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Alex Tucker: Florida Atlantic Universities Most Valued Basketball Player

Alex Tucker could be one of the most important players at FAU in a long time. “He’s got a great character” said Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Brian Remington during a recent Radio Interview. “He’s always played for winning teams, no matter where he’s gone” said Head FAU Basketball Coach Mike Jarvis. The same can be said about Coach Jarvis who has reached deep into March Madness with his St. Johns team. Jarvis has also Coached Patrick Ewing, one of the all-time greats in the history of the game.

 

As a freshman, Tucker set the Universities record for most assists by a freshman (139), in a single game (11), and ranked 2nd in the Sun-Belt Conference for assist with an average of 4.8 per contest. He collected his lone double-double versus in Conference rival Louisiana-Monroe, after missing the first three games of the season due to NCAA Clearinghouse rules.

 

Tucker comes from Redondo Union High School in Los Angeles, home of the Sea Hawks. As a member of the Bay League, he was voted MVP and Daily Breeze player of the year in his senior season. Tucker was also voted all-state as a prepatory senior scoring over 19 points per game and averaging seven assists. As a High School junior, Tucker was voted MVP and named a second team player by the Daily Breeze. And as a sophomore, Tucker led his High School to the League Championship. In the 2007-2008 Season, Tucker played for Summit College Prepatory and was an elite prepatory program member, which is recognized as one of the best programs nationwide.

 

Now as a sophomore at FAU for 2009-2010, Tucker averages .463 from the field and has a .675 free throw percentage. He has also tallied 22 steals for his team. When it comes to crunch time, Tucker is the man the players look to first. One example of this leadership trait came during the Middle Tennessee State University game. With seconds remaining on the clock, Tucker pushed the ball ahead and drove to the basket scoring the go ahead point, sealing the teams victory in Murfreesboro.

 Although having to share his time on the floor with another player at his position (Ray Taylor, freshman), this year, Alex Tucker takes it all in stride. Never one to complain, he is the perfect player, perfectly coachable and a joy to have on your team. We’ll have to see what the future brings, as Tucker forms his College Career in excellent
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  WITH THE LOSS, FAU NOW SHARES THE LEAD IN THE EASTERN  DIVISION WITH TROY

Things could be worse for the Owls, as Troy knocks them down a peg in the Eastern Division to 12-11 overall and 8 and 4 in Conference play.

 

In Comparing this win to the last, Ray Taylor contributed more than before.

Only a freshman, Taylor dished out 7 assists and battled for two steals.

 

Although only scoring 27 to 45 in the first half, the Owls grappled 42 more in half two compared to the “Mean Green” with 41 points. UNT scored 86 overall and had a second helping in percentage with a .638 compared to FAU’s .492 field goal percentage. UNT shot .758 to .the Owls .385 from the free throw line. Freshman Greg Gantt was impressive again scoring more than any other player in the game with 18. The referee’s handed out 26 fouls to the Owls with Mean Green’s 19 overall.

 

Eric Tramiel was high scorer for North Texas with 17. Both teams got off to a pretty slow start. With the score 4-4, 4 minutes and 8 seconds had passed before the first TV Timeout. Ray Taylor played all but 1 minute of the game, followed a close second by Greg Gantt with 38 minutes and Alex Tucker with 36.  Perhaps making his time most effective off the bench was Demonte Simpson with 9 points in 15 minutes followed by Sanchez Hughley with 6 points in 15 minutes. It seems the Owls were tired in the first half, whereas in half #2, they scored more points than the “Mean Green” with 42 to 41 points.

 

Statistics alone don’t determine the missing factor in a loss. Playing away is always a big factor with a young team such as this one in South Florida. All bets aside, FAU comes away with experience and keeping his minds eye on the future.
Owls defeat ULM by double digits
The final score for tonights contest was 74-61 in favor of FAU. Lefty Greg Gantt scored 20 in 31 minutes and led all scorers to boot. Brett Royster proved once again how impressive a leader can be on a team such as this in the Sun-Belt conference. Four dunks alone and two blocked shots propelled Royster back into the record books, for such things as leading the team all-time in blocks. Also impressive was 5'7" guard Raymond Taylor with 12 points and 5 assists in 27 minutes. Coming off the bench was Shavar Richardson, playing 21 minutes and 11 points. 

The Owls Men's basketball team rides a three game winning streak into WKU starting on Thursday, January 14, 2009.

WITH THE MEN'S BASKETBALL WIN, FAU FINDS ITSELF TOPS IN DIVISION
FAU got out of the blocks early and would maintain a lead throughout the game. Never trailing, FAU poured in over 100 points, and shot 60% from the field. Coach Mike Jarvis stated when you shoot a high percentage from the field, chances are greater then not in claiming victory. Alex Tucker was the field general and went 100% and doled out sixteen assists. Following the game in the interview room, Jarvis lauded and praised the Sophomore from California. Greg Gantt scored a team high 25, while Shavar Richardson came in a close second with 22 points, followed by Sanchez Hughley at 19. There were times in the game when FIU put forth enough effort to cut the lead to 9, but the Owls were always able to maintain an average of at least a 15 point lead. Most impressive for the Panthers was their poise throughout the game. They never looked alarmed and they played with much aplomb. They reminded me at times how a professional team would carry themselves, no doubt that's the Isaiah Thomas influence. 

Starting next week for the Owls is North Texas and Denver

PREVIEW GAME #21 ON 1/28/2010 VS. USA BASKETBALL
Coming off a three game win streak, the Owls travel into South Alabama to avenge their loss of January 7th, 2010 by three points. USA comes off a loss to Denver in Sun-Belt conference play, and could not sustain the offense during the game in the beginning and late stages. One might wonder if USA has the drive and endurance plus will nessasary to overcome a deep deficit. I'm sure USA considered the loss to Denver in conference play one of their worst, simply by weighing the fact that they lost by 23 points. A fresh start is what they should expect in Boca Raton on the 28th.
OWLS RELENTLESS IN ATTACK VERSUS SOUTH ALABAMA
Lady Owl Junior, Lyrell Barfield has proved to be the Most Valuble Player for FAU over the past few months. She scored 16 and went 4-6 from the three point line in play on Wednesday night from Alabama.
 
Steals went across the board when 5 of 9 players registered at least one steal for the game. Carla Stubs went perfect from the line and tallied 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. She also pulled down 12 defensive rebounds for a total of 13 for the game. 

Bittney Bowe played the most minutes during the game logging in 37 minutes followed by a close second from Lyrell Barfield with 35. Bowe went 6-for-12 from the field and scored a total of 13 points.

The Lady Owls meet their next opponent at the Burrow in Boca Raton versus in state opponent FIU.
Brittney Bowe Shootaround at Practice
Archive Articles 2008-2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
FAU defeats SLU: 72-58   FAU record: 4-5   SLU record: 4-4
Mike Jarvis’ career record:  367-207  FAU vs. SLU career record:  2-1
 

FAU started off slowly Saturday night, in front of a partisan crowd of 873. SLU stormed out to a four point lead during the first two possessions of the first quarter. Shavar Richardson made an impact in the first quarter, as did Sammy Hernandez who created the first lead, 18-15 with back-to-back baskets. Richardson equalized the game at 26, coming off a turnover, and the game had 7 ties all told. SLU was unable to convert their turnover on the subsequent possession. Some struggles ensued as SLU rallied back to a 22-21 lead in the second quarter. A number of turnovers were exchanged during the game. Thirteen points on turnovers were scored by SLU, while FAU had 12. At the half, FAU was up two points 32-30.  In the second half, FAU started quickly, jumping out to seven point lead with 14:36 remaining in the contest. Senior forward Paul Graham III scored on three successive baskets, giving FAU a ten point lead, 48-38. Graham scored four points in the first half, and had fifteen in the second half for a total of 19 in the game. He had a total of eight rebound, six defensive and two offensive. Add to that two steals and he gets my MVP of the game. There have been some rumblings from the peanut gallery that the Owl defense is weak. Here’s a fact to dispute that: SLU was held to 58, while there average points per game is 85. At nine minutes in the second half, SLU began a full court press. Stemming the tide was Shavar Richardson and Carderro Nwoji, along with team support from Chris Watson, Brett Royster and Alex Tucker. Kevyn Green and Patrick Sullivan had the greatest impact on the game from the Lions end, with 13 and 16 points scored each respectively. Fouls committed by the Lions at the end of the game. FAU shot 59.2% from the field, while SLU scored 41.8%.

 

IN QUOTES:

“It feels nice to win a game, the guys played a good mental game and we made good defensive adjustments. – Mike Jarvis, head coach FAU

 

“I’ve learned to be more patient and to crash the boards.” – Paul Graham III, FAU Senior Guard

 

“SLU has a good group of guys.” – Mike Jarvis, head coach FAU

 

“It will be good for Carlos (Munroe) to come back against Denver.” – Paul Graham III,                                                            FAU Senior Guard

 

“We’re greatful for the victory today. Next week we have the Sun Belt Conference, and we’ll have the return of Carlos (Monroe) next week.” – Mike Jarvis, head coach FAU

 

“Xavier is out due to personal reasons, and I don’t forsee him being back for at least the next two games.” – Mike Jarvis, head coach FAU

 

“We take one practice and one day at a time. We lost to three teams we should have won. Every day it’s important to play well. When you don’t play hard or smart, you run into problems.” – Mike Jarvis, head coach FAU

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

FAU vs. University of Denver

7PM, MNT – Magness Arena, Denver, Colorado

FAU record:  4-5   UD record: 2-6  SBC, combined record(s): 0-0

Radio: AM 560   FAU vs. UD, all-time record: 2-1                                 

 

With FAU’s 0-4 record on the road this season, this match-up will be a challenge. Returning for the Owls is Pre-Season all-SBC team member Carlos Monroe. “It will be nice to have Carlos back for the Denver game,” stated Paul Graham III, leading scorer versus SLU, on Saturday. Monroe has been absent for the first nine games of the season due to a violation. Last year Monroe led the Sun Belt Conference in rebounds (9.5), and ranks fifth all-time for points scored at FAU. Of some significance was the 24 point effort put in by Monroe versus Denver last season. What won’t be forgotten is the impact Monroe will have as a Senior this year.

 

“Were happy about the return of Carlos next week,” said Mike Jarvis after the SLU game. Jarvis will make his SBC debut versus Denver this Tuesday night. Noticeably missing will be the exploits of Xavier Perkins, key scorer averaging 12.4 points per game and enjoying a break-out Sophomore season. “Xavier will be missing for at least the next two games on the road, due to personal reasons,” said Coach Mike Jarvis. Jarvis has had a storied career, once bringing his team to the final eight of the NCAA big dance. He’s been to 9 NCAA tournaments, and 5 NIT affairs. In addition, he has been to three conference tournament championships as head coach. Jarvis is a coach who has won 100 plus games at three different schools, and hopes to join Lefty Driessel as one of only two who have won 100 at four.

 

Learning to win on the road is going to be crucial for the Owls this year. Over half of the remaining games for FAU are on the road. During the 2007-2008 season, FAU had a 3-11 record on the road, before Jarvis. With the missing pieces this season, Jarvis has been fighting an uphill battle. “We take things one practice at a time, one day at a time. We lost to three teams we should have beaten. Every day it is important to play well. If we don’t play hard or smart, we can loose,” stated Jarvis at a press conference after a game.