Men's basketball carries momentum toward playoffs

At the start of Winter Break, just weeks before entering the heart of conference play, the state of the 5-3 men's basketball team looked in flux.

With Sunshine State Conference play presenting one of the most grueling schedules in Division II Basketball, the team entered into a crucial transition period for their season.

The Tritons entered the University of Tampa Classic at the end of December drawn against the unbeaten, 25th ranked team in the nation, Winston-Salem State University. The team was unfazed by the challenge and upset the favored WSSU Rams by 24 points with a final score of 75-51.

This shocking victory became a catalyst and a rallying point for the Tritons as they entered conference play. As of January 31 the Tritons have gone 6-2 during the month of January, including thrilling last-second victories against rivals Rollins College, Saint Leo and Florida Tech.

Using tight pressure man defense and a fast paced, run-the-floor offense, Eckerd has been able to put together scoring runs that allow them to pull ahead in games. In their latest contest against Rollins, the Tritons held the Tars, who were tied for 1st in the SSC, to 10 points in the first half and led by as many as 30 points.

The breakout player of the month was clearly junior forward Darren Mack. Mack has been a driving force for the Tritons during January, establishing himself as a key contributor off the bench. Mack averaged 13 points a game in the month of January alone and shot almost 60 percent from the floor.

Also standing out for the Tritons has been senior forward Lance Kearse who is averaging 16.7 points and six rebounds per game, shooting almost 50 percent from the floor and over 40 percent from three-point range.

In the back court, Senior Wayne Sears Jr. is leading the way with 12.7 points and three rebounds per game, shooting over 50 percent and leads the team with 32 steals.

Looking ahead, the Tritons currently stand alone as number one in the Sunshine State Conference with an overall record of 15-5 and an 8-3 record against conference opponents. They have three home games left at the McArthur Center before the conference tournament in March, and quarterfinals will most likely see Eckerd with a home game before the semifinals and finals are held at Florida Southern.

Eckerd was the runner-up in last year's tourney, falling to #1-seeded Rollins College. At this point the Tritons looks poised to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008 and the seventh time under Head Coach Tom Ryan, who is in his 16th season as head coach.

The deepest run in the tournament occurred in the ‘02-'03 season when the Tritons reached the Elite Eight. This team looks capable of making it just as far this year, able to beat just about anyone on any given day.

The remaining regular season home games will be against Palm Beach Atlantic at 4 pm on Feb. 11, against Barry University at 4 pm on Feb. 18 and against Lynn University at 4 pm on Feb. 25.