Expectations High As Titans Open Season Saturday

By Space Coast Daily // October 29, 2013

EFSC men's basketball team opens at Webber

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Think of all the clichés pertaining to following a special season and they all apply to Eastern Florida State College’s men’s basketball team.

After all the Titans went 26-7 last season, captured their first Florida College System Activities Association Southern Conference title since 2001 and advanced to the championship game of the FCSAA state tournament where they lost 63-58 to eventual national champion College of Central Florida.

Now the 2013-2014 Titans face a similarly tough schedule and similarly high expectations with a mix of returnees who remember last season’s accomplishments and what it took to achieve them and new players who not only want to continue the tradition but also establish their own identities.

So, enter the clichés: big shoes to fill, tall order, big mountain to climb.

Head coach Jeremy Shulman, in his fourth season at Eastern Florida, has heard them all. He realizes what occurred last season is past and that what matters now is what happens this season. And that’s in the hands of his current team.

RANKED FIFTH IN COACH’S POLL

The Titans open the season at 2 p.m. Saturday against the Webber International junior varsity in Babson Park, FL. They are ranked fifth in the first Florida College System Activities Association coaches poll this fall.

Shulman likes what he sees but at the same time acknowledges work remains.

“This year is a work in progress so far,” Shulman said.

BCC Coach Jeremy Shulman will guide the Titans tonight as they take on Broward College at home with an opportunity to win the conference title. (Image courtesy of BCC) — EFSC Coach Jeremy Shulman leads the Titans as they open the season at 2 p.m. Saturday against the Webber International junior varsity in Babson Park, Florida. The Titans are ranked fifth in the first Florida College System Activities Association coaches poll this fall. (EFSC image)

“We’ve got all the talent to be my best team since I’ve been coaching college basketball for seven years. The chemistry is still developing. It’s still in the early stages. I guess that’s a good thing. We wouldn’t want to peak right now in October. We’re hoping to do that a little more in conference season.”

To that end Shulman is looking to three players to set the tone: sophomore returnees 6-3 point guard and sharpshooter Ben Patrick of Clearwater, FL, Dunedin High and Impact Academy, 6-8 forward and three-point and rebounding standout Jure Gunjina from Zagreb, Croatia and 5-11 sophomore transfer, point guard and shooter Torrance Rowe from Atlanta, GA and Holmes Community College in Mississippi.

The Titans face two early-season matchups with Florida State College Jacksonville and two with State College of Florida. It faces state powers Chipola College and Santa Fe Community College on Dec. 14-15 and Gadsden State (Alabama) and national power East Mississippi Community College in the Tallahassee New Year’s Tournament. (EFSC image) — Titan Madness was a big hit as the men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off their seasons with an event for the fans. It featured a dunking and 3-point shooting contest, player introductions and a spirited Blue vs. White game featuring men and women on the floor at the same time. (EFSC image)

They will be pushed and supported by 6-7 sophomore forwards and returnees Julian Adams from Palm Bay, FL and Bayside High, and Mike Kirkland from Ocala, FL and West Port High.

TALENTED FRESHMAN CLASS

Newcomers expected to play large roles are 5-8 freshman point guard Jermohn Queen from Stuart, FL and Martin County High, 6-3 freshman guard T.J. Cromer from Albany, GA and Westover High, 6-2 freshman guard Cam Scott from Raleigh, NC and Word of God Christian Academy, 6-6 freshman forward Landus Anderson from Tallahassee, FL and Florida High, 6-8 freshman forward Tyrek Coger from Raleigh, NC and Word of God Christian Academy and 6-2 freshman guard Demetrius McReynolds from Louisville, KY and Butler High.