The Sandspur

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Rollins College

Media Credit: Courtesy of Rollins College

The Rollins College basketball team comes into this season with their highest expectations ever. After finishing last season with a 25-8 record including a 13-3 record in the Sunshine State Conference, the Tars return ten of eleven players off of last year's roster and add one freshman and a 6'8 sophomore transfer Craig Reichel from Northern Illinois.

The engine that will make the Tars go this season is junior point guard Jonny Reibel (Chicago, Illinois). Reibel, who was second team all conference last season averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists per game last season and played a team high 32.6 minutes per game.

Helping Reibel out in the backcourt will be last year's leading returning scorer, senior John Thinnes (Cincinatti, Ohio). Thinnes also posted stellar percentage numbers from the field in his junior season shooting .463 from the field and .423 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Kevin Hogan (Pensacola, Fla.) who is a candidate to be one of the most improved players in the conference looks to build on a freshman season in which he was one of the leaders from the free throw line. The Tars will count on Hogan to knock down his jump shot.

Another returning starter is senior and fan favorite, Deon Troupe (St. Petersburg, FL). Troupe was one of four Tars who posted double figures in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game and was one of Rollins' most consistent threats from beyond the arc shooting .368. Troupe will be counted on to provide senior leadership, and will play a key role in the front of the Tars' zone defenses. "If we're not playing for the Division II Elite 8, the season will be a disappointment. For us to get there, we need our 6th man, which is our fans to come out and support us." Junior JoJo Kuhlman (Jacksonville, FL), freshman Joe Doyle (Sarasota, FL) and Freshman Brock Blanchard (Lake Mary, FL) will contend for minutes at the guard position. Blanchard is a great athlete with a good shot. Kuhlman is quick and arguably has the best jumper on the team. Doyle is a good athlete who will help Rollins out on the defensive end.

Another player who will have a big impact in propelling Rollins to success is 6'7 Senior Isaac Codrey. Codrey (Winter Park, FL) was a first team all conference selection as a junior and finished second in the league's Most Outstanding Player voting. Codrey led the conference in field goal percentage with a .574 mark and was the Tars second leading scorer averaging 11.9 points per game. If there was a 6th man award, Codrey would have indisputably won the award.

Helping Codrey in the backcourt will be returning starter and senior Jon Smith (Cincinatti, Ohio). Smith brings a great rebounding presence, intelligence and an improved three point shot into the mix. Another senior and returning starter who was much improved during the off-season was Jordan Kolosey. Kolosey (St Petersburg, FL) comes back to this season in the best shape of his life and will greatly contribute on the defensive end as he did last season (1 block, 3.1 rebounds per game). Sophomore Greg Sweeney (Cincinnati, Ohio) who came along nicely at the end of last season will add strength, rebounding and a nice outside jump shot to add to the mix. "First and foremost as a team we're not really thinking about any expectations or rankings or anything that is really expected from us except from our coaches and from each other. With that being said, so far I think we've met our own expectations and had some good practices, and everything is looking good so far."

Sophomore Craig Reichel who transferred from Northern Illinois will have the most impact of the Rollins newcomers. Reichel (Chicago, Illinois) is a big man who has good interior post moves and is hard to guard because he has a very good jumper from the outside. Reichel possesses good athleticism and his presence should be immediately felt.

The Tars have three other players who will redshirt this season in Junior Chauncey Gibbs (West Palm Beach) and freshman Jeremy Sharpe (St. Louis, Misourri) and Nick Wolf (Cincinnati, Ohio). Sharpe is one of the best recruits at the Division II athlete. He is an unbelievable athlete with a solid jump shot and a great handle. Wolf is has a good jump shot and rebounds well. Gibbs has great post moves and is looking to use this redshirt season to improve his game.

Tom Klusman returns to Rollins for his 27th season. He has 416 career victories and five Sunshine State Conference regular season titles. He is assisted by former Rollins standout Brad Ash who comes back for his 6th season. "With some above average players and great coaching returning, we have a chance to be one of the best teams in Rollins history. Being preseason #8 in the country for a small, private school with high academic standards is quite an honor." A new face on the Tars sidelines this season is former Tars standout and most wins all time by any player in Rollins history, Nate Rusbosin. Rusbosin who was one of the catalysts to last year's team says that "It's great to be the winningest player at Rollins. I'd like to carry that winning tradition and see the game from a different angle. I hope the Tar Pit is still cheering us on as well." Rollins opens their season November 15th at cross town rival UCF at 7:30. Their home opener is Saturday November 18th against Flagler College. Their first conference game is December 2nd at Tampa and their first conference home game is January 6th vs. the Nova Southeastern Sharks.

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