Starters:
Ian Scott (#21)
Guard (Mount Dora,Fla., Mount Dora High)
6-3 170
Junior
Scott averaged 5.7 points a game coming off the Tars bench last season. Scott was one of the team's most prolific foul shooters a year ago, shooting at a 73 percent clip.
Scott is known as the best defender on this Rollins team. He is one of the best defenders in all of the Sunshine State Conference. Scott led the SSC with 56 steals a year ago.
"I would say that I react very quickly and do not second guess myself," Scott says about playing on top of the Tars zone defense. "I often try and bait the offense into doing something they don't want to and it works quite often. Defensive is all about hustle and being deceptive. I would rate my defense as a solid 8.9 out of 10."Scott Says."
Teammate Alex Castillo said: "Obviously you know how gifted Ian is defensively and the team knows it too. I expect Ian to be in the game with 3 minutes left because of what he does on the defensive end."
Rollins forward Chris Malcolm says Ian does well on defense because he is always active. "He is constantly moving,"Malcolm said. Basically he hustles hard."
Pete's take: The most improved player in the last two years.
Nick Wolf(#2)
Guard(Cincinnati,OH, St.Xavier High School)
6-6 207
Senior
Wolf comes into this season as a candidate for Division II National Player of The Year. He averaged 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game a year ago.
Last season Wolf was the Most Outstanding Player in the Division II South Regional Tournament in Russellville, Ark, where the Tars were eliminated by Valdosta State in the regional final.
Wolf was second on the Tars with 105 free throw attempts a year ago. He was All-Sunshine State Conference First Team each of the past two seasons. He was last year's SSC Player of the Year. He also was on the All-Tournament First Team when the Tars won the SSC tournament title last season.
Wolf thinks his biggest improvement from a year ago is his ability to get to the rim off the dribble.
"I was always a good shooter but the thing I have improved upon is my moves off the dribble,"Wolf said"
Wolf is one of the best 3-point shooters on the Tars. "He shoots the 3 with so much confidence,"teammate Trip McFall said. Fellow Guard Ian Scott agrees.
"Nick has a quick release and is long, making it difficult to stop his shot,"Scott said.
Said teammate Chris Malcolm: "Nick Wolf is the best 3 point shooter on the team. He's probably one of the best shooters I have seen in a while. It actually kind of surprised me."Malcolm said."
Wolf says in the Tars offense you need to be able to score in more ways than one. "So if you're not shooting well from 3 then you get your work done inside,"he said."
Wolf led the team in minutes played last season at 34.8 a night.
"The toughest part on our team to replace is the experience and seniority we had with Greg, Brock, Julian and Ryan,"Wolf said". It was nice to be able to trust in your bench and know that they knew where to go on offense as well as defense."Wolf said.
Pete's take: The Tars best all around player
Nikola Baran(#33)
Center/Forward (Zagreb, Croatia)
6-7 225
Senior
Baran, a transfer from Northwestern, averaged eight points per game a season ago.
"Nikola's best aspect of his game is to step out and hit the 3,"Nick Wolf said. "When he is on it makes the team that much better because his man has to step out and guard him rather than sag back and play help defense."Wolf said".
Teammate Myk Brown agrees that the team is at it's best when Baran stretches the defense. "The best three point shooter on the team is Nikola hands down, he proved that last season"Brown said. Baran hit the game winning three at the horn to eliminate Barry in last season's Sweet 16 win. "Biggest adjustment for me was getting used to new coaches and new teammates" Baran said about the difference between DI and DII. Baran stated that:"This year's team is different than last's." We have many skilled and athletic players" Baran said.
" Since last year the biggest improvement for me has been my conditioning and this will hopefully allow me to play longer and harder"Said Baran.
He started 16 of 30 games for the Tars a season ago. He stepped into the starting lineup January 8th when Greg Sweeney Jr. was lost for the season.
Pete's take: If you ever need a hustle play- someone to take a charge or pick up a loose ball- Nikola is your guy.
Matt Robertson (#3)
Forward (Birmingham,Alabama, Briarwood Christian High School)
6-8 234
Senior
Is a transfer from Samford, Robertson averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds a game in 27.1 minutes last season. Robertson started every game for the Tars in the 2009-10 season.
The biggest adjustment for Matt is being so far away from family. He went from playing at Samford which is fifteen minutes away from Birmingham to Rollins which is ten hours away. You will always see Matt's wife Anne and the whole Robertson clan in attendance when at all possible.
On the toughest part to replace from last season's Senior class Robertson states "What they brought to the team, selfless leadership and intense work ethic".
Pete's take: Tars windex
Myk Brown (#32)
Guard/Forward (Gainesville,Fla., P.K. Yonge High School)
Junior
Brown is a transfer from VCU. He also started every game for the Tars last season. Brown was also the MOP of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, leading the Tars to the title at Nova Southeastern. He is one of the top guys in the conference at getting to the foul line. Brown attempted 220 free throws last season and shot 79.1% from the stripe. He also shot 46% from the field and 33.6% from long range.
On living the dream per say and the biggest transition from DI to DII this is what Brown said: "Playing at the DI level is what we all dream about as athletes. The atmosphere on game day was amazing. We traveled on charter jets at VCU for away games, we ate real well and got gear almost everyday. It was a dream come true."Brown said."
"I would say the biggest adjustment was getting used to the size of the school. Going from roughly 35,000 student to 2,000 was a big change, not saying that it was a negative.
On his role for this season Brown said this: "I don't think my role on the team has changed much from last season. The coaches want me to be a leader out on the floor and play as hard as I can game in and game out."
Pete's take: Brown will create his own shot or get one for his teammates. When he gets hot (like he did with 19 points in 5 minutes vs Florida Southern last year) he is nearly unstoppable.
Bench Players:
Alex Castillo (#25)
Guard (Winter Park,Fla., Lake Howell High School)
6-4 200
Senior
Castillo is a transfer from Warner University. He averaged 1.9 points a game in limited action a season ago.
On his role last year Castillo said: "I'm happy to be part of such a phenomenal team and met this group of fantastic guys."
Brock Blanchard, who is now a graduate assistant for the Tars and Ryan Ferranti who also played the same position as Castillo cut into his minutes last season.
On his role this season Castillo said: My role is going to be increased significantly from last year. "The team expects me to fill some shoes that were crucial to last year's success." he said.
"The Senior class of myself,Baran, Wolf and Robertson is pretty special,"Castillo said."
"He said I think having some vets means stronger accountability all around, whereas a team of young bucks would wither come February and March. "
Chris Malcolm is impressed with Castillo as a defender: "Alex I think always puts himself in the right place at the right time, he rotates very well on defense and that is a big asset." Malcolm said"
Ian Scott has this to say about his counterpart: "Alex is very long and active which makes it difficult to get off shots and passes."Scott said."
Pete's take: Castillo has paid his dues. It is his time to shine this season.
Brett Chance (#15)
Guard (Oviedo,Fla., Lake Howell High School)
6-2 190
Junior
A transfer from Canisius, Brett looks to rebound from a injury plagued 2009-10 season. Chance only appeared in one game last year and was medically red shirted. His season was cut short by hip impingement surgery. It is a condition of too much friction in the hip joint. Basically the ball and socket rub abnormally creating damage to the hip joint and cartilage. Brett decided to have surgery at the beginning of last season because the pain was getting to be unbearable. Brett has dealt with this problem since his Sophomore year of high school. He said the surgery was a very easy process.
"They went in their using the arthroscopic tool and cleaned up the cartilage and shaved down the bone that was rubbing."I can't wait to get out there and be part of something special at Rollins,"Chance said". "He said my body feels good, I put in a lot of hard work this summer getting into shape so my body wouldn't break down during the season. "I am 100% now and ready to go."Chance said."
"On the defensive end not to many things are going to get by our team. 'We take pride in our defense out there, people say it is really cliche to say but "defense wins championships" and I think everyone is locked in on the court and ready to shut down the other team and get stops".
Fellow sharpshooter Nick Wolf says: "I think Brett will be a big asset to our team. He knows how to handle the ball, is a good passer, and plays the game hard. He is a competitor "Wolf said."
Myk Brown agrees: Getting Brett back is big for us because he adds depth to our guard position and he adds to our athleticism"Brown said".
Pete's take: The return of Chance is huge for this season's Tars. All signs are he is back better than ever this season.
Kyle Schneider (#14)
Guard (Winter Park,Fla, Winter Park High School)
5-10 180
Red Shirt Freshman
Kyle will mostly take over the role that Castillo had a year ago.
"The toughest part of red shirting for me last season was just wanting to get out on the court and contribute to the team". Schneider said.
Pete's take: Schneider will not see much action this season but will work hard when he is out there.
Jeff Dirkin (#5)
Forward (Oak Park,Illinois, Oak Park High School)
Freshman
The biggest transition from high school to college Dirkin says is the speed of the game.
"Moving and thinking at that pace is what separates the veterans from the younger players" Dirkin says.
His natural position is power forward but Dirkin hopes to develop his ball handling skills to be a small forward as he progresses.
"We run the Princeton offense so the positions are pretty much the same for guys who are not in the post "Dirkin says".
He said the great thing about this team is we are full of shooters who can fill it up. "If anyone has a open 3 it's a 70% shot Dirkin says. "One of the greatest assets of this team is having such a great Senior class to lean on" he says.
Teammate Myk Brown said: "I am not sure if coach is planning on red shirting Jeff but he can spread the floor with his ability to shoot the ball".
Pete's take: How much Dirkin plays this season may depend on how much he improved his ball handling skills and how well he rebounds.
Trip McFall (#10)
Guard (Indianapolis,Indiana, North Central High School)
6-3 195
Freshman
McFall said: "The first meeting with the coaches was the deciding factor for me when I came on my visit. "
"On the throne you have Coach Klusman who has been with the program for 30 years. "Right behind him is Coach Ash who knows the program like he has been there for 30 years".
"After meeting with them their is no way I could pass up such an opportunity.
Myk Brown likes the way McFall shoots the ball: Trip can spread the floor with his ability to shoot the ball."Brown said"
Pete's take: McFall is known for his outside shooting. He will also surprise you in the other aspects of his game.
Chris Malcolm (#30)
Forward (Orlando,Fla, Timber Creek High School)
6-8 220
Junior
Malcolm missed the exhibition opener at Florida State with a sprained knee. He should be ready to go November 12th at the Valdosta Tip off Classic. Malcolm is another DI transfer, he started his college career at Winthrop.
On the biggest adjustment from DI to Rollins this is what Malcolm had to say: "The biggest adjustment for me is how laid back things are here at Rollins. I had been so used to having someone on my back or in my ear about everything. It actually made me kind of nervous about how hands off the coaches are here at Rollins are because I am so used to having most things in general taken care of for me"Malcolm said".
On the possibility of playing any familiar opponents since he is from the area Malcolm said this:
" I am not sure if I will be playing any familiar opponents this upcoming season, most of the guys that I am familiar with are playing at various DI schools throughout the country.
Ian Scott had some praise for one of the newest members of the Tars: "Chris Malcolm will surprise some people this season, as well as Alex, both are very long and active making it hard to get off shots and passes, You can not teach what Malcolm brings defensively,"Scott says".
Alex Castillo agreed with Scott that Malcolm will be a big asset especially on the defensive end. " He allows us to be more free in our defense because of the ground that he can cover with his size" Castillo said.
Pete's take: Malcolm will be a force inside especially at the defensive end. He will block plenty of shots and alter plenty more.
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