By Don Trello
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
Saint Leo University (SLU) men’s basketball coach Lance Randall knows how to rebuild a program from the ground up.
He took over the down-and-out Lions last season and brought them to their first Division II NCAA Tournament.
The progression has continued in Year 2, with SLU ending regular season play 20-6 and 12-4 in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The 12 conference victories represent the most for the program since joining the SSC in 1975.
Saint Leo finished in a tie for first place in the SSC with Florida Southern, the first time in the program has won or shared a conference title.
The Lions have locked up the No. 1 seed in the SSC tournament that runs March 6 through 10 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Saint Leo opens up play at 2:30 p.m. March 8.
Randall, who was associate head coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point before coming to SLU, led the Lions to an 18-12 overall record and 10-6 conference mark last season.
It was the first winning record for the Lions in 14 years, and Randall was named SSC Coach of the Year following the season.
“Many years ago (former Michigan coach) Johnny Orr said we take the rebuilding jobs because they are the most rewarding,” Randall said. “I love the challenge of turning a program around.”
Much of the Lions’ success is built around a group of players from Wisconsin who transferred to Saint Leo.
The Northern contingent includes seniors Marcus Ruh (16.5 points), Trent Thomas (13.3 points) and Tom Neary (5.2 points) along with junior Jerrel Harris (14.6 points). Shaun Adams, of Missouri, (8.8 points) is the fifth starter.
“We have more Wisconsin natives on our team than both Wisconsin and Marquette,” Randall said. “You start with getting great talent and character.
“We wanted guys who fit our tough style of play, and Northern college students like the appeal of spending time in Florida,” Randall added. “The players believed we would immediately turn the program around.”
Ruh spent two seasons at Wisconsin-Eau Claire before transferring to SLU.
“I spent two years playing in Division III and I thought I could play D-II,” the 6-foot-4 Ruh said. “Coach did a good job bringing in the right kids. Our team has guys with mental and physical toughness.”
Ruh, who made the 2012 All-SSC first team, extended his accomplishments beyond the basketball court this season when he was recently named Division II 2012-13 Capital One Academic All-American of the Year.
“My parents emphasized academics over athletics,” said Ruh, who has a perfect 4.0 grade point average. “The fact I was recognized for both is awesome.”
Harris’ contributions include going 73-of-163 (44.8 percent) from 3-point range, and scoring 380 points.
“We really have two point guards, Ruh and Jerrel Harris,” Randall said. “Ruh can handle the ball and has size and strength. He’s a very efficient basketball player. … Harris is very explosive and shoots the ball exceptionally well with great range. He’s very good in transition and can find shots on the floor.”
Thomas had planned on attending Division I Eastern Illinois University, but those plans fell through and he landed at Saint Leo.
“Me and Jerrel have known each other since seventh grade, and we played on the same AAU team during the summer,” said Thomas, who stands 6-foot-4. “I pretty much came here on faith and hope without a visit. I felt it was a fit right away.”
Neary is the son of former Marquette forward Bill Neary, who was a member of the 1976-77 national championship team. Adams leads the team with 173 rebounds.
“Tom Neary is a talented player who exudes toughness and consistency behind the scorers,” Randall said. “Adams is one of the best athletes in the league. He has a lot of toughness, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Randall and his players are getting ready for the SSC tournament with guarded optimism.
“I think the conference tournament is wide open; there are no bad teams,” said Randall, whose team beat the Miami Hurricanes 69-67 in an exhibition this season. “It will come down to who’s playing well. There are no teams that cannot win it.”
Visit lakerlutznews.com and click the sports link for a recap of the Lions conference matchup against Eckerd.
