FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks journey to Evansville (In.) begins in earnest on Saturday evening, as the NCAA South Region Tournament is set to begin. The top-ranked Sharks – and No. 1 overall seed – host the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion, eighth-seeded Miles (AL.).
HOW THEY GOT HERE
No. 1 Nova Southeastern won the program's second consecutive Sunshine State regular season and tournament crown. The Sharks (30-0) enter the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated record for the second consecutive year.
The Sharks are led by D2CCA South Region and Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, RJ Sunahara. The junior is averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals this season. Will Yoakum has also been superb for SSC Coach of the Year Jim Crutchfield's squad, averaging 18.9 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 59% from the field.
Miles, the SIAC Champions, make a return trip to Fort Lauderdale, as the Golden Bears were the fifth-seed during the 2021-22 NCAA South Region Tournament. Miles went 23-6 during the 2022-23 campaign and enters the national tournament winners in their last six contests, including winning their third SIAC title under Head Coach Fred Watson.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The matchup pits two contrasting styles of play against each other, the high-speed and high-scoring offense of the No. 1 Sharks and the physical, methodical defense of the Golden Bears. No. 1 Nova Southeastern leads NCAA Division II in scoring (103.8), scoring margin (26.8) and is second in assists-per-game (22). On the other hand, Miles ranks fourth in DII in scoring defense, allowing an average of 58.8 points-per-game.
Yoakum, the SSC Tournament Most Valuable Player, enters the NCAA Tournament playing some of his best basketball. The senior averaged 23 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 61% from the field during the No. 1 Sharks run to the program's second consecutive Sunshine State Conference Tournament title.
Dallas Graziani will need to continue playing at a high level for the Sharks to make a national title run. The guard played exceptionally well during his first taste of tournament basketball, scoring 15.3 points-per-game, 8-assists, and recorded 10 total steals during the SSC Tournament.
No. 1 Nova Southeastern is 1-0 all-time against Miles – won 80-66 during the 2018-19 NCAA National tournament. The Sharks entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South Region that season, as well.
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
DIVISION II MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET
HOW TO WATCH
The top-ranked Sharks tip-off against Miles from the Rick Case Arena in the third game of the NCAA South Region Tournament. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
