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

[Deuce2223]

Deuce my man! Glad to see you have found your way here. When it cons to ‘chising, this is the place to be.

I cannot believe you are still playing CH2k8 lol. It’s the game that I have the most hours played in my life but I’ve tried recently to play it again and I just can’t go it. More power to you!

Still my favorite game.. I have found that there is alot more interaction and follows here vs OS.. I do miss your St John's legacies from back in the day.. I also still remember your CAP player being one of my favorite players to play with back in the day

To be honest I don't really struggle with the gameplay because I don't really play any of the NBA games.

[Deuce2223]

IN-SEASON RECRUITING PERIOD COMES TO A CLOSE

R2 and the UNF Osprey came away from the in-season recruiting period empty handed. With 3 scholarships to offer, Coach Derozan was looking to add a potential starting PG and Center as well as add another scoring threat who could potentially play both SG/SF.

R2 "Typically with my offense I prefer to find a guy who is that 6'6-6'8 who can shoot the 3 and play both the 2 and yet also be a backup at the 3 spot and in a small lineup even go at the 4

We felt like we found that player in 6'8 SF Jesse McCray from Tamarac FL. Listed as a 3* Recruit, McCray had a solid season for "More Bounce" in the ABL this summer averaging 16.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 SPG well connecting on 13/30 from 3PT (.433). However at the end of the in-season recruiting deadline, McCray made it known he would be attending Florida Gulf Coast

R2 has narrowed his search at PG to 3* Recruit Florentino Blanchard. Listed at 6'0 177lbs from Palm Bay Florida, Blanchard was ranked #113 Overall and the #38 PG in this year's class. This pass summer playing for the Defenders in the ABL, he averaged 13.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.8 SPG and made 20/42 (.476) from 3PT. Blanchard currently has FSU #1 but they have yet to offer well UNF is currently holding at a 87% commitment rate.

R2's search for a starting center landed him on 3* Manny Dupre.. Listed at 6'9 255lbs from Jacksonville FL, Dupre is listed as the #414 Overall Recruit in the class and the #38 Center. Like Blanchard his #1 choice would be FSU but UNF is #2 and has moved to a 88% commitment rate.

Dupre put up solid # for the Long Range during the ABL this summer averaging 7.4 PPG 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.9 BPG.


AROUND THE NATION RECAP

This year's Class featured (25) 5* Recruits and somewhat surprisingly all 25 have signed and made early commitments leading 4* SF Anton Assel (#26 Overall/#5 SF) as the highest recruit in the nation currently unsigned.

It doesn't mean Assell doesn't have a long list of teams interested. The Fremont CA native currently has UCLA as his #1 choice followed by Nevada (offering) UNLV, Oregon and Arizona.

Duke currently leads the race for the #1 Class signing a pair of 5* AA early.

6'7 PF Raynell Howard (#3 Overall/#1 PF) was also Virginia's Mr BB.
5'8 PG Kris Carpenter (#5 Overall/#3 PG)

However Florida is hot on their heels with a pair of 5* AA also joining their roster next season.

6'3 SG Dana Buchanan (#7 Overall/#1 SG) was Georgia's Mr BB
6'4 SG Will Dennis (#9 Overall/#2 SG) was Florida's Mr BB

Michigan State is the other outside contender for #1 and is the only other school to also have landed (2) 5* Recruits

6'1 PG Britton Lambert (#12 Overall/#5 PG) AA, Kentucky Mr BB
6'8 PF Percy Acker (#13 Overall/#3 PG) AA, Michigan Mr BB.

This year's #1 Overall Recruit was 5'11 PG Alekis Burnett.. A McDonalds AA and Mississippi Mr BB signed with Ohio State

Coach Few continues to recruit some of the best players to Gonzaga and the Zag's land 5* 6'6 PG Shammel Foster.. A McDonald AA and Washington Mr BB,, Foster was a ABL Summer league MVP averaging 11.1 PPG 10.9 RPG, 2.5 SPG and 3.0 BPG this summer playing for the PNW Sockeyes.

[Deuce2223]

UNF COMES UP SHORT ON THE ROAD!!!

North Florida extended their winning streak to 7 games opening up a 3 game road trip with a win over FAU on Tuesday night but the win streak was snapped by Miami on Thursday night and for the 2nd time this season the Osprey lost 2 straight as they fell to Florida State the following night..

Now (7-4) on the season UNF will look to close up it's non-conference play with a tournament playing in the UCF Holiday Classic next week.

Here is a recap of the past 3 games.

@ FAU (Final Score UNF-98 FAU-79

North Florida had it's 2nd best offensive showing of the season taking a (47-38) lead into the locker room, UNF came out on fire in the 2nd half scoring 51 points extending their lead to the 19 point win.

Freshman Dominic Root was dialed in from beyond the arc going 6/7 from 3PT to finish with a team high 24 points. Senior Rayshawn Sidibe added 20 points on 8/10 FG and 4/7 FT well SR PG Kaylen Doss had a team high 8 assists.

UNF lost starter Zam Graves.. The Freshman starting PF was replaced in the lineup by fellow Freshman Dramane Carter who finished the night with 9 pts 9 rebs and 3 steals.

With Graves on the bench, Coach Dezoran ran a 8 man rotation getting 32 points from his reserves C. Thiero (10 pts), C. Lough (9 pts 9 reb) and J. Thomas (13 pts).

@ Miami (Final Score Miami-62 UNF-55)

Miami used it's size and speed to control and slow down the North Florida Offense. Just 2 days after scoring 98 points ,the Osprey managed just 23 points in the 1st half as everyone struggled.. Root who was coming off a 24 pt performance shooting 6/7 from 3PT was just 1/5 and managed just 5 points.

R. Sidibe led the team with 13 pts and 9 rebs

@ Florida State (Final Score FSU-93 UNF-77

The Seminoles came into the game unranked with a (9-4) record but on paper were the best team UNF has faced since beating Florida last month. and their season opener against Arkansas.

FSU dominated the 1st half (53-28) as the backcourt duo of PG W. Blackgrove and SG J. Larmond took over.. UNF would play FSU almost straight up in the 2nd half (40-39).

Larmond led all scorers with 29 pts and added 7 rebounds and 5 assists earning POG honors.

Rayshawn Sidibe put up a double double in the loss with 15 pts and 14 rebounds and Freshman Dramane Carter still starting at PF for the injured Z. Graves had a career high 16 pts and added 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

[Deuce2223]

UNF BRINGS HOME 1ST PLACE

North Florida closed out their non-conference schedule and 2007 with a pair of wins in the UCF Holiday Classic, earning their 8th and 9th win of the season as they close out non-conference play at (9-4) Overall.

UNF played UT-Pan American in the opening round and came away with a (72-65) victory UT-Pan Am led at the half (41-39) as they hit a buzzer beater but managed just 24 points in the 2nd half finishing the game 9/22 from deep.

Senior Rayshawn Sidibe continues to produce in the post and has taken over as the Osprey's #1 option on offense as he leads the team with 16 points and 7 rebounds, but Freshman Dramane Carter wasn't far off from taking the POG honors as he continues to be a great addition to the starting lineup finishing with 14 points 9 rebounds and 2 block shots. Freshman SG Dominic Root added 12 pts hitting 2/3 from deep well K. Doss lead the team with 7 assists.


UNF took on the host team in a rematch with UCF. North Florida defeated UCF back on November 27th (78-72) but the Golden Knights struggled on offense tonight scoring just 21 points in the 2nd half as they fall (70-59)

UCF held Sidibe short of his 6th double double of the season as he finishes with 8 points and 9 rebounds on 4/11 shooting, but they didn't stop Dramane Carter who went to the Free throw line 15 times knocking down 8 shots to finish with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Osprey got a career night off their bench from Senior Cedrick Louh.. The 6'6 Cameroon native scored a season/career high 18 points to lead all scorers shooting 8/12 FG well playing 18 minutes.

[Deuce2223]

TEAM REPORT

PLAYER STATS
SR R. Sidibe- 13.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 24 MPG 13/13 games started
FR D. Root-11.1 PPG 32/57 (56%) 3PT, 24 MPG 13/13 games started
SR K. Doss- 10.1 PPG 5.5 APG, 1.6 SPG 15/37 (40%) 3PT 26 MPG 13/13 games started
FR D. Carter-9.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG .8 BPG, 19.5 MPG 5/13 games started
FR Z. Graves-8.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG 17.5 MPG, 8/13 games started
JR R. Garza-6.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 14/40 (35%) 3PT, 23.5 MPG, 13 games started
SR C. Lough-6.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 12 MPG
JR C. Thiero-5.8 PPG 1.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 12/35 (34%) 3PT, 23 MPG
SO J. Thomas-4.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG 1.0 AGP 8/25 (32%) 3PT 13.5 MPG
JR E. Bowen-.1.8 PPG, 4/11 (36%) 3PT, 6.6 MP

INJURY NEWS

Freshman Zeb Graves has been cleared to return to the court after missing the past 5 games. Fellow Freshman Dramane Carter however has played well his absence and appears to be ready to maybe continue to push Graves and Garza for more PT.

RECRUITING NEWS

UNF got dealt another big blow in recruiting. Coach Dezoran was pushing hard for PG Florentino Blanchard (90% interest) but the 3* PG from Palm Bay Florida was offered a scholarship by FSU and has officially moved the Osprey to his #2 option.

R2

"We had a long talk and once FSU offered the scholarship we knew we had no chance of landing Blanchard. It hurts and leaves us to scramble to find a potential starting PG for next season

"

One player who is rumored to be on the North Florida radar is 2* PG Othello Ozier. Ozier listed at 5'9 162 lbs is unranked but is a local high school kid playing his basketball right here in Jacksonville. This past summer well playing in the ABL, Ozier averaged 5.4 PPG and made 6/16 3PT attempts.

Well Blanchard is officially off the table, it appears UNF is very close to getting it's first commitment of the season in 3* 6'9 Many Dupre. Dupre is another local kid from Jacksonville and is rated #414 Overall and the #38 Center in this year's class. Like Blanchard FSU leads his list of Top-5 schools but the Seminoles have yet to offer and appears to maybe be out of scholarship offers. Dupre is 90% committed/interest and would likely be the Osprey's starting center next season.

It appears that Coach Dezaron is using his World connections after spending the past 4 seasons in Africa working as a scout. Reports are UNF is close to offering a scholarship to 6'7 PF/C Christiano Okpalobi or Center 6'10 Christiano Ngoundu. Both players from from Cameroon and are unranked by all scouting agencies.

[Deuce2223]

A PREVIEW TO THE A-SUN

With the arrival of January comes the start of Conference play as all teams move on from Non-Conference play and will start A-Sun play as they prepare for the end of season tournament and a chance at a berth in the Field of 64.

UNF at (9-4) is one of just 2 teams that goes into conference play with a record above .500 (Mercer is 8-3).

At the start of the year East Tennessee State(73 Overall) was considered the favorite to win the conference but the Buccaneers finished just 4-8 and however 3 of those loss's were less then 3 points including a loss to Oklahoma State and Syracuse. They also own a win over St John.

Mercer (72 Overall) appears to be the new favorite.. The Bears opened up their season with a win over Top-25 ranked USC (71-63) and they have wins over Boston College, Loyola Marymount, and James Madison.. Their 3 loss's were Alabama (77-72), Auburn (86-76) and Georgia Southern (59-55).

PLAYER PREVIEW

Campbell's 6'5 SO SF Allan Ward (76 overall) is pushing E. Tennessee State JR SG Elijah Cuffe (79 overall) and Mercer SO PG Jessie Bates (73 overall) currently for the potential A-Sun POY Award.

Ward comes into conference play averaging 18.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 2.1 SPG.

Cuffee is currently averaging 17.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 2.2 SPG well shooting 28/74 38% from 3PT

Bates on the other hand is averaging 17.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.7 SPG well shooting 28% from 3PT (18/66)

**If the season ended now, UNF Senior Center Rayshawn Sidebe would most likely make the 1st team All-Conference as he is the only bigman scoring in double digits Freshman Domnic Root is currently on pace to make the A-Sun All-Freshman team and could be joined by teammates Z. Graves and D. Carter.

[Deuce2223]

JANUARY UPDATE

North Florida went 6-2 in the month of January to improve to (15-6) Overall on the season and take a early atop the A-Sun standings. UNF started the month with their 2nd 5-game win streak of the season including a win over crosstown rival Jacksonville U. Here is a small recap of each game.

VS Florida Gulf Coast (Won 85-68)
Tied 42-42 at the half, UNF dominated the 2nd half 43-26.. Star SG Dominic Root left the game early playing just 2 minutes leading to the Osprey bench to produce 48 points outscoring the starting unit. Senior Rayshawn Sieble still led the team with 16 points and 7 rebounds but the bench had 3 players in double digits led by 6'6 SO SF Joe Thomas (13 pts) who appears to be the one who gets the bulk of the minutes at SG with Root out.

VS Stetson (Won 71-67)
UNF led 33-31 at the half and scored the final 6 points of the game to pull out the victory. Sidlbe led the team once again with 17 pts well backup center C. Louh added 11 pts and 6 rebounds off the bench. PF's Z. Graves (8/11) and D. Carter (6/10) combined for 14 pts and 22 rebounds.. Joe Thomas got the start at SG with Root out and well he was 0/3 from 3pt he did manage to lead the team with 3 steals.

@ Mercer (Won 82-69)
UNF led 37-36 at the half but the Bears went just 3/21 from deep including just 1/9 in the 2nd half allowing UNF to build on their lead and hold it. Rayshawn Sidlbe picked up his 7th double double of the season with 17 pts and 12 rebounds well Freshman Dramane Carter scored a season high 20 points off the bench. Backup Center Cedrick Louh finished 1 rebound short of a double double with 10 pts and 9 reb.

@ Kennesaw State (Won 70-67)
The Owls led 33-27 at the break but UNF battled back including a 3pt with less then 5 seconds to play to win the game. Joe Thomas still starting at SG was the hero of the night as he scored 14 points on a perfect 3/3 from 3pt. Rayshawn Sidlbe led the team with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

VS Jacksonville (Won 77-70)
The Dolphins led 40-39 at the break but and despite hitting 10/28 from deep couldn't hold onto the lead as UNF battled back in the 2nd half behind a dominating night by the Osprey's frontcourt which accounted for 54 points 27 rebounds and 4 block shots

Backup Center C. Lough (16 pts 7 reb) Starting Center R. Sidlbe (14 pts 7 reb) Starting PF Z. Graves (14 pts 9 reb) backup PF D. Carter (12 pts 4 reb 3 blks)

VS SC Upstate (Loss 85-55)
UNF only trailed 40-38 at the half but was only able to produce (27) 2nd half points finishing the game 1/9 from 3PT. The Spartans on the other hand hit 7/16 from deep and got 41 points from their bench.

Freshman PF Zam Graves scored a season/career high 25 pts in the loss. Dominic Root returned from injury but managed just 5 points

@ East Tennessee State (Loss 79-77)
It was the battle for 1st place and UNF came up short . Trailing 40-35 at the half, North Florida actually led with under a minute to play but ETSU never gave up as SG PG C. Gansey hits the game winner and earns POG honors with 19 points. JR SG Elijah Cuffe who many figure will win the A-SUN POY Award finished with just 5 points in the win.

Dominic Root led UNF with 18 points and hit 6/7 from deep well R. Sidble added 16 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

VS Gardner-Webb (Won 82-79)

UNF managed to snap the 2 game losing streak knocking down a pair of FT's in the final seconds of the game... The game was back and forth from start to finish. North Florida had 4 of the 5 starters finish in double digits and finished the night 9/18 from 3PT.

K. Doss-14 pts 6 assists 3 steals 2/4 3PT
D. Root-13 pts 3/5 3PT
R. Garza-10 pts 2/3 3PT
R. Sidlbe-11 pts game

Freshman Dramane Carter continues to give Coach Derozan a solid 6th man as he produces 9 pts 7 rebs 2 ast 3 stls and 3 blks.

[Deuce2223]

FEBRUARY UPDATE

North Florida closed out their regular season going .500 over their final 8 games including a loss to Florida Gulf Coast in their final regular season game finishing just 1 win shy of a 20 win season in Coach Ryne Dezorans first season at (19-10)) Overall. The Osprey's 10-6 record was good enough for 3rd place in the A-Sun Standings behind Campbell (11-5) and Regular Season Champ Eastern Tennessee State (13-3)

Here is a brief recap of the 8 games.

vs Campbell (Won 84-80)

UNF built a 45-33 lead in the 1st Quarter but Campbell battled back in the 2nd half outscoring UNF 47-39.. However North Florida managed to score the final 6 points as SR PG Kaylen Doss hits a pair of 3PT first giving UNF the lead and then cementing it with the second.

Freshman Zam Graves led the team with 17 pts well Rayshawn Sidlbe and Ronny Garza both added 14 pts each.

@ Lipscomb (Loss 63-62)

UNF trailed 41-31 at the half and tried to rally but came up short in a heartbreaker. Ronny Garza lead the starters with 14 points in the loss well Cedrick Lough matched him for the team high with 14 points off the bench. Senior Center Rayshawn Sidlbe managed to pull down 10 rebounds but finished 1 point shy of the double double as he scores 9 points on 3/12 FG and 3/6 FT.

@ Belmont (Won 88-81)

UNF earned the sweep over the Bruins with a big 2nd half. Trailing 44-41 at the break the Osprey outscored the Bruins 47-37 in the 2nd half despite Belmont connecting on 10/27 from deep. UNF had players in double digits led by Graves 17 points well Sidlbe got his 8th double double of the season with 13 pts and 12 rebounds. Dramane Carter had 16 pts 5 reb 2 asst and 2 blks off the bench and C. Lough added 13 pts for his 2nd straight game with double digits.

@ Jacksonsville (Loss 102-76)

The Dolphins got their revenge against the crosstown rivals scoring a season high 102 points Jacksonville had 5 players in double digits including a pair of players who both ended with double doubles.. JR PF Dyron Peterson (19 pts 10 reb) and Freshman Kent Vega (18 pts 15 reb) JR SG Francisco Barnes had 16 points off the bench hitting 4/5 from 3PT.

UNF was just 8/22 from 3PT as Dominic Root goes 2/7 scoring just 8 points. Graves and Sidlbe led the team with 12 points each.

vs Kennesaw State (Loss 77-59)

Tied 32-32 at the half the Owls had a huge 2nd half outscoring North Florida 45-27. SR SG Jeromy Abellard led the way earning POG honors with 28 points and 7 rebounds hitting 6/13 from deep.

Rayshawn Sidlbe had his 9th double double of the year with 18 points and 10 rebounds well Freshman Zam Graves adds 12 points on 4/10 FG in the loss. Dominic Root continues to struggle shooting as he hits just 2/9 from 3PT scoring just 6 points.

vs Mercer (Won 77-76)

For the 4th time this season UNF managed to stop their losing streak at 2 games as they pull off the season sweep of Mercer. Trailing 42-36 at the half and struggle from 3PT, North Florida turned to Senior Rayshawn Sidlbe who scored a team high 20 points including the final 4 from the Free throw line. Sidlbe also led the team with 9 rebounds. Kelyn Doss had 10 assists in the win but managed to go just 1/4 from 3PT.

@ Stetson (Won 85-57)

North Florida led 47-38 at the break and had their best defensive showing in the 2nd half holding the Mad Hatters to just 19 points in the blowout win.

UNF had 6 players (3 starters/3 bench) players score in double digits

K. Doss-15 pts 4 asst 1/1 3PT
Z. Graves-11 pts 11 reb 3 stls
R. Sidlbe-12 pts 4 rebs
D. Carter-13 pts 9 reb 3 ast 4 blks
J. Thomas-10 pts 2/4 3PT
C. Lough-10 pts

**Dominic Root left the game with yet another injury.. He has a strained achilles and is expected to miss the rest of the season which happens to be the A-Sun tourney and possible NCAA tournament should UNF win the conference bid.

@ Florida Gulf Coast (Loss 80-77)

With 19 wins was really hoping to earn 20 just in case we fall short in the tournament (Want that attribute point for a 20 win season).

Trailed 41-39 at the half and had a shot to tie the game and force OT but Ronny Garza's attempt was off.. (I was 4/6 until the shot).

Sidlbe led the way with his 10th double double of the season (19 pts 13 reb) well backup center C. Lough added 17 pts off the bench.

The Eagles were led by JR SG Dlae Styls who had a career/season high 23 pts on 5/12 3PT.. He entered the game averaging 9.5 PPG.

[Deuce2223]

FINAL A-SUN STANDINGS/TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

As expected. East Tennessee State did indeed win the regular season crown with a 13-3 record finishing the year 17-11 Overall.. They will be the #1 seed and the favorite to win the A-Sun automatic bid.

Campbell ended up 2nd.. The Fighting Camels finished with a 11-5 record in conference play and a 16-13 record Overall.

North Florida (10-6) and Stetson (10-6) tied for 3rd place but the Osprey won both head to head matchups.

Belmont and SU Upstate tied with a (9-7) record for 5th/6th place well Mercer and Florida Gulf Coast tied with 8-8 records to earn the 7th/8th seeds.

Jacksonville (6-10), Lipscomb (4-12), Gardner-Webb (4-12) and Kennesaw State (4-12) will not participate in this years tournament.


#1 ETSU will face #8 FGCU
#2 Campbell will face #7 Mercer
#3 UNF will face #6 Belmont
#4 Stetson will face #5 SC Upstate.


UNF faced Belmont just 1 time back on Feb 9th and came away with a (88-81) victory, however despite both teams finishes and the earlier head to head matchup, the Bruins are still considered the favorites as they were originally picked to push ETSU for the regular season crown.

Belmont was last year's A-Sun winner and has played in the NCAA tournament twice in school history.

However with their 20th win on the line and a chance to advance to potentially play in the schools first ever NCAA tournament look for Coach Dezoran to push his team to give 110%.

[Deuce2223]

NORTH FLORIDA MAKES SCHOOL HISTORY!!

The University of North Florida has made school history earning a 3 game sweep in the A-Sun Tournament, punching their ticket to the school's first ever NCAA appearance..


UNF defeated Belmont in the opening round with a 69-66 victory getting 2 huge 3pt shots from Walkon Junior Edmund Bowden. Bowden who averages less then 4 minutes a game still managed to enter the game with a 2.1 PPG and made the most of his 5 minutes to night

R2

"With Dominic Root out, we needed someone to step up and hit some shoots from deep and keep the Bruins Defense on the outside and let our guy's work the post. I am proud of Edmund. He has worked hard all season and has proved he is capable of hitting shots when we need them"

UNF took on Campbell in the Semi's and jumped out to a commanding 42-22 lead in the 1st half and cruised to a 78-57 victory securing their spot in the Championship game. Cameroon native Cedrick Louh led the team off the bench with a career high 18 points well both Zam Graves (11 pts 13 reb) and Rayshawn Sidlbe (11 pts 15 reb) added double double's in the win.

In the Championship game, took on SC Upstate as regular season champion ETSU lost in the opening round to FGCU. The Spartans however struggled as the Osprey put together one of their best games of the season. North Florida led (51-34) at the half and cruised to a 98-67 victory coming just 2 points shy of hitting the century mark.

Zam Graves led the team with 23 points well Sidlbe added 20 points and a team high 9 rebounds. Ronny Garza (13 pts 3/5) and Joe Thomas (11 pts 3/7) kept the defense honest on the outside and Lough (16 pts 7 reb) and JR PG Carson Thiero (10 pts 2/2 3PT) both had solid games off the bench..