelja says after a call he felt went against the Owls. “The girl touched the ball and it went outside but they got the point.

play.

That’s not fair.”

So that’s how I’m trying to be.”

Dragan Sekelja, wearing a red FAU basketball T-shirt,

***

black shorts and gray Nike’s with long white socks, is sitting alone, three rows from the court, in support of his girlfriend, right side player Chandler Hatton. FAU, losers of its first nine conference games this season, are taking on Sun Belt foe Louisiana-Lafayette.

The 7-foot Croatian’s long legs are scrunched up in his seat. Knowing that no one else is going to show up, he decides to stretch his size 15 kicks out over an empty blue chair in the row in front of him.

“I try to come to all the games I can, depending on my schedule,” Sekelja says.

That schedule is now basketball-intensive. While his teammates were struggling through an 11-19 season, the transfer from Baylor had to sit out all of last season as a redshirt. He explains how he learned a lot from the bench, but is glad the experience is over.

“That was probably the hardest thing I had to do in my basketball career,” Sekelja says. “Knowing I couldn’t help the team when I knew they could really use me was tough.

It was frustrating.”

Right now, Sekelja is frustrated with the match and isn’t afraid to show his displeasure. FAU is about to drop their

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Nov. 6, 2012

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By Rolando Rosa Photos by Ryan Murphy

of the match.

Plus, it was at Baylor where he learned about American cuisine. One of his first

Life can be unfair. When he arrived at Baylor in 2009, Sekelja thought he would have a prominent role on the team.

meals there was a burger from Whataburger, something he smiles back on.

“It was the first fast food joint that I went to. It

Instead, he played 79 total minutes in two seasons.

was just amazing,” Sekelja says. “The Whataburger

When he actually did play, he wasn’t called on to produce.

was the first place in America where I had a big heart

“Coach just wanted me to be a dump center. Just set

attack burger.”

picks and not do much,” Sekelja says. “He took a lot away from my game and didn’t let me shoot at all. I didn’t have

***

the ball at all.”

The lack of playing time initially had Sekelja wondering if he made the right choice.

“When I was at Baylor sitting at the end of the bench, I never thought of quitting,” Sekelja says. “But at the same time, I was just kind of thinking, ‘Maybe I’m just not good enough for this level.’”

His attitude remained positive after talking it over with some of his teammates and putting things in perspective.

“But then you would have a few good practices and kind of regain faith in yourself. You’ve got to stay confident all the time,” Sekelja says. “Great players never lose their confidence, even if they miss a shot they move on to the next

At halftime, a couple of his Owls teammates show up. He introduces me to Javier Lacunza (from Spain) and Jackson Trapp. A salsa song begins to blare through the speakers and Sekelja decides to get a dig in on the Spaniard.

“This is his jam,” Sekelja says. “I came to his house one day and he was dancing to this in a towel.”

Between swapping phones to laugh at memes, Sekelja and Lacunza are checking their Twitter pages.

“You see how many people retweeted me?” Sekelja asks Lacunza. “You don’t get any retweets. Hashtag losing!”

“This is like Twitter competition,” Sekelja says to me of the friendly rivalry.

Unleash thE Dragan upressonline.com 4, 2012 upressonline.com Sept.

Oct. 23, 2012

1717

volleyball team’s biggest supporter has a

“You will see him around Boca driving his scooter. A giant guy on a scooter,’’

rhetorical question: “Why don’t we play like that the whole game?” Sekelja asks.

teammate Pablo Bertone says while laughing. “People take pictures of him

When Chandler Hatton meets a ULL

and stuff. I’ve been in the car with a friend.

player at the net and blocks away the ball

He didn’t know him and he was taking

for a point, Sekelja puts on his best PA

pictures of him.”

Sekelja bought the scooter for his

voice.

“The lane is closed,” Sekelja says

birthday last January. His teammates

with a grin. “That’s what they say at our

teased him about it at first, but now they

games.”

see the benefits. ***

“Every day I drive my scooter to practice. They make fun of me because

When you walk through campus

it’s a regular sized scooter — two people

at 7-feet tall, 240 pounds, stares and

can fit on it,” Sekelja says. “Sometimes I

questions are bound to happen all the

let them drive it and they like it. They’re

time. The most annoying question for

like little kids in a candy store.”

Sekelja, “Do you play basketball?”

It’s taken awhile to get used to, but Sekelja isn’t bothered anymore when

He used to have a different form of transportation but realized a change was necessary.

“Just because it’s easy to get around

asked this.

“I’m kind of over it, though. It’s been

campus, and I had a bike, but I realized

that way for the past five, six years of my

I’m just a little too big for one,” Sekelja

life,” Sekelja says. “So now I make jokes

says of why he made the switch. “It’s

out of it.”

more convenient and I was starting to

Sekelja takes it all in stride. Sometimes he tells people he’s 5-foot-10 and plays

work at the Rec Center so it helped me to get around.”

on the swim team or plays soccer.

FAU center Dragan Sekelja is one of only two 7-footers in the Sun Belt conference (the other is FIU’s Ivan Jurkovic). Sekelja sat out last season as a redshirt from Baylor.

Sekelja says he’s at 395 followers and

whom he Skypes often.

“He is brave to go to America on his

wants to break the 400 mark.

“You gonna follow me?” he asks.

own. He is kind, warm hearted, witty,

I tell him yes and he turns to Lacunza

maybe a little shy in some occasions,” his brother Josip says. “There are too

to tease him some more.

“Oh yeah! Another follower,” Sekelja

many memories to have a favorite — we spent so much time side by side. I find my

says. “Hashtag winning!”

room too quiet now that he’s in America.

He would turn every electronic device on,

***

jump around the flat. He had his ‘mess’ Sekelja is from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. As of 2011, the city has a

population

of

792,875,

which

is

everywhere.”

Sekelja misses his mom’s home cooking, especially her birthday cake.

significantly larger than Boca Raton

“The thing that I miss the most now is

(85,329), but he says the environment is

having a cooked meal three times a day,”

nothing like the United States.

Sekelja says. “To go from three cooked

“The culture is very different. It’s much more laid back where I’m from,” Sekelja

meals a day to cooking for myself every day, you kind of appreciate it a lot more.”

says. “Here, it’s very fast paced, but I’ve ***

gotten used to it.”

His father is a retired policeman, and his mother works with the government.

Sekelja has one brother back home,

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Nov. 6, 2012

upressonline.com

FAU, which lost its first two sets, are now rallying to even the match. The

***

No one falls for it.

“If they get really pushy and say, ‘Oh, you’re really tall, do you play basketball?’

I say ‘Oh, you’re really short. Do you play

At the Rec Center, Sekelja worked at the front desk.

minigolf?’” Sekelja says. “People get

“He was a cool co-worker,” Clifford

offended sometimes, but they don’t really

Coleman, who is working on his second

think about what it’s like when people

bachelor’s in commercial music, says.

always come up to you asking about your

“Fun person to work with. He made the

height.”

time go by fast.”

Sekelja’s height has led to some awkward, uncomfortable moments.

One of the ways Sekelja did that was by playing jokes on students.

“I hate it. Every flight or drive that’s like

“Say a girl will walk up while he was

more than an hour, my legs start cramping

working. She’ll come up and ask, ‘How tall

up and I have to stop to stretch a little bit.

are you?’ He’ll say ‘Oh, I’m 6’2,’” Coleman

It’s just been terrible,” Sekelja says. “But

says. “And she’ll be like, ‘Wow, I’ve never

I’ve learned how to get used to it. So I

seen somebody 6’2 before. You’re so

don’t really complain about it because me

tall.’ I’ll just be there standing like, ‘Oh my

complaining about it isn’t going to help.”

goodness, you can’t tell he’s 7-foot?’”

Sekelja discovered rap music while at

***

Baylor through his teammates. Coleman was surprised when he found out one of

To get some responsibility and to kill

Sekelja’s favorites.

time, Sekelja started working at the FAU

“He’s a 7-footer. He’s from Europe. But

Rec Center last year. It’s the way he gets

yet he likes Lil Boosie,” Coleman says.

to work that’s interesting, though.

“That shocked the heck out of me.”

The 7-footer rides around on a normal

Sekelja made even the most routine,

sized scooter, causing stares and laughs

mundane tasks, like cleaning out lint from

from students.

the washing machine, seem interesting.

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Sept. 4, 2012

19

“Put it this way, Dragan has a little swagger about him,”

centers, including Patrick Ewing,” Sekelja says. “I believe he

Coleman says. “Whatever he does he tries to turn it around

can take my game to the next level. When I was here for my

and make it seem like it’s a cool thing to do.”

visit, coach told me he was going to be harder on me than

Sekelja no longer works there, wanting to devote more time to basketball. However, his time at the Rec Center helped Sekelja form friendships that he hopes will carry on

anyone else and expect more from me than even I expect from myself.”

Part of that is learning to take criticism Mike Jarvis style.

During one Friday scrimmage, point guard Stefan Moody

even after college.

“It was a great experience just because it was a family

drives the baseline and hits Sekelja with a pass in the paint.

atmosphere around there. I became really good friends with

Instead of powering over 6-foot-6 Kelvin Penn, Sekelja

people that I worked with,” Sekelja says. “There was not

decides to loft a soft layup that rolled off the rim.

one single person I didn’t like over there. So every time I

Jarvis is fuming.

would go to work I would have a smile on my face. It was like

“Dragan!” he yells. “Dunk the ball!”

business and pleasure at the same time.”

Jarvis sees the potential in Sekelja, which is why he won’t settle for less than excellence from his new man.

***

“The thing about Dragan, like any other player we have, no matter how well they do, we want better. The better he

The game is down to the final play. FAU is looking to pull

does, the more I’m going to push him and the more I’m

off the upset and now Sekelja is on his feet. When FAU’s

going to expect of him,” Jarvis says. “That’s what any player

Alessia Pizzoccheri scores the final point, Sekelja raises his

should want. He wants to be a player. He wants to be a pro. I

hands to the sky in joy. The volleyball team huddles up in the

think he can be. But he’s still got a long way to go before he

middle of the court, shouting and high-fiving.

gets there. He’s still in a developmental stage.”

Sekelja’s been to a ton of his girlfriend’s games, but this is the first time he gets to celebrate a win with Chandler Hatton.

In the moment it may be difficult to deal with, but Sekelja knows there’s a method to Jarvis’s approach.

“He comes to support me every single game,” Hatton

“Sometimes it’s tough, but I want to get better so I have

says. “He comes early, stays late and he has a blast. So

to live with it. I’m coachable. I’m not going to take it to heart,”

it’s great.”

Sekelja says. “I don’t listen to the way he says it, I listen

The win snaps a 23-match losing streak in Sun Belt play.

to what he says. As long as he’s talking to me I know he

Sekelja mimics the swagger he thinks the team will have

wants me to get better. If he’s not talking to me, then I’d be worried.”

because of the victory.

“They’re going to be all cocky in the halls now,” Sekelja says to new forward Chris Bryant as he tilts his chin to the ceiling and struts like a peacock. “Oh, look at us, we won

Jarvis realizes how vital a potentially dominant center could be for his squad.

“He is a center. He is the guy that things revolve around.

I expect him to be a very stable center,” Jarvis said. “He

a game.”

Hatton’s shoulder is covered with an ice pack but that doesn’t stop her from poking some fun at Sekelja.

“The UP shows up for a volleyball game, and you get interviewed about basketball,” Hatton says while she playboxes with him. “What’s that all about?”

It’s all smiles afterwards. Bryant says he’s ready to catch no-look passes from Sekelja, but doubts his skills on the

should be an integral part of holding the team together by being a real center, by being the center of our team. Not only doing well for himself but making sure everybody else is working.”

Teammates are thrilled by the advantages of Sekelja manning the middle.

“He’s going to help us a lot. He’s huge so he’s going to be like an obstacle they have to go through to get to the

dance floor.

“Dragan? Man, Dragan ain’t got no rhythm,” Bryant says

basket,” Pablo Bertone says. “On offense, everything starts

before offering a challenge. “Yo Dragan, let me see you

through him. We can dump the ball in the paint and then

Dougie.”

he’ll kick the ball out and get everybody moving. It opens

Out of respect, Sekelja declines to show the newcomer

the floor up a lot.”

his funky moves. ***

“I can Dougie better than you,” Sekelja says as he palms a stray volleyball. “I just don’t want to embarrass you.”

The moment is approaching. ***

Sekelja says every day he doesn’t leave the gym until he makes 500 18-foot shots. He cannot contain his excitement.

So far, Sekelja and his head coach, Mike Jarvis, are on

Sekelja doesn’t know how the season is going to unfold but

the same page. In Sekelja’s visit to FAU, Jarvis made him

he just wants to get out on the court and play basketball

feel at ease by explaining what his role would be and that he

again.

puts God first before basketball.

“I can learn a lot from him. He’s coached many great

20

Nov. 6, 2012

upressonline.com

“I’ve been ready,” Sekelja says. “It’s been long. Too damn long.”

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21

Better

By Rolando Rosa

Nov. 11 at North Carolina, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 at Mississippi State, 8 p.m.

Why the Owls will win six more games in 2012-2013 PREdictioN: 17-14

Dec. 1 vs. Arkansas State, 8 p.m.

With seven freshmen, the Owls are much younger than last year’s 11-19 squad. However, with the addition of firstyear phenoms such as Chris Bryant and Stefan Moody, this year’s team is just as talented and won’t have the chemistry issues that plagued FAU last season. Seventeen wins will give the seniors (Greg Gantt, Jordan McCoy, Andre Mattison) the most ever wins for a graduating class, and cement head coach Mike Jarvis as the winningest coach in the program’s history.

Dec. 6 at Stetson, 7 p.m.

FivE gamEs to looK oUt FoR:

Dec. 9 vs. Warner Southern, 3 p.m.

Nov. 11 at North Carolina (Maui Invitational) 2:30 p.m.:

Nov. 17 vs. Coppin State (Elon, N.C.), 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 18 vs. Elon/Colgate (Elon, N.C.), TBA Nov. 24 vs. American, 1 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. South Alabama, 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Dayton, 7 p.m.

Dec. 18 vs. Stetson, 7 p.m.

Dec. 21 at Indiana, 7 p.m.

FAU will need a prayer not to lose big at Chapel Hill. The Owls are likely to get slaughtered by the No. 12 Tar Heels.

However, the matchup, televised on ESPNU, will give the nation its first look at the FAU freshman class that Jarvis says could be one of the best ever.

Dec. 27 at Troy, 8 p.m.

Dec. 29 at ULM, 5 p.m.

Jan. 1 vs. Hofstra, 2 p.m.

Jan. 3 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Middle Tennessee State, 8 p.m.

Jan. 12 at Western Kentucky, 8 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. Troy, 7 p.m.

Jan. 19 vs. North Texas, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 at UALR, 8 p.m.

Jan. 26 at Arkansas State, 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. ULM, 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State, 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 at FIU, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 at South Alabama, 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 at Louisiana-Lafayette, 8:15 p.m.

Feb. 21 at North Texas, 8 p.m.

Feb. 23 vs. UALR, 7 p.m.

March 2 vs. FIU, 7 p.m.

March 8-11 Sun Belt Championship, Hot Springs, Ark., TBA

22

Nov. 6, 2012

upressonline.com

Nov. 13 at Mississippi State (Maui Invitational) 8 p.m.:

Former Owls’ point guard Ray Taylor provided the highlight of FAU’s season with his inbounds pass off a defender’s back in last season’s tight road loss to Mississippi State. The year before, FAU beat Mississippi State. It’ll be another tight game, but the Owls will drop to 0-2.

Dec. 21 at Indiana 7 p.m.:

The Owls will get plenty of rest an hour away from Nap Town — the nickname for Indianapolis used by reporters and columnists such as Fox Sports’ Jason Whitlock — but it won’t help once they hit the court. Not even the Owls’ best Hoosiers impression will save them from a beatdown in Bloomington.

Feb. 14 vs. Western Kentucky 7 p.m.:

Last season, FAU was picked by analysts to make the NCAA Tournament. Instead, it was the Hilltoppers, sparked by an in-season coaching change, who marched to the Big Dance instead. The Owls will pull off a close win at home.

March 2 vs. FIU 7 p.m.:

It’s senior night for Gantt, McCoy and Mattison. If that isn’t motivation enough, they can always turn to the Golden Panthers bench and look at former Owls Ray Taylor and Dennis Mavin, who left FAU to join one of its biggest rivals.

With FIU moving to Conference USA after the season, this might be the last time these two teams play for awhile. The Burrow will be buried with another win over FIU.

Photo by Melissa Landolfa

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A Q&A with FAU head coach The UP sits down with the man in charge of the rebuilt Owls basketball

By Rolando Rosa Photos by Melissa Landolfa

Owls head coach Mike Jarvis is one of the most outspoken people in all of FAU sports. And after a busy offseason, highlighted by a mass exodus of departing players, Jarvis is not afraid to sound off on any and every FAU basketball subject.

The UP caught up with Jarvis after a practice just a couple of weeks before the start of the season to get his thoughts on the offseason, his departing players, the newcomers and more.

UP: Last season you were essentially a lame duck, given that your contract was set to expire. How important was it for you to secure your three-year contract extension?

Jarvis: I think it’s important in the sense that these players know that their coach is here for the long haul. Other than that, the extension really isn’t anything that surprised me.

I was always confident it was coming.

UP: What are your thoughts on the departing players who transferred away?

Jarvis: First of all, you don’t recruit anybody with the idea that they’re going to leave. You recruit guys with the idea that they’re going to stay and graduate, because most of the guys I’m going to recruit are not going to the NBA. So, my focus is: get a degree and get prepared for life after basketball. I mean, it’s disappointing. My biggest relief, and I’m glad, is that every one of them is going to be in college and have a chance to graduate.

So I’m happy for them. I hope they do well. I hope they have great careers wherever they go. And most importantly, they’re going to need a degree, because I don’t think any of those guys are playing professional basketball. I’m never worried about if you’re going to get another player. When Greg [Gantt] and Jordan [McCoy] leave, two other guys will take their spot. It’s like life. Some die, some people are born. Life goes on.

UP: You’re a devout Christian and go to church all the time. How important is it for you to emphasize God in your recruiting?

Jarvis: With any kid I recruit, whether they believe in God or not, they need to know what I believe in because they’re going to come and be with me for years. I think at this stage of young people’s lives, they need God more than they even know they do. So God is always an important part of who I am but the main reason why any kid goes to any school is because of the coach. Even great schools like Duke and North Carolina, the players aren’t going there for just the schools, they’re going there for [Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams]. That’s why kids choose colleges.

UP: Given how young the team is and how much has changed, who are some of the

24

Nov. 6, 2012

upressonline.com

players you trust the most?

Jarvis: Well, I trust all these guys and I want to make that point clear. I trust every single one of them or else they wouldn’t be here. Because I’m putting my livelihood, and my son’s livelihood, and my assistant coaches livelihoods in their hands, so I trust every one of them. However, I trust some more than others. The guys that I trust the most, for the most part, have been the guys that have been here the longest. Before the season began, before we started working out, I would have said probably Greg and Jordan. But I would say right now, the way things are going so far, I mean, Pablo Bertone right now is playing fantastic basketball. I trust him like I never thought I would. We’ve got two freshmen guards, one right now is a little bit ahead of the other one, that I trust is going to be able to run this team like nobody else has and that’s Stefan Moody.

He is the real deal. He has the potential to be amongst the best guards that I’ve ever coached at any level, any place. And I had a lottery pick guard in high school by the name of Rumeal Robinson. Erick Barkley, who was a first round pick. I’ve had a couple McDonald’s All-Americans. I’ve had some great guards.

Shawnta Rogers at GW (George Washington). Stefan Moody, I mean, if he continues to work, which I know he will, and really want to get better and have a will to improve, the sky’s the limit for that kid.

He has the whole package. I mean, forget about the fact that he’s only 5-foot-9. It doesn’t make a difference for me. He plays like he’s 6-foot-8. And he’s strong, so he can defend and he’s quick. He’s got a great feel for the game. And he’s unselfish. I mean, he can get 30 points, 20 points and you would think he got 10. At times a very loud 20 because of the way he plays, but if his shot is on, forget it.

He’s special. He could play at any place in the country. He’s the one kid in our program, the only kid in our program, that could play for anybody in the country.

UP: Do you ever conduct practice and look back on it and laugh at anything you said?

Jarvis: I laugh at myself more than you would ever imagine. I think I’m funny sometimes. Coaching for me is like breathing. I breathe it. I live it. I love it. This is a lifestyle. This is an advocation. This is my ministry. The apostles would often say that — God what do I say? God would say: “Don’t worry. I’ll put the words in your mouth. You’ll say the right thing.” Now, I’m not saying I always

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Sept. 4, 2012

25

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say the right thing, but I really feel like the words will be put in my mouth with what I’m supposed to say.

That’s probably one of the reasons why I love coaching so much. It’s an opportunity to really teach, and you can have fun with it sometimes.

Most of the things I do, I don’t do intentionally, but sometimes they’re funny. We watch film, and we tape every practice. I don’t always laugh out loud, but I’m sometimes laughing at myself.

Plus, I still got my New England accent, so I’m saying to myself, how the heck did they even understand what I said? That’s probably why I repeat stuff so much. But once the kids get used to it, they get used to it. I’m not saying they always like it. I get mad at myself sometimes because I might stop practice too many times.

With this team particularly, I’m trying to let them play through their mistakes more. In fact, I spoke with Pablo last year. Pablo and I, we didn’t have as good of a relationship as we should have because there was a language difference. I told him, I said.

“You have to ask questions more often. You have to come back and ask, “What did you mean by that?” Because I might talk and say things that are natural and normal to me and not necessarily to the kids, especially the foreign kids.

One of the things he said to me, and I try to listen to my players because I want them to listen to me, he said, “Sometimes I think you might stop us too much. Especially me, because I’m probably better off if you just take me out and tell me instead of stopping practice and yelling at me.” I thought about that and there’s some legitimacy and value in that. I’m trying to adjust my coaching.

I hope we’re going to be a real up and down, up-tempo team. The only way you can really get into that is by doing it. So sometimes, I really have to bite my tongue and wait two or three minutes

before I correct things once we get going. Like now, I might start blowing the whistle a little bit less.

Any time I stop a practice, when I correct one guy, I’m not correcting one guy. It’s for everybody.

Some coaches correct individually. You can’t do that and really expect to get the job done. Why should I repeat something to four guys when I could teach four guys at one time?

My wife laughs at me more than I do. Sometimes she gets mad at me but that’s a whole other story.

UP: FAU basketball hasn’t been around for that long, but with 17 more victories you’ll be the winningest coach in the program’s history. What kind of pride do you take in it?

Jarvis: [Laughs] That just tells you how bad FAU basketball has been. Because if I’m going to be the winningest coach with 17 more wins then that’s not good. We haven’t won enough games. If we were winning 20 games a year like I’m used to, then that’s different. And I hope that day will come.

Honestly, I hope we have those wins this year.

Now, if we do, that’s not even 100. We won six the first year, that was awful. Eleven last year, that was awful. It would be 52 wins [in my FAU career]. Four years, 52 wins? C’mon, man. That stinks. I use to win that in two years.

But this is not any other school. This is a much more difficult job and much more of a building job than any other place I’ve been. You know, it’s going to take longer to get 100 wins here. Honestly, when I first came I figured it would take six years. It still might. You never know. It might take seven years.

Hopefully I’m still alive and coaching here by then.

It might take one more recruit, but I think we have an NCAA team in the making. I really do. I really like the potential of this team. We’ve got to get people to come out, because I think once they come, they’ll come back.

Mike Jarvis is entering his 20th season. Jarvis led the Owls to the Sun Belt Conference regular season title in the 2010-2011 season.

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Nov. 6, 2012

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Nov. 6, 2012

27

Old School for the

FAU head coach Mike Jarvis takes on a very active role in practice. Jarvis says he most enjoys the teaching aspect of his profession. Photos by Melissa Landolfa

By Rolando Rosa With nine new players arriving and six departing, FAU men’s basketball is being picked by analysts to finish anywhere between fourth and last place in the Sun Belt Conference East division.

“That’s how many rebounds you have!” He says as he storms

away.

Jarvis isn’t a bully to the freshmen and newcomers. He’s an

While head coach Mike Jarvis isn’t surprised by the predictions,

equal opportunist with his criticism. Seasoned seniors get his wrath

His squad has more newcomers than returning players, but the

returning player.

he also isn’t fazed by them.

competitive Jarvis sees a teaching challenge. In a golf cart outside

too if they don’t execute up to his standards, even if they’re the best

***

of The Burrow, he explains this will be his youngest team since his days coaching future NBA lottery picks, such as Patrick Ewing

and Rumeal Robinson during the 1980s at Cambridge Rindge and

units: Team Blue and Team Red.

and Stefan Moody, has the potential to be one of the best ever at

Bryant, Jackson Trapp, Thornton and Richard Morrow) is full of

Jarvis believes the incoming class, highlighted by Chris Bryant

FAU. But before they can start racking up stats and wins, the new guys have to pass Camp Jarvis.

*** FAU forward DeVonte Thornton was an All-State selection in

Georgia last year, his final year of high school. You wouldn’t know that based on the way Jarvis got in his mug after a play one day in

Besides sophomore forward Kelvin Penn, Team Blue (Chris

fresh faces.

Team Red, meanwhile, is comprised of a trio of key contributors

from last season (Greg Gantt, Pablo Bertone and Jordan McCoy), along with Dragan Sekelja and freshman Cavon Baker.

Sharpshooter Gantt is 265 points away from being FAU’s all-time

leading scorer, but Jarvis decides to make an example out of his star player during a set.

On one play, Gantt receives the ball on the wing. Instead of

training camp.

making the simple pass to Baker, he decides to swing it diagonally

the sideline, but not moving as aggressively as Jarvis wants.

McCoy which clanks off the rim.

Late in practice, Thornton is coming down on a screen from

Immediately after Thornton’s lackadaisical effort, Jarvis’ eyes bulge out as he blows his whistle.

“Gimme a pushup,” Jarvis shouts at the 6-foot-8, 185 pound

freshman.

Before Thornton even finishes, Jarvis interrupts with a quip.

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For the latter half of another practice, the team is divided into two

Latin School.

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across the court instead. The end result is an off balance shot from “Greg, was your intention to hand off to Cavon?” Jarvis

sarcastically asks.

A subdued Gantt quietly nods his head.

“What do you call then?” he asks Gantt if he wants to alert Baker

of his motive. “Handoff.”

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FAU head coach Mike Jarvis has been emphasizing ball pressure in practice. The Owls want to be an up-tempo team but realize getting stops is the key to getting out in transition.

FAU assistant coach Mike Jarvis II thinks the key to a successful season will be defense. Forward Kelvin Penn (pictured) will play a prominent role in the Owls’ defensive scheme.

Jarvis isn’t afraid to get into the mix either.

Another play calls for Bryant to set a pick on McCoy. The freshman

didn’t get the job done properly, so Jarvis assumes his role, springing his 67-year-old body into action to screen off McCoy. “That’s how you need to do it,” Jarvis says. ** * Jarvis decides to up the ante for the final few minutes of practice. The

first unit to score five points wins.

The activity level is now at a frantic pace, both offensively and

defensively. The ball is being whipped across the court like a plastic bag in

Mike Jarvis and his son Mike Jarvis II are not stopping practice as much to correct mistakes. This came after some players made the suggestion to let players learn on the fly.

a tornado. It’s finding its way to everyone — except the big men.

Dragan Sekelja is setting up on the block too far out to make an efficient

post move. Instead of calling out the point guards for not force feeding, Jarvis explains it’s the front court players’ responsibility to go after the ball.

“When we post,” Jarvis says with his outstretched arms, mimicking the

position the bigs need to have, “we should be looking for the ball.”

The final play of the scrimmage sums up the energy the Owls are

hoping will carry through when the season begins Nov. 11 at North

Carolina. Jackson Trapp pushes the ball down the court and threads a

pass down the middle to a cutting DeVonte Thornton. Thornton tries to scoop in a layup but is viciously swatted by transfer Justin Raffington.

Jarvis’ typical approach is tough love, but he’ll give props when they’re

due.

“Good pass, Jackson, good pass,” Jarvis says. “OK, c’mon guys, let’s

huddle up.”

After a few minutes of private discussion, the team puts their hands in

and yells, “together.”

Together is the only way a team which won 11 games last season will

recover to be at least competitive this year. The individual talent is young and raw, capable of scoring outbursts at any given moment.

Yet, if you listened hard enough to the closing huddle, you could hear

assistant coach Tim Kaine preaching to the players the only way to win consistently is to play tenacious defense. Top assistant coach Mike Jarvis

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II tells me soon after that this team needs to play solid defense, citing increased competitiveness within the conference with the likes of Western Kentucky, Middle

***

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Mike Jarvis calls junior forward Pablo Bertone (left) the player he trusts the most. Last year Bertone averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Tennessee and North Texas lurking on the schedule.

The main man in charge carries such poise, Jarvis doesn’t bother mentioning

other schools to his team. It’s Jarvis’ unflappable confidence that could enable this team to exceed expectations.

As Jarvis struts out of the gym, clipboard lodged under his armpit, he seemingly

has no care in the world.

“Sup, babe,” he asks me.

If he continues to mold his new squad the right way, after the end of this season,

what’s up will be national respect for Jarvis and his Owls.

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Nov. 6, 2012

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