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Florida Atlantic exceded many expectations last season,their first season in the SBC, finishing third in the Sun Belt East (16-15, 10-8 SBC), and managing a SBC tourney victory beofre bowing out in the quarterfinals to Western Kentucky. First year head coach Rex Walters took over the program after only a year of assistant coaching experience, sitting on the bench next to Matt Doherty who left FAU after just one season for the 401K program offered him by the Financial Institution of Dallas. Walters has an impressive pedigree. He was named Big 8 Male Athlete of the Year in 1993 and was a 1st round NBA selection of the New Jersey Nets. He had an under-impressive NBA career, but did learn from the likes of Chuck Daly, Larry Brown and Pat Riley. Walters' struggles were perhaps due to feeling that he wasn't even the best Rex in the NBA during the mid-90s...but that’s pure speculation.

Projected Starters:

  • PG. Sean Alarcon 6'3" 195 Sr.
  • SG. Paul Graham III 6'5" 190 Jr.
  • SF. Derrick Simmons 6'6" 210 Sr.
  • PF. Carlos Monroe 6'9" 245 Jr.
  • C. Jeff Parmer 6'8" 235 Sr.

Frontcourt: Being the newest member of the SBC, perhaps FAU didn't get the memo; in the Sun Belt you're not supposed to have a deep and talented frontcourt. Carlos Monroe (6'9" 245 Jr.) had a monster sophomore campaign, averaging just shy of a double-double (18.4ppg, 9.4rpg) while shooting 60% from the field. Monroe also had a knack for stepping his game up against the better SBC opponents, dropping 29 against USA. One of the biggest positives for Monroe is that he didn't foul out of a single game last season. Monroe earned 2nd team all SBC honors and should be an early candidate for SBC player of the year. Jeff Parmer (6'8" 235) is a very capable compliment to Monroe. Parmer, who originally signed with Providence, averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 boards in his first season with the Owls, and lead the team in blocks (24). Derrick Simmons (6'6" 215) started half of the Owls games last season and was an important role player for Walters, contributing 7.3 points. Two newcomers have a chance to make an impact up front for the Owls. Brett Royster (6'8" 225 Fr.) is a recognizable name in this area. The Arlington Martin graduate was a TX top 100 prospect and helped lead his AAU team to victory at the Great American Shootout in Denton. Sammy Hernandez (6'5" 235 Jr.) will be eligible in January 08 after transferring from George Mason. Hernandez played a significant role in George Mason's Cinderella run to the 06 Final Four in primarily a defensive role for the undersized Patriots against the likes of North Carolina and Florida. If nothing else, Hernandez brings an understanding of how to win...and how to win against top notch competition in college hoops biggest stage. His experiences in the tourney may be enough to merit a scholarship for a school trying to get on the basketball map such as FAU. Big body Seydou Kone (6'9" 250 Sr.) and incoming freshman Jamal Owens (6'6" 225) round out the Owl frontcourt.

Backcourt: Now...the question marks begin. Gone from the FAU backcourt are prolific scorer DeAndre Rice (6'3" 200) and steady floor and locker-room leader Brent Crews (6'3" 210). Rice led the Owls in scoring (20.5ppg) and finished with second team all SBC honors. Crews finished third in the Sun Belt in assists per game (4.8) and had the second and third best assists seasons in FAU basketball history. "It won't be easy" was Walter's take on replacing Rice and Crews. Paul Graham III (6'5" 190 Jr) is the most proven of the returning guards. Graham had a very successful, well-rounded sophomore season (14.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.3apg) in a third fiddle role to Monroe and Rice. His ability to raise his game as more of an offensive focus will be a big key to FAU's success. Crews departure leaves the point guard spot as the biggest concern for Walters and at the very least a four horse race at this point. Sean Alarcon (6'3" 195 Sr.) has the size and experience to be the leader in the clubhouse at this point. Alarcon made 13 starts last season, many of those while Rice was out, and contributed 3.4 points and 1.2 assists per contest. Avery Holley (6'0" 175 Soph.) had an impact as a freshman (5.3ppg, 2.6apg) and proved clutch by knocking down 2 game sealing free throws in a January game against UALR. JUCO transfer Carderro Nwoji (6'0" 175) and sophomore Eni Cuna (6'2" 180) will also see time running the offense. Three sophomore guards, Sanchez Hughley (6'4" 225), Xavier Perkins (6'4" 225) and Enrique Rodriguez (6'2" 190) made minimal contributions as freshmen but give Walters' backcourt depth.

Summary: Walters' frontcourt is set. Monroe is a legit talent...and to surround him with the likes of Parmer, Hernandez, Simmons and Royster in an under-sized conference like the Sun Belt will make the Owls very competitive. The performance of the FAU backcourt will determine whether this team is a contender or content with third place and an early tournament exit. Graham put up very nice numbers as the third option last season...matching and surpassing those numbers as the second scoring option will be difficult. Crews graduation leaves the Owls very inexperienced at the point. Rex Walters' will have a long leash in Boca Raton, and fans are excited with their initial success last season, however this poor guard play may neutralize their clear advantage on the inside and make Carlos Monroe subject to constant double and triple teams. Best case is another 3rd place in the SBC East and the hopeful arrival of backcourt help for Walters' next recruiting class.

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FAU made a heckuva run at WKU in the 2nd round of LY tournament (after having beaten WKU at their place in the regular season). In the tournament game vs WKU FAU was carried by Rice Monroe and Crews, who scored 64 of their team's 81 pts. That team had no visible depth; only 8 guys played and 3 of the 8 scored a total of 2 pts. Unfortunately for FAU two of those guys who carried the team on their backs are now gone.

But there is still Monroe. Make no mistake, Monroe can carry a game if his guards give him a chance. He has moves, shooting touch and can bound, and as was pointed out he doesn't foul out, which speaks to his defensive ability.

In that game tournament game, which is the only time I saw FAU last season, Alarcon was nearly invisible. The games he started were early season games, and his playing time diminished as the season went on. If he is to be the point for this year, he must make substantial improvement if his team is to be a contender. One would think the other guys will be given every opportunity to become the team's pg. The other seniors (Simmons and Parmer) must also raise the level of their game.

The wild card may be Walters. He looks like an excellent coach and perhaps he can coax some improvement from his guards. He'll need to, he has a lot of bodies who ain't done a thing in the past.

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  • 3 months later...

COACH AND PROGRAM

Florida Atlantic Owls

Last Season 16-15 (.516)

Conference Record 10-8 (3rd)

Starters Lost/Returning 2/3

Coach Rex Walters (Kansas '93)

Record At School 16-15 (1 year)

Career Record 16-15 (1 year)

RPI Last 5 years 291-299-229-211-155

Florida Atlantic's leap up to the Sun Belt Conference was more of hop, skip and a jump. The Owls went 10-8 in their debut season after moving up from the Atlantic Sun Confer-ence, making first-year coach Rex Walters look like he was born to be on a bench. The victories were the third-most ever by a first-year Sun Belt team, and FAU added a tournament victory before losing a hard-fought battle to Western Kentucky, 86-81 in the quarterfinals. The Owls won eight of their last 12 to finish 16-15, including wins against South Alabama and those Hilltoppers.

"We took steps in the right direction," Walters said. "We had some issues throughout the year, but we played some real good basketball in February and March."

PLAYERS

So much for stage fright. Imagine what Walters and FAU can do with a point guard. While it's easy to underestimate the value of outgoing Brent Crews, who averaged 5.4 points, 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds, he was as much a point forward as he was a dynamic playmaker. Walters could have one in Carderro Nwoji. The 5-11 junior averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds for Redlands (Okla.) Community College, which went 29-2 last season. A na-tive of Wichita, Kansas, Nwoji was impressed with Walters' Jayhawk pedigree.

"I know he can really defend and push the basketball up the court," Walters said, "but he has to get to the point where it's instinct rather than thinking." Paul Graham (14.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg) had a solid sophomore season, but the 6-4 junior's numbers could expand in the wake of DeAndre Rice's departure. Rice averaged 20.5 points and Walters said he was the best offensive player in the league. Graham's versatility was impressive. He played all three backcourt slots, averaged 3.3 assists and made 37.6 percent of his three-pointers (41-of-109).

"Paul made significant improvements in his first two years," said Walters, who played seven years in the NBA and internationally for two years. "He's added some size and is great offensively in transition. Ideally I'd like to lock him into one position, but he's shown the ability to play all three guard spots." Adequately replacing Crews is no given. He finished third in the Sun Belt in assists per game (4.8) and had the second-best assist total in FAU history. Other guards vying for minutes are 6-3 senior Sean Alarcron (3.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg), 6-0 sophomore Avery Holley (5.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg) and red-shirt freshmen Sanchez Hughley and Xavier Perkins, each 6-4.

FAU has the league's premier frontcourt player in 6-8, 245-pound junior Carlos Monroe (18.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg). He shot 59.7 percent from the field as a sophomore. What should be one of the more physical frontcourts includes 6-8, 235-pound junior Jeff Parmer (9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and 6-5, 230-pound Sammy Hernandez, a junior transfer who played a meaningful role (2.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) on George Mason's Final Four team in 2006. "Sammy is a winner," Walters said. "He expects to win every time out. He's a great post defender and he's strong down low. He's really going to help our team rebounding."

Derrick Simmons (7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), a 6-6 senior, is another experienced frontcourt player, as is 6-9, 250-pound senior Seydou Kone (3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Two freshmen who could help are 6-8, 225-pound Brett Royster (Arlington, Texas) and 6-6, 225-pound Jamal Owens (Hollywood, Fla.). "[Royster and Owens] are high-level athletes," Walters said. "We hope Jamal will grow into a similar style player to Jeff Parmer, a guy who can play down low or step outside and handle the basketball. Brett is a tenacious shot blocker who has worked hard offensively and continued to improve. If healthy, both will have a significant impact."

Teams might make the Owls prove they can beat them from the perimeter. With Rice gone (68 treys) and the team apparently top heavy in the frontcourt, FAU might contend with a decent amount of zone defense early in the conference schedule. Walters will enjoy a special night when FAU visits Allen Fieldhouse to play his alma mater, Kansas. The Owls also visit Boston College and Rhode Island and will host USF.

"I think you have to play the high majors," Walters said, "to show the team what its like to be at that level, which is where we're trying to get." Certainly, the Owls appear to be on the right path. FAU Arena was given a $10 million overhaul during the summer. It included renovating locker rooms, restrooms and the lobby, which will feature a new team store. Chair-back seating and a new scoreboard were also added.

"Our coaching staff gained a real selling point this summer," Walters said of his refurbished home. "A lot of very exciting things are happening at FAU thanks to [athletic director] Craig Angelos and [president] Frank Brogan. They did their job, and now it's time for us to do ours." If Walters can find a dependable point guard, the best thing about the new facility could be the team playing in it.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: B

BENCH/DEPTH: B+

FRONTCOURT: A+

INTANGIBLES: B+

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