FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern rose to as high as No. 3 in the national polls a year ago, but Street and Smith's has even greater expectations for the Sharks entering 2019-20. Following their recent run to the Elite Eight, and with a wealth of scoring still intact, the Sharks have been listed at No. 2 in the magazine's Division II Preseason Top-10 rankings.
Defending national champion Northwest Missouri State rightfully earned the top spot in the poll's early release. Just behind the Sharks were a pair of programs who advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2018-19 in No. 3 Bellarmine and No. 4 Missouri Southern State. Tarleton State was selected as the No. 5 team in the country.
Nova Southeastern's frontcourt expects to be loaded with the return of Top-2 leading scorers in
Mark Matthews (20.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg) and
Connor Zinaich (19.7 ppg and 5.5 rpg).
Mikkel Kolstad, the Sunshine State Conference's leader in three-point shooting a year ago, remains in the fold, along with key role players
Eddie Puisis (10.5 ppg) and
Nick Smith (7.8 ppg). Add transfers
Bryce Schneider (Richmond),
RJ Sunahara (Fairmont State) and
Matt Weir (Purdue-Fort Wayne) to the mix with a solid trio of freshmen, and head coach
Jim Crutchfield appears to once again have the pieces in place to average nearly triple-digits night in and night out.
Speaking of Matthews, the redshirt-senior will certainly be on everyone's radar come November, especially after being labeled as a First Team All-American by Street and Smith's. In his first season as a Shark, the Bonita Springs, Fla. native racked up an impressive 16 double-doubles in his 33 starts. Matthews shined in the postseason last March, following up a season-high 32 points in a regional semifinal win over West Alabama by posting 18 points and 11 boards in the Sharks' regional title win against rival Lynn. He then poured in 31 points and 13 boards in the Elite Eight versus a Saint Anselm club that led its league in field goal percentage defense. Furthermore, Matthews scored in double-figures in all but one contest, and set numerous single-season, NCAA-era program records for the Sharks, including points (680), field goals (290), total rebounds (316), and offensive rebounds (151).
NSU will tip off the 2019-20 regular on Nov. 13 against College of Staten Island. To stay up-to-date with the Sharks, follow them on Twitter @NSU_MBasketball.
Division 2 Preseason Top 10
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Nova Southeastern (Fla.)
3. Bellarmine (Ky.)
4. Missouri Southern State
5. Tarleton State (Texas)
6. Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.)
7. West Liberty (W. Va.)
8. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
9. Alabama-Huntsville
10. Concordia-Irvine (Calif.)
Division 2 All-America Team
First Team
Dalton Bolon, West Liberty (W. Va.)
Josh Hawley, Tarleton State (Texas)
Trevor Hudgins, Northwest Missouri State
Cam Martin, Missouri Southern State
Mark Matthews, Nova Southeastern (Fla.)
