FORT MYERS, Fla.- With official practice getting underway last week and scrimmages beginning this weekend for the Florida SouthWestern State Basketball teams, both the Bucs Men & Women open the season ranked by national publications with the FSW Men checking in at #8 in the College Basketball Times Preseason Poll and the Bucs Women tabbed #21 by World Exposure Report.
The FSW Men finished 18-5 a season ago, reaching the Final Four of the Region VIII Tournament and coming up just short of their fourth straight bid to the NJCAA National Tournament. The Bucs will be one of the more veteran teams in junior college basketball this season, featuring 12 players with college playing experience, including six that suited up for the Purple and Aqua in 2020-2021.
The FSW Women won their fourth consecutive Conference Championship last season, finishing 13-6 overall and advancing to the FCSAA State Tournament. The Bucs return a trio of All-Conference picks from a season ago in Tashun Bryson, Ronaltha Marc, and Tyshonne Tollie who are all back in the fold for 2021-2022.
The FSW Men open their regular season on Monday, November 1st, hosting Victory Rock Prep in Suncoast Credit Union Arena while the Bucs Women take the court for the first time on Friday, November 5th when they battle defending National Champions Northwest Florida State in the Florida Juco Shootout in St. Petersburg.