CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Just about 24 hours away from tip off of their 2021 season, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers have had high expectations put on them yet again as with Tuesday's release of the NJCAA Preseason Top 25, the Bucs find themselves at #8, garnering a top 10 preseason ranking for the third straight year.
The Bucs went 29-2 a season ago and spent five weeks as the #1 team in the country. They won their fourth straight Suncoast Conference Championship, including their third straight in undefeated fashion in route to earning their third straight bid to the NJCAA National Tournament.
It will be a different looking FSW team this year however, as the Bucs return just four players to the fold after losing their top seven scorers and nine players overall from last year's squad. Terry Roberts will lead the Bucs' returners after a 2nd Team All-Conference campaign as a rookie in 2020. A two way threat, Roberts averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 steals during his freshman season playing behind a pair of now, Division I stars. Also returning for the Bucs are Mohamed Sylla who started 10 games as a freshman, Jaden Campbell who saw action in 23 contests, and CJ Lane who was one of the Bucs' top three point threats in 2020, shooting just under 40% from distance on the season.
The top 10 in the poll is littered with the usual suspects including the Bucs along with a couple of upstarts trying to make their name in the shortened 2021 campaign. John A. Logan was the unanimous choice at #1 with South Plains, Tallahassee, Indian Hills, and Pearl River rounding out the top 5.
Following a 321 day layoff, the Bucs will finally get back on the floor Wednesday in their season opener when they host Hillsborough in Suncoast Credit Union Arena in a 7:30 tip. Fans are welcome to attend with tickets available at the Arena Box Office or at FSWBucs.com. Fans will be required to wear face coverings while enjoying the game and tickets have been sold on a socially distanced basis to give spectators and FSW personnel alike the safest atmosphere possible.