MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – So much for yesteryear.

"It's a new team. You can't live on last year's laurels," Buccaneers fourth-year coach Butch Estes said. "It's a new adventure."

Barry's men's basketball team opens the season Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when the Bucs host cross-town rival Johnson & Wales.
 
The Bucs return eight players from last year's 26-7 team that went to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. But Barry lost over 65 percent of its scoring from a year ago, not to mention four starters.

So while the Bucs bring in lofty preseason rankings – 19th in the coaches poll, 12th in the media poll and 16^th in another Division II poll – there are a lot of unknowns about this year's team. Yes, they were picked to win the Sunshine State Conference, but with so many new faces, there are questions to be answered. There are more new players on this roster than returners, and that leaves things open-ended for now.

"I hope we'll be as ready as we can be when the season starts," Estes said, "but, more importantly, that we'll continue to improve throughout the season and be a lot better in February."

RETURNERS

Senior forward Adrian Gonzalez is a four-year Buccaneer. He is 85 points shy of 1,000 in his career. He ranks second among career field goal percentage leaders at 58.3 percent. He is eighth in field goals made, with a realistic chance to climb up to No. 4 before his career is over. Senior guard Arie Williams also spent all four years in Miami Shores. He is tied for fifth in school history in three-point field goals. With a strong shooting season, he could find himself No. 2 all-time before he walks away from Barry. Gonzalez averaged 11.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last year. Williams averaged eight points and shot 39.4 percent from 3-point range.

"Adrian Gonzalez and Arie Williams, those are the two young men we recruited when we came to Barry and kind of formed this whole thing around them," Estes said. "Gosh, have they just been outstanding. Not only their accomplishments on the court, but the sacrifices they made with a willingness to not start and come off the bench and give us just tremendous lifts every time they came into games. Now it's their senior year, it's their turn."

Junior point guard Elvar Fridriksson led the nation in assists a year ago at 8.1 per game. He scored 10.8 points per game, and could take on more of a scorer's role this season.

"He was well decorated in his first year at Barry," Estes said. "We're awfully glad to have him back. I think he's actually improved."

Sophomore forward Marko Tomic averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 boards per game off the bench in his first college season. Senior guard Josh Irving, sophomore guard David Sachs and junior center Theo Turner have all spent time in the system, and could see the floor in different roles this year.

"Theo Turner has really shown a lot of improvement," Estes said. "I've got high hopes he'll be able to step into that lineup and help. Marko Tomic, it looks like he's matured and grown a little bit and gotten a little better. David Sachs looks like he's improved. He'll be in the early rotation as we begin to figure out what's best for us over the long haul."

NEWCOMERS

Sophomore guard Sawyer Glick comes in with a shooting pedigree. He was the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Freshman of the Year last year at Spring Hill after averaging 15.8 points per game. His brother Kooper Glick also transferred to Barry after one season at Rock Valley College after averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.

"The players we were hoping could really help us are the two brothers," Estes said. "One kind of plays inside, and the other plays outside."

Junior center Kenan Guzonjic found his way to Barry after a season at Division I Colorado. He and Wright State transfer Daniel Mortensen will fill holes in the big man vacancies. Both are capable outside shooters.

"Kenan, in time, he's got a lot of talent, I think he can help us," Estes said. "Daniel can shoot the basketball."

Freshman guard David Moya is a projected backup at the point guard spot. Small forward Evan Walshe adds depth off the bench.

"David Moya has had a good preseason. He's really pushing Elvar," Estes said. "He's worked his way to earning some playing time. Evan Walshe has been a pleasant surprise."

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Barry hosts Shaw and Florida National in the Cesar Odio Thanksgiving Classic Nov. 25-26. The Bucs will play Indianapolis in a rematch of a battle in the Health & Sports Center two years ago on Dec. 19.

The Bucs open league play two games into the season when they host Lynn Nov. 16. By Christmas, the Bucs will have played five SSC opponents.

"I don't like playing all the conference games early," Estes said. "I think that's awfully difficult for any of us, and I don't think that brings out the best in our league."

Barry hosts Rollins on Dec. 30 and Xavier (La.) a day later for more holiday hoops. The Bucs host the Virgin Islands Jan. 5 to begin the new year before returning to conference play on the road two days later.

"Our schedule will be competitive, but nothing takes the place of this league," Estes said.

INTANGIBLES

The Bucs broke 11 school records last season. But they start over this year with a new group, including two new additions to the coaching staff.

"Every year is different," Estes said. "Every team has its own personality, has its own identity. It has to take accountability for their own record. This is a new year, a new challenge. This is the year for these guys. We'll see how far they can go. The bar is set very high."

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