JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Riding a sweep of the Alabama road stint, North Florida men's basketball returns home to host Bellarmine in the first-ever meeting between these two teams Wednesday, Feb. 9.
LAST TIME OUT (at North Alabama Feb. 5)
FLORENCE, Ala. - For the second time in as many games during the Alabama road trip, North Florida men's basketball (7-17, 3-7 ASUN) applied the winning formula of sizzling shooting and stifling defense as the Ospreys took care of North Alabama (9-14, 2-8 ASUN), 71-58, Saturday, Feb. 5.
PROJECTED STARTERS
G - Jarius Hicklen (11.0 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 1.4 APG)
G - Emmanuel Adedoyin (6.9 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 2.5 APG)
G - Jose Placer (15.2 PPG | 3.0 APG | 3.1 RPG)
F - Dorian James (4.8 PPG | 4.4 RPG | 1.1 BPG)
F - Jadyn Parker (7.6 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 1.4 BPG)
SERIES HISTORY
BELLARMINE | UNF and Bellarmine are meeting for the first time ... this is just the second season of Division I play for the Knights ... Bellarmine and UNF were slated to play during the 2020-21 season, although their doubleheader was canceled.
FROM THE JUMP
20/20 VISION
UNF set a DI-era program record after having two players post at least 20 points in four consecutive games. The Ospreys have done so against Central Arkansas, Lipscomb, Jacksonville State and North Alabama.
LOCK DOWN
North Florida held North Alabama to just 27.4 percent shooting in Saturday's win. That marked the lowest opponent-field goal percentage UNF has allowed since Jan. 10, 2010 at JU.
LOOKING FOR 200
Head Coach Matthew Driscoll is looking for UNF career-win 200 with a win. He currently stands at 199.
NO WAY JOSE
Jose Placer is on a tear as of late. The guard has posted four consecutive games with at least 20 points, becoming the first Osprey since Dallas Moore to achieve that.
FOUND HIS ROLE
Division II transfer Jarius Hicklen has found his groove here in Jacksonville. After strong numbers at Oklahoma Baptist, the Texas native has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games. During that time he has dialed up performances of 27, 24 and 21 points. The shooting guard is third in UNF history for three-point field goal percentage for players that have taken at least 35 three-pointers. He is shooting a sparkling 43.0 percent from long range. Dec. 13 he was named ASUN Newcomer of the Week after posting 16 points at Florida and 14 points against Austin Peay three days later.
FIVE FOR NO. 5
Dorian James is coming off a five-block game at North Alabama, the most for an Osprey during ASUN play this season. Dorian James has helped greatly in fortifying the Ospreys down low. Teaming up with namely Jonathan Aybar and Jadyn Parker, the Ospreys have blocked 111 shots, good for second in the league and 32nd in the nation. North Florida is averaging 4.6 blocks/game, good for second in the league and 46th in Division I. Jadyn Paker, Dorian James and Jonathan Aybar are all in the top 10 in the league in blocks/game.
SCOUTING REPORT | Bellarmine
-Bellarmine is 13-11 and 7-3 in ASUN play, good for second in the ASUN West Division.
-The Knights were bounced by Stetson in the ASUN Championship Quarterfinals against Stetson in its first season of ASUN affiliation.
-Bellarmine ranked third in the nation in field goal percentage a year ago, finishing behind only Gonzaga and Stephen F. Austin.
-The Knights won the Division II national title in 2011 and had D2 Final Four appearances in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
-The ASUN newcomers were ranked fourth in the 2021-22 Preseason ASUN Coaches Poll, as well as tied-for-third in the preseason media poll.
-Head coach Scott Davenport is in his 17th season leading the Knights. He is 391-128 with Bellarmine.
-Dylan Penn became the 43rd Bellarmine Knight to reach 1,000 points after surpassing the milestone against Lipscomb Jan. 15. He posted a triple-double that consisted of 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Central Arkansas this year.
-Bellarmine is coming off of a home loss to Kennesaw State this past Saturday.
-CJ Fleming became Bellarmine's all-time leader in games played when he suited up for his 134th contest Jan. 29. He has 228 three-pointers for his career, good for third-most in Bellarmine history.
DRISCOLL CONFIDENTIAL
"The ability to continue to move forward and persevere is critical as we navigate the second half of the regular season schedule. The team has shown great resolve dealing with a number of uncontrollable scenarios. This has helped us focus on the next right thing, which is the game in front of us against Bellarmine. Continuing to have a variety of different lineups and available personnel has in and of itself fostered growth that is so vital in February." -- Head Coach Matthew Driscoll
UP NEXT
UNF plays its first game during the second half of ASUN East Division play when it goes to Kennesaw State Saturday, Feb. 12.
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Stay connected with the Ospreys all season long by following @OspreyMBB and @UNFOspreys on Twitter for all of the latest UNF men's basketball updates. Be sure to use the hashtag #SWOOPLife and #BirdsofTrey
