GETTING INSIDE
New coach. New team.
The new coach, Isiah Thomas, has spent much of the non-conference portion of the Florida International schedule learning his new team. The four returning lettermen and eight newcomers, in turn, are adjusting to the former NBA legend.
The results have been mixed. The Panthers lost their first two games, one to defending NCAA champion North Carolina, won two in a row, then lost four straight before beating Florida A&M, for Florida International’s third victory in its first 12 games.
Thomas, in his first year as a college coach, seems to be taking a subtle approach with his young team.
“He’s very calm,” said one of Florida International’s newcomers, forward Marvin Roberts. “But we know when he’s not being laid back. His facial expressions, a little shake of the head, we know.”
The hope for the Panthers is that this team, like any young team, should only get better as it gains experience.
There is plenty of room for improvement as conference play approaches. Florida International ranks near the bottom of the Sun Belt in offense and defense.
Individually, there are some positive signs.
Roberts, the leading junior college scorer in the country last season, is among the scoring leaders in the SBC, while point guard Phil Gary is among the assists leaders.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Senior Marlon Bright, one of the few veterans on the Florida International roster, was seventh among Sun Belt players in rebounding, averaging 6.8 boards per game through the first 12 games.
• F Marvin Roberts’ 15.3 points per game mark ranks him seventh in the SBC.
Key Early-season Conference Game: The Panthers play three of their first four Sun Belt Conference games on the road, beginning with a December road trip to Denver and North Texas.
Last Year ‘S CONFERENCE RECORD: 7-11, fifth in the East Division of the Sun Belt.
Quote To Note: “We have a new group, and it’s a young group. If there are mistakes being made, our team is not playing with a lot of confidence, and my job is to calm them and soothe them.”—First year coach Isiah Thomas.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
What We Learned In November: Florida International has a long way to go on both ends of the floor. Entering December, the Panthers were last in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense and 11th among 13 teams in offense. Florida International was outscored in nine November outings by an average of 11.8 points per game.
December At A Glance: The Panthers are learning on the fly in more ways than one. The first six games on the December schedule are away from home. The first December home game is a conference match-up with South Alabama, on New Year’s Eve.
Player Rotation: PG Phil Gary, SG Antoine Watson, SG Stephon Weaver, F Marlon Bright, F Marvin Roberts. Key Subs: F/C Nicola Gacsesa, SG Tremayne Russell.
Roster Report
• Junior-college transfer Phil Gary Jr. scored a season-high 27 points for Florida International. His father played against coach Isiah Thomas in high school.
• Florida International received a verbal commitment in August from its first blue chip recruit of the Isiah Thomas era, Dominique Ferguson of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy. Scout.com rates Ferguson as a 4-star recruit and the eighth-best power forward in the country.
