Forget the prediction…What about Ray ???

Watson is sidelined as well…so, not sure how much research went into this one…….


5. Florida Atlantic

There are young teams. And then there is Florida Atlantic.

The Owls' preseason roster includes seven true freshmen and four sophomores. Of the four returning lettermen, just one, guard Shavar Richardson, scored in double figures in the 2008-09 season.

There are 10 newcomers, and coach Mike Jarvis is counting heavily on his 2009 recruiting class, and not just because he has to rely on them.

"This class is as good a class as I have ever been part of recruiting, and that includes some pretty good classes at Boston University, George Washington and St. John's," Jarvis said. "The reason for my optimism is the fact that we have recruited a complete team, point guard, shooting guard, small forwards, power forward, center and it's not often that you do that.

"Of course it's not often that you have to do that. We are really grateful to the fact that these young men have decided to put their trust and faith in us."

Big man Demonte Simpson (6-9, 270, who helped AAA Knoxville Bearden, Tenn., become the 26th-ranked prep team in the nation) and big guard Darren Stewart (Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla.) appear to be the best of the newcomers.

All four returnees started at least 18 games, including junior forward Brett Royster, sophomore forward Chris Watson and sophomore point guard Alex Tucker.

This is FAU's fourth season in the Sun Belt Conference.

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