Men's Basketball: 2016-17 Season Preview

Nov. 9, 2016

BOCA RATON, Fla. - With the start of basketball season just around the corner, Florida Atlantic University head men's basketball coach Michael Curry sat down to give his impressions of the team's preseason practices.

How has the team looked in practice so far?

"The team has looked really good. We were able to pick up from this summer, where we got 10 practices and three games as part of our international trip. What we tried to do coming into the fall was maintain our conditioning without running ourselves into the ground, especially with the season lasting so long. We've cut 30 seconds off the time of our conditioning test. Now, to get it done, a lot of them had to get their bodies in better shape. Guys lost weight, they were doing extra work on their own on the weekends to prepare for the test. That mentality comes with winning and the sacrifice it takes, understanding that the team is bigger than the individual. Having guys that understand that makes it easier to transition that mentality onto the floor. This group has probably done more skill work on their own than any group we've had since we've been here.

"We like where we're at. It's been fun every day, trying to play at that faster pace. Scoring 65 points a game, like we did last year, forces you to have to basically pitch defensive shutouts every night, and the way teams are utilizing the three-point line, I don't think you can do that anymore.

"I think we have more size and athletic ability, especially on the perimeter. A lot of our rebounding issues last year were because we were small on the perimeter. We're more athletic at the forward spots, so I think that gives us a chance to be a better rebounding team. We can also play at a faster pace because we can put more guys on the floor that can score. I thought our defense in the past has been pretty good, but this team is better at getting up the floor, and because of that, we should be able to get a few more stops.

"Nick Rutherford has played really well. I think he's benefitted from us playing at a faster pace. He doesn't have to sit in the half court and shoot jump shots. His strong suit is getting to the basket and creating for others. Ronald Delph has played well with the addition of William Pfister. William is 6'9" and runs the floor as well as anybody on the team. (Will) is very selfless and is sort of our glue guy. He helps and protects Ronald Delph. He won a national championship at Northwest Florida State and made it to the Elite Eight last year. Looking at Frank Booker, Gerdarius Troutman, and when we get Justin Massey back, we feel we have added three 40 percent three-point shooters. With Jeantal coming, our three-point shooting should be much better. Jailyn Ingram is probably our most versatile player, but he's still a freshman, so the more we allow him to play without the pressure of not making any mistakes, the faster he will grow.

"Gerdarius Troutman was second in the country at 54 percent from the 3-point line last season. Jailyn Ingram andDevorious Brown both won two state titles and lost in the championship game in high school. We've tried to identify the players that fit the way we want to play and at the same time come from winning cultures, so that they can bring their experiences to the group. Winning takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and when you get players that have done it, it's easier to convince them to do it again."

Did the extra practices you got with the foreign trip help the team come together, especially with so many newcomers?

"I thought the 10 practices really helped the newcomers as well as the guys that sat out last year (Frank Booker and Marcus Neely). A lot of the time they think they can miss a year and come back and get right into their rhythm. We saw that last season from Adonis (Filer). He was up and down after sitting out a year, but he had his moments where he looked really good."

How did the practices help the returners adjust?

"I just mentioned Adonis and he has been really, really consistent and part of that has been that we shifted him back to point guard. He's more comfortable there with the ball in his hands instead of receiving passes, and he's done well backing up Nick Rutherford at the point. He's probably going to play the same amount of minutes (as last year), but he'll be more effective.

"Some guys like Nick and Jean will be playing bigger roles, and Jean will be playing a new position, so the practices give you time to iron those things out in the summer. We still have a ways to go, but it definitely puts you ahead of the curve instead of starting for the first time in November."

You have a more balanced schedule this season. How will that help the team?

"Having a more balanced schedule will definitely help. We wanted to play in an early season tournament because it allows you to play an extra game or two. Playing Texas State, SIU-Edwardsville and Hawaii gives us a good start to the season and then hosting Edward Waters and USF is a great start to our home schedule. Plus, after we get back from Hawaii, we play eight of our 11 games at home. We only have two plane trips (at UT-Martin and Ohio State) until the start of conference play, so we will be home until the middle of January. After exams, we go down to Miami then come home for Webber International and Florida Gulf Coast, then start conference play with our first three games at home. That means we're in a routine in terms of class and practice. The more we can practice and play on our home court, especially for the newcomers, the more we can develop that home court advantage."

What is it like having your son Deon join the staff?

"It's good because he's been in the business and did a great job in operations at Campbell. Since he will also oversee video here, it will allow him to do a lot more things basketball wise. I know his mom will be glad to see him (Laughs). But he's been around winning programs, he was around the Pistons' championship team in Detroit, as well as the football and basketball teams at Michigan State, so he understands the sacrifices it takes to win."

What is your goal for the team this season?

"One of the things we've talked about is moving up in the conference. I think it was five or six teams each year that were .500 in the conference or a game above .500. We want to get to that level and move up from there. If this group can continue to get better, we'll feel better as a coaching staff, because we won't have as much turnover next year."

The Owls open the season on Friday, Nov. 11 against Texas State in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic. Live audio of the game will be broadcast on fausports.com and ESPN 106.3 FM, which also has an app for the smartphone.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Frank Booker

Devorious Brown

Ronald Delph

Jailyn Ingram

Justin Massey

Marcus Neely

William Pfister

Nick Rutherford

Gerdarius Troutman

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Coastal Georgia on November 17, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Pacific on November 20, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus LMU on November 24, 2025 at 8:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus George Mason or Ohio on November 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus St. Bonaventure on November 30, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at FGCU on December 7, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Florida Atlantic University Athletics