Player Profiles 2011-12!!

Starters:
Ian Scott (#21)
Mount Dora,Fla. (Mount Dora High School)
6-3 170 Guard
Senior
Scott goes into his second year as the Tars starting point guard. Saw his scoring average climb from 5.7 to 6.2 points a game last season. He also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals a contest. He started all 31 games for the Tars.
This is what he had to say about his role going into the season:
"My leadership role will be more intense being that we have so many new players coming to the team. I will be expressing my leadership both vocally and through my actions on and off the court."
When asked about this season's senior class:
"This year's senior class is very strong. We have Jeremy Sharpe. Then there are Myk Brown and Chris Malcolm who both transferred from Division I schools.  They all bring different assets to our team."
When asked about this year's goal as a team, Scott added:
"The goals are the same every year:
win the conference, win the conference tournament and win the NCAA tournament."
Scott is still best known for his defensive prowess. Brown had this to say about his fellow back court mate.
"Ian has always been a player of intense energy for as long as I have known him. I feel like that aspect of his game is why he is so solid on the defensive end. His length and athleticism are also exceptional."
Jeff Dirkin agreed:
"I believe Ian is our best defender especially at the guard position. His movements in our defense are second nature and he has a knack for getting an honorable mention."
Trip McFall knows Scott better than anyone having to face him in practice every day.
"I still believe Ian is the best defender because of his experience as well as energy."
Pete's take: The catalyst for this year's Tars


Myk Brown (#32) 
Gainesville,Fla. (PK Yonge High School)
6-4 210 Guard
Senior
Brown is coming off a solid junior campaign. he averaged 12.3 points a game, shot 32 percent from the three point line and 84 percent at the foul line. He had this to say about what the Tars lost from a year ago.
"We obviously lost a lot from last year's roster, but I feel like the additions we have this year are just as good. The dynamic of the team has definitely changed and it should be an exciting year."
Scott had this to say about Brown:
"Myk is able to attack the rim and knock down a jump shot."
McFall had this to say about Brown:
" The best pure shooter on the team is Myk Brown. The way Myk has been shooting it lately has been great."
Kyle Schneider agrees:
"Myk is the best pure shooter, as well as the best at creating his own shot."
Pete's take: Brown is an excellent shooter and gets to the line at will.


Chris Malcolm (#34)
Orlando,Fla. (Timber Creek High School)
6-8 220 Center
Senior
Malcolm is coming off an injury plagued season. He was bothered by a broken wrist for much of last season. He still played in 28 of the Tars 31 games averaging 3.8 points, 3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game. He set the school record with 9 blocks in a single game versus Saint Leo in Mid February. Malcolm provided me with a little insight of what it was like to play through pain much of the season and how the wrist feels now.
" Going into the season my wrist is holding up really well, I was surprised that it feels as good as it does. It is healed but the range of motion is not totally back. "
"Yes it made last year difficult because I did not have complete use of my dominant hand."
When asked about the expectations for the upcoming season:
"I expect this year to start off slow because of so many new faces, but once everyone is clicking with the offense it should be a great year. "
Pete's take: Having a healthy Malcolm will help this season tremendously, especially on the defensive end.


Jeremy Sharpe (#0)
St.Louis,Mo. (Christian Brothers Academy)
6-6 180 Forward
Senior
Sharpe is back with the Tars after deciding not to play basketball last season. The last season Sharpe played (2009) he appeared in 29 games (26 starts). He averaged 12.3 points a contest.
"My expectations as far as myself are  to help the team win in as many ways as I can, to be a complete player and basically to just win."
When asked about the athletic ability on this team:
"This is the most athletic team I have ever been a part of. "Sharpe said"
Scott had this to say about Sharpe:
"Jeremy is a strong player who can score in many different ways."
Pete's take: Pure scorer who can go for 30 on any given night


David Diakite (#42)
Washington D.C. (National Christian Academy)
6-6 215 Forward
Junior
A transfer from UCF, Diakite played in 25 games (18 starts) for the Knights last season. He played 10.5 minutes a night, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds a contest.
Scott had nothing but praise for his new teammate:
"The most athletic on our team is David Diakite. He is literally a "freak of nature". He gets off the ground so quickly and jumps extremely high. He is strong and fast."
Jeff Dirkin agreed:
"Dave is a huge addition to our team, and his athleticism will help us at both ends. And in transition look out!!"
Brown is impressed with Diakite's basketball IQ:
"Dave is athletically blessed. He can easily play above the rim and knows how to get himself or a teammate a shot, he really understands the game of basketball.  He is going to bring a lot of excitement to our team as well as another option offensively. Defensively, we will be able to be that much better with the tools and skills that he has."
Pete's take: Can not wait to finally see this kid play. He can jump out of the gym and should be a real asset to this year's Tars.


Bench:
Brett Chance (#15)
Winter Park,Fla. (Lake Howell High School)
6-2 190 Guard
Red Shirt Junior
Chance averaged 4.6 points and 2.2 assists per game last season.  He appeared in all 31 games, coming off the Tars bench. Chance focused on his shooting technique more than anything this off season.
"I focused on my shooting technique this off season more than I ever have in the past and I feel that my form and shot have become a lot better ." Chance said.
When asked about himself as a shooter this is what Chance had to say:
"I wouldn't say I am a pure shooter, because that is not my game. I will shoot the 3 ball but I like to take people off the dribble or hit them with the mid range. "
Pete's take: Look out for Chance this year. he was already a good shooter but with the new form and technique he could be much better. Look for his minutes to increase as the season progresses. 


Scott Schuette (#33)
Lexington,Kentucky (Lexington Catholic)
6-3 190 Guard
Freshman
Schuette is a pure shooter in every sense of the word. McFall really likes the way Schuette shoots the ball.
"The best pure shooter on our team is Myk Brown. I think Scott Schuette is up there too, the young pup from Lexington can really shoot it ,said McFall."
Dirkin agrees:
"Scott is our best pure shooter, as he adjusts to the college game he can help us."
As most great shooters do, Schuette puts  in a lot of time in on his shot.
"During the off season I get up about 500 shots a day. During the season about 200 a day, yes I consider myself a gym rat."
On the biggest transition from high school to college:
"Getting my shot off faster."
On picking Rollins:
"Team, coaches and winning attitude made me want to come here."
Pete's take: Schuette will struggle early on, but as he gets familiar with the college game he will shine.


Chris Uhle (#24)
Ocala,Fla. (Trinity Catholic)
6-11 145 Center
Freshman
Uhle comes into his first season with the Tars looking to do big things. When asked to describe his game this is what Uhle had to say:
"My strengths are low post defense and rebounding as well as my shooting ability. My weakness are my perimeter defense and athleticism. My natural position is center."
Shoots the 3 ball well. Will open up some backdoor cuts for teammates off double teams. Will open up the three point line for teammates when in the game."
Scott added:
" Chris Uhle is a big guy who can knock down the open shot, he is strong and athletic."
Pete's take: Uhle will be a huge addition to the team along with Diakite. Just wait until Uhle knows what spots on the floor these guys want the ball.


Jeff Dirkin (#5)
Oak Park,Illinois (Oak Park High School)
6-8 210 Forward
Redshirt Freshman
Dirkin put in a lot of time on his ball handling skills since last year.
"I have put some serious time into my ball handling since last year and would say I have improved some. I am much better at getting to the basket and finishing.
"Also I worked hard on my jump hook. If I am confident and I have time I can be a threat in the post."
On himself as a scorer:
"I am definetly a 3 point shooter, I imagine most of my points will come off catch and shoot three's, lay ups and put backs.
Pete's Take: Dirkin will be integral coming off the Tars bench. 


Kyle Schneider (#14)
Winter Park,Fla. (Winter Park High School)
5-10 180 Guard
Red Shirt Sophomore
Schneider is coming off major knee surgery last season. He plays hard when on the court. He will push everyone hard in practice.
Pete's take: He will see limited minutes this season.


Redshirts:
Corey Goedde (#4)
Cincinnati,OH (Glen Este High School)
6-1 180 Guard
Freshman
Goedde continues the long line of Rollins players from the queen city. This is what Goedde had to say about those ties:
"I really don't know too much about the ties to Cincinnati. I have just heard about them through people. I would say that this is just a good school with a great location that gets people from all over. Now they can use it as a selling point for kids from that area to make them more comfortable coming down here. I liked the fact that they had Cincinnati ties. It made me feel more connected. My final decision though was that it was the best offer for me so I just took it."
Ian Scott added this about Goedde and fellow teammate James Farrell:
"Corey Goedde and James Farrell are solid guards and with a year of redshirting will be ready for next season.
On his skills as a player:
I have played the two guard and the point guard throughout my career. Naturally I am a point guard because then I can push the ball up the floor and create in transition."
Pete's take: After a year of redshirting, Goedde could be just what the doctor ordered. With Brett Chance and Ian Scott both gone after this season the Tars will be looking for a point guard. 


Trip McFall (#10)
Indianapolis,Indiana (North Central High School)
6-3 195 Guard
Sophomore
McFall will redshirt after having a sold Freshman season a year ago. On his experience from last season:
"I think last year helped me get comfortable in the offseason by getting some quality playing time with some veterans like Wolf, Matt and Nikola. "
On the teams goals for the upcoming season:
"This year we expect to win the conference for the third straight year and be playing our best basketball by the time conference season starts."
Pete's take: McFall will benefit from red shirting in the long run. Expect a big year from Trip next season.


James Farrell (#11)
Winter Park,Fla. (Winter Park High School)
6-0 175 Guard
Freshman
Farrell will also red shirt this season. He had a solid career at Winter Park High School and decided to stay local for college.
"I chose Rollins because it is close to home, has a good basketball program and also a MBA program."
On his biggest transition from high school to college:
"Living on my own and having more responsibility."
On the reason why he decided to red shirt:
"Gives me time to put on weight which is important to me."
Ian Scott added this:
"Corey Goedde and James Farrell are solid guards. With a year of red shirting they will be ready for next season."
Pete's take: Looks like the Tars have a solid crop of guards going forward!

Bridger Dawson (#55)
Aspen,Colorado (Aspen High School)
6-8 220 Center
Freshman
On choosing Rollins:
"I wanted to get a tropical feel and when they gave me an offer to play it was perfect."
Ian Scott provided this insight about Dawson:
"Bridger Dawson will be a good player, he has lots of potential and just needs some time to grow."
Pete's take: You can never have enough bigs during the course of a season.