MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University men's basketball team hosts Florida Tech 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Health & Sports Center.
The game will air on the Buccaneers Broadcast Network with Danny Rabinowitz handling the call. Fans can interact with the team in Bucky's Cove outside the gym following the game.
Buccaneers coach Butch Estes has long been impressed with the Panthers' athleticism. It starts with 6-foot-6 junior forward Corbin Jackson, who is second in the Sunshine State Conference in rebounding (9.3) and 12th in scoring (13.4). He also ranks third in the country in blocked shots (52). Panthers guards Jermaine Jackson (14.1) and Chris Carter (13.7) are also among the league's top scorers.
"Florida Tech is a dangerous team to play because of their athleticism and ability to score at all five positions," Bucs assistant coach Ryan Saunders said. "They are going to be hungry for a win. We expect them to play very hard so our guys must be ready."
Barry has athletes itself. Junior forward Yunio Barrueta is third in the league in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (8.6). Senior guard Deric Hill leads the SSC in assists (8.1) and is second in steals (2.6). Senior guard Juan Ferrales is tied for 14th in scoring (12.4), and junior guard Anders Haas is 15th (12.2). Senior forward Jevoni Robinson is fourth in rebounds (7.2) and sixth in blocks (1.3).
But there is more to this game than just athleticism. It's about grit and determination. It's about defending the home court for the Buccaneers. Barry is 7-1 at home this season. Florida Tech is 2-2 on the road.
Last year the Bucs needed overtime to beat the Panthers in Miami Shores.
"They jumped on us here last year, and we had to fight back to win a close game," Saunders said. "This year, we must get off to a better start, much like we did against Palm Beach Atlantic (Saturday) in the first half. We're going to have to bring our A game defensively, and will need contributions from everyone on the offensive side."
GAME NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: Barry beat Palm Beach Atlantic in its first home game of 2015, despite being outrebounded for the first time this year ... Yunio Barrueta had 28 points and 10 rebounds ... Coach Butch Estes won his 300th career game at a four-year school.
SERIES RECORD: Barry is 31-25 all-time against the Panthers ... The Bucs beat Florida Tech, 96-92, in OT last year in Miami Shores.
EYES ON OPPONENTS: The Panthers are coming off an 85-66 loss to Tampa at home Saturday ... Corbin Jackson ranks third in the country in blocks per game (3.71) ... He is averaging 13.4 ppg and 9.3 reb ... Jermaine Jackson leads FIT in scoring (14.1) ... Chris Carter is scoring 13.7 ppg and shooting 38.9 percent from 3-point range ... Jordan Majors is averaging 12.4 ppg and 3.2 assists.
STARTING STRONG: Barry’s 11-1 start matched the 2000-01 team for the best start in school history.
2 FOR 2: Jr. F Yunio Barrueta was named the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week for the second straight week ... He’s also up for Bennett Rank Stud of the Week ... Vote for him at http://www.bennettrank.com/collegebasketball/d2-mens-basketball-studs-week-week-8/#
ASSIST-TO-TURNOVER: BarryU ranks first in the SSC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5) ... The Bucs are averaging 21.5 assists per game, which ranks third in the country ... Barry is committing 14 turnovers per game.
DERIC’s DIMES: Sr. PG Deric Hill ranks third in the country in assists per game (8.1) ... His 97 total assists ranks ninth nationally.
MR. AUTOMATIC: Jr. G Anders Haas ranks 10th in the country in free throw shooting at 91.4 percent ... He’s 32 of 35 from the stripe this year.
TRIPLED UP: Barry has made 10 or more three-point field goals in eight games this season ... The Bucs had a season-high 12 in the season opener ... Conversely, the Bucs have held opponents under 10 triples in eight games ... FIT is averaging 5.6 triples per game.
BLOCK PARTY: The Panthers are averaging 5.2 blocks per game ... Barry is swatting away 4.3 shots per game.
2014-15 BUCS RECORD WHEN ...
Overtime Games: 0-0
Home Games: 7-1
Road Games: 2-0
Neutral Games: 2-0
Night Games: 9-1
Day Games: 2-0
Leading at Halftime: 10-1
Trailing at Halftime: 1-0
Tied at Halftime: 0-0
After a Loss: 1-0
Scoring 80+ points: 8-0
Scoring 70-79 points: 2-1
Scoring 60-69 points: 1-0
Scoring 50-59 points: 0-0
Games Decided by 2 points or Less: 0-0
Games Decided by 5 points or Less: 1-1
Games Decided by 10 points or Less: 4-1
Games Decided by 11-20 Points: 1-0
Games Decided by over 20 Points: 6-0
Outrebounding Opponents: 10-1
Opponents Outrebound Bucs: 1-0
Matching Opponents in Rebounds: 0-0
Committing 15 or Fewer Turnovers: 6-0
Committing over 15 Turnovers: 5-1