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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern men’s basketball team (12-9, 4-7 SSC) will attempt to complete the season sweep of the Tampa Spartans (18-8, 3-8 SSC) this Saturday at 4 p.m. at the NSU Arena in the Don Taft University Center. The game will broadcast live on 640 Sports.
The Sharks are coming off an 80-57 win at home over the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Wednesday. The Sharks had a limited lineup, but did not miss a beat over the struggling Sailfish.
“It's been a difficult week in terms of practice and preparation because so many of our guys have been sidelines with the flu and other nagging injuries,” said head coach
Gary Tuell. “We haven't had enough healthy bodies to practice in over a week. But those who are healthy have been terrific. Their focus and work ethic has been outstanding. Wednesday's win over Palm Beach Atlantic is evidence of that. We maintained our focus and played our way and not down to the level of the opponent. Believe me, when guys are doing that this late in the season, you know they are committed and moving in the right direction.”
With five games left in the season, the Sharks will be competing for a favorable seed in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held at a neutral site in Kissimmee, Fla. The eighth and ninth seeds will play for a spot against the top seed, with the rest of the tournament remaining the same as previous years. However, with all games on a neutral floor, the difference between the fourth and fifth seeds is almost nonexistent.
The Sharks are currently fifth in the league, but have four teams in striking range if they stumble down the stretch. Fortunately for NSU, the Sharks have defeated three of their final five opponents this year.
“These guys have been a joy to coach,” said Tuell. “I'm glad they aren't satisfied and that they feel we have more to accomplish. We can get better. I'm really proud of our seniors and the job they've done to keep everyone on the same page. We have great senior leaders, and
Brian Cahill (So., Arlington, Va.) has really given everyone confidence and done a great job taking pressure off the other guys.”
With three of the Sharks’ season series’ in the book, NSU split with Eckerd and were swept by Florida Southern and Saint Leo, the two teams tied at the top of the conference. To make up for those losses, the Sharks will have to secure sweeps of their own. The first can come with another win over Tampa on Saturday.
"Tampa has played really well lately,” said Tuell. “They seem to be getting back to playing the way they did at the start of the season when they won 12 straight. They have some very talented scorers and do a nice job in their man defense. We caught them on a bad day up there and we took advantage of the opportunity. This time around we expect to see a much different Tampa team. Anthony Griffis and D'Marko Foster are explosive scorers. We, along with a half dozen other teams, including Tampa, are involved in a battle for seeding for the conference tourney. This game will help determine a lot."
Fans can listen to the game live on 640 Sports. The game will also be available via live video
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