GETTING INSIDE

There are young teams. And then there is Florida Atlantic.

The Owls’ preseason roster includes seven true freshmen and four sophomores. Of the four returning lettermen, just one, guard Shavar Richardson, scored in double figures in the 2008-09 season.

There are 10 newcomers, and coach Mike Jarvis is counting heavily on his 2009 recruiting class, and not just because he has to rely on them.

“This class is as good a class as I have ever been part of recruiting, and that includes some pretty good classes at Boston University, George Washington and St. John’s,” Jarvis said. “The reason for my optimism is the fact that we have recruited a complete team, point guard, shooting guard, small forwards, power forward, center and it’s not often that you do that.

“Of course it’s not often that you have to do that. We are really grateful to the fact that these young men have decided to put their trust and faith in us.”

All four returnees started at least 18 games, including junior forward Brett Royster, sophomore forward Chris Watson and sophomore point guard Alex Tucker

This is FAU’s fourth season in the Sun Belt Conference.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Mike Jarvis, who has added his son, Mike Jarvis II, to the coaching staff, guided the Owls to a 6-26 record last season. FAU has never won 20 games in a season. The program began in 1988-89. The Owls’ best year was 2001-02 (19-12).

• Shavar Richardson will be a key player offensively for FAU. The 6-foot-3 sophomore averaged 11.8 points per game as a freshman.

• Brett Royster gives the Owls size and experience inside. The 6-8 junior averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks last season and scored 7.1 points per game.

• Alex Tucker led the team in assists last season with 4.4 per game.

Quote To Note:   “Red Auerbach taught me a long time ago what it takes to put teams together. I remember him saying that you have to recruit players with character, not characters. I also remember him telling me that you need to recruit players from winning programs and you want to recruit players that do something special.”—FAU head coach Mike Jarvis.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Big man Demonte Simpson (6-9, 270, who helped AAA Knoxville Bearden, Tenn., become the 26th-ranked prep team in the nation) and big G Darren Stewart (Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla.) appear to be the best of what coach Mike Jarvis calls his best-ever recruiting class. Coach Mike Jarvis says this year’s class, combined with last year’s newcomers, has all the parts necessary to compete in the Sun Belt.

“In one year, thanks to the great work of my assistant coaches, Mike Jarvis II, Matt McCall and Tim Kaine,” Jarvis said, “we now have the necessary size, speed, quickness, depth and attitude to be a force to be reckoned with in the Sun Belt Conference.”

Key Early-season Games:   The Owls’ toughest November game could be a trip to American late in the month. The toughest part of FAU’s non-conference slate is a three-game stretch in late December, when the Owls face Miami close to home, and then travel to Georgia and Maryland.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Alex Tucker, SG Shavar Richardson, SF Brett Royster, PF Demonte Simpson, C Justin Tucker.

Roster Report  

• F Sanchez Hughley is healthy after battling injuries last year, the second year out of the last three in which the 6-foot-6 junior missed significant time.

• F/C Kore White is sitting out this season after transferring from Marshall, where he saw limited playing time last year as a true freshman.