Written By: Richard Salvatori – You can follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori
Since FGCU broke down all historical barriers en route to a Sweet 16 appearance, all of the talk has centered around head coach Andy Enfield, his apparent wealth and his smoking-hot wife.
But take a look at this roster and you will see a lot more than just a coach whose pockets may or may not be stacked. Enfield had a plan from the very start in developing this group, and their thrashing of the Miami Hurricanes back in November should have been a warning sign for all to take note of.
Bernard Thompson stands only 6’3 and weighs only 166. But the Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year could probably care less. He was the 89th ranked shooting guard by ESPN in the class of 2011 rankings, but I’m guessing that mattered little to Enfield when he was going through the recruiting process.
Thompson is lightning quick and was a key figure in applying ball pressure against Georgetown in the first round. Gulf Coast incorporated a zone look that exhibited constant movement and excellent close-out techniques.
Joining him in the backcourt is Brett Comer, a 2 star recruit who came in the same year as Thompson. Comer had several outlandish games this season in terms of turnovers. He coughed up the pill 6 times against VCU, 5 times against Duke and Maine and 7 against Mercer, all losses. But Comer didn’t seem to remember any of that when he took the court against the Hoyas and Aztecs in Philly last weekend. He had 10 assists and 2 turnovers against G’Town and 14 assists versus 3 turnovers on Sunday against SDSU. Comer is a smooth guard who plays with confidence and looks for his teammates relentlessly. He is the definition of a true, lead guard, and Enfield must be supremely confident with him running the show.
Next up is (shockingly) only one of two seniors on this dynamic roster: Sherwood Brown. Brown is listed at 6’4 but he plays like a 6’6 or 6’7 type of wing. He is solid defensively, a good shooter and does not force plays. But perhaps his biggest contribution would have to be the pregame speeches he delivered before both victories. A smaller man may have tried to do too much or relish the moment and camera. Brown spent a maximum of 30 seconds in each cameo getting his teammates fired up with winks and grins that showcased a carefree and spirited attitude that more youngsters should observe.
Eddie Murphy is maybe the best all-around comedian ever, but Eddie Murray is not quite as famous. The 6’8 senior averages slightly under 4 points per game and only a shade over 17 minutes per outing. During an eight game stretch that saw the Gulf Coast go 4-4, including losses to Maine, East Tennessee State and Lipscomb, Murray tallied only a total of 18 points wasn’t playing much. Since that Lipscomb loss, Murray has seen double digits in minutes in every game and has provided the spark that only an athletic, 6’8 body can provide for a school that one would think is limited in terms of inside depth.
Eric McKnight and Chase Fieler, however, would probably disagree with that assertion as well. Both completely dominated the glass and protected the rim admirably in their two upsets. McKnight is an incredibly interesting case. While watching him on Sunday night, I couldn’t help but question as to how he ended up on Andy Enfield’s roster. His bio on the FGCU athletics page indicates Indiana, Maryland, Missouri and (wait for it) Georgetown also recruited him. He went to Iowa State and apparently had little success there. Playing behind Royce White, a young Melvin Ejim and Craig Brackins perhaps makes more sense out of the situation. Whatever he lacked at Iowa State, he clearly developed under Enfield, and he hasn’t looked back since. McKnight has two years left at FGCU, and although he lacks the skillset to enter the draft this year, I expect pro scouts to take serious notice sooner or later.
And let’s not forget Christopher Varidel. Look at any play by play from Sunday night and his performance at the beginning of the second half was stunning. He was not only connecting from deep, but was penetrating and getting to the foul line at will against one of the top 30 defenses in America. But things weren’t always so grand for Varidel. He came to this country from Switzerland with the hopes of playing major college basketball. His father’s passing combined with thoughts of transferring after a 10-20 season back in 2011 had him questioning his decision to leave home. Yet, Varidel stayed the course. And he, like Brett Comer who also lost a father to a battle with lung cancer just a few years ago, were rewarded for their labor on Sunday. Their offensive production was outstanding, and it has become apparent that the Gulf Coasters are no one trick pony.
I expect the Gators of Florida to put Gulf Coast away for good tonight. I just think they are too good and too sound defensively. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong, But either way the boys from Fort Myers have left us with a story for the ages. They are clearly a group that not only believes in themselves and each other, but also in their head coach.
We can sit here and analyze this tournament all we want. From statistics to trends, the way handicappers try to get an edge varies greatly depending on who you talk to, but let’s not forget to sit back and enjoy the moment. The kids playing out here all have different stories and backgrounds. They represent America and the diversity and work ethic that make this country what it is.
The NCAA tournament is about as awesome an event as you can create and Florida Gulf Coast reminds us that, despite the ups and downs of everyday life and the hardships that many may endure, you just have to survive and advance.