ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A battle of two top-25 teams will take place inside the McArthur Center on Saturday as the No. 7/6 Eckerd men's basketball team hosts No. 23 Barry University at 4:00 PM.
WHAT: Barry Buccaneers (12-2, 5-1 SSC) vs. Eckerd Tritons (15-1, 7-0 SSC)
WHERE: McArthur Center
WATCH: Live Stats |
Live VideoABOUT THE BUCCANEERS- Barry was the preseason coaches pick to win the Sunshine State Conference, and thus far the Bucs have lived up to that billing as they enter today in second place in the conference standings at 5-1. Their lone SSC loss came at Florida Southern in their second game of the season. Barry enters today's game on a six-game winning streak and is ranked No. 23 in both the NABC Coaches Poll and D2SIDA Media Poll.
- The Bucs feature the highest-scoring offense in the SSC, averaging 93.9 points per game. They've scored 90 or more points eight times and have broken the 100-point mark three times. They rank fifth in NCAA Division II in scoring average, sixth in 3-pointers per game (11.4) and second in assists per game (20.1).
- The high-powered Barry offense is led by Yunio Barrueta, a 6-foot-5 senior in his third season with Barry after transferring from East Tennessee State University. Barrueta averaging 25.4 points per game, ranking fourth in the nation in D-II, and shoots 47.5 percent from 3-point range (48-of-101). Three other players also average in double-figures: Anders Haas (14.6 ppg), Adrian Gonzalez (13.7 ppg) and Elvar Fridriksson (11.1 ppg).
- The Bucs are incredibly close to being perfect entering today's game as both of their losses have come down to the final possession. In a 74-72 loss to Florida Southern, FSC's Dylan Travis made two free throws with 0.6 seconds left. Palm Beach Atlantic also defeated Barry in the final second when PBAU's Bakari Warthen made a layup at the buzzer for a 100-99 Sailfish win.
ABOUT THE TRITONS- Eckerd extended its winning streak to 15 games on Wednesday with a 70-56 victory over Lynn University. The Tritons held the Knights to over 30 points below their season scoring average in the win, and will need a similar defensive effort today against Barry's potent offense to defending their top-10 rankings in both the NABC and D2SIDA polls.
- Defense has been a calling card for Eckerd this season. EC leads the conference and ranks 29th nationally in scoring defense allowing 68.2 points per game. The Tritons rank 26th in D-II in opponent field goal percentage, limiting teams to just 40.4 percent shooting from the floor.
- The Tritons have been picky about the 3-pointers they have taken this season, and with good results as Eckerd ranks 15th in the nation in 3-point percentage (41.0 percent). Four players are shootin 40 percent or better from behind the arc -
E.J. Moody (40.0 percent),
Kevin Walsh (46.4 percent),
Bradley Reibel (50.0 percent) and
Marco Behori (50.0 percent). Big men
Trevon Young and
Obi Kyei have also shown the ability to stretch the defense and knock down an open 3-pointer.
- Four players average in double digits in scoring led by
Jerrick Stevenson (12.8 ppg). Walsh (11.4) and Young (10.3) also average better than 10 points per game as does freshman
Drushaun McLaurn (11.5 points per game).
LOOKING BACKThe last time Eckerd and Barry faced off in the McArthur Center was one of the most exciting games of the year for either team. Barry, ranked No. 4 at the time, pulled off a 111-108 double-overtime win on January 24. The Tritons had a chance to tie at the end of the second overtime but missed a 3-pointer. Barry won the rematch in Miami Shores, 85-70.
