When Casey Alexander was hired to take over "Florida's Winningest Program", (though they have never been to the NCAA tournament) on April 20th, there was some excitement around the program for the first time since Derek Waugh took over the reigns midway through the season in 2000 (due to Murray Arnolds departure). That team made a monumental run to end the season and bring hope to the Edmunds Center. After 11 failed seasons later Waugh was gone and the Hatters had landed an up and coming assistant to lead a team that had legitimate Division 1 talent returning. Alexander even said so in his press conference when he took the job.
Now lets fast forward to June 22nd. It was officially announced that three members of last years underachieving squad were gone. Leading scorer Ridge Graham, floor Leader Corey Walden and Luis Jacobo were not going to return. Graham kicked out of school for undisclosed reasons, Walden and Jacobo both did not get it done in the classroom. So in essence the Hatters have cleaned house. This happens a lot when a new coach comes in but not in this manner. It was stated in the New Journal article yesterday that Alexander did not force any of the three to leave but it seemed as if it was their own doing. That leads to the question of what happens now?
With Alexander signing a three year contract he has to show improvement over the next few years. That will have to be evaluated in more ways then just wins and losses. With the loss of these players so late in the recruiting game and Stetson's strange hiring process (took way to long) Alexander was behind the eight ball already. He does have a local product in Dennis Diaz coming in the fall. Diaz showed a lot of promise in DeLand's playoff run. His crowning moment came in the regional final when I witnessed him take it to Austin Rivers repeatedly. Can he do that night in and night out in the Asun? That is a big question mark for a freshman. The announcement this morning of the signing of Willie Green a 6'7 forward from Daytona State College is not going to scare the likes of Belmont and Jacksonville. Green redshirted at Western Kentucky and was a three start recruit out of Olympia High School. Those are the positives. The negatives? His numbers at Daytona State 5.3 points per game, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. There are some other moves that will be made in the next few weeks from my sources but in all reality you will be looking at 4-2-4 kids. A look at the current roster and finding W's next year will be hard to come by.
Stetson will be counting on two four year transfers in Adam Pegg and Chris Perez to help lessen the blow of the departures but the rest of the roster is very thin. Joel Naburgs needs to have a breakout season. He was highly regarded by ESPN and considered a go to guy from the start. JR Weston needs to show he is at best a Division 1 role player. Fans also have to hope Steve Forbes gets back on the court after sitting out the fall due to grades.
All of these happenings are not Alexanders fault. It is something he has to deal with. The hope is he can flat out coach and get the most out of his players next year. He must hit the recruiting trail hard and target players who can help in the 2012-2013 season. He does have one major happening that could also help his cause. Belmont will be playing their final season in the Asun in 2011-2012. The Bruins have been a dominant force and word is next year will be their best version yet. Whoever they come up with in Macon to replace Belmont will be nowhere near the program Belmont is.
It seems the commitment level to Stetson basketball has risen since the new President has taken charge. The baseball team is back to national prominence and football is on the horizon. The Olympic sports have been successful over the last decade so it can be done in DeLand. The list of failures is long but lets hope Casey Alexander can right the wrongs and make the program relevant again before the Hatters take the field in the fall of 2013. If he doesn't we all know how football is king in this state. This upcoming winter will most likely be a lot of character building but worth watching for what may come in the future. It would be good for DeLand and Volusia County to have a team to call their own and one day be a part of March Madness.
