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LOCATION: Tallahassee, FL
CONFERENCE: Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC)
LAST SEASON: 12-19 (.387)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-11 (7th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 2/3
NICKNAME: Rattlers
COLORS: Orange & Green
HOMECOURT: Jake Gaither Gym (3,365)
COACH: Mickey Clayton (Florida A&M '75)
record at school 33-61 (3 years)
career record 33-61 (3 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Melvin Smith (La Salle '88)
Jim Baxter (Indiana State '73)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 5-8-8-13-12
RPI (last 5 years) 300-301-285-261-249
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in NCAA first round.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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The Florida A&M Rattlers were probably the most celebrated 12-19 team of all time last year. And they deserved it. If you follow college basketball, you must know about the amazing story of the 1998-99 Florida A&M season. In a nutshell, the Rattlers began the season 0-10 and 1-13, lost two starters to injury and struggled through an 8-18 regular season. Then in one incredible weekend, Mickey Clayton's club won four straight games at the MEAC Tournament to claim the conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. Florida A&M drew top-seed Duke in Charlotte. Clayton seemed to be on every talk show across the country, telling stories about what the team had gone through and about his brother who, after Florida A&M won the league title game over South Carolina State, put up a sign on TV that said "We want Duke." Clayton responded by jokingly telling the media his brother had escaped from a mental institution. And when the Rattlers got to Charlotte, they understood their huge underdog role and enjoyed the NCAA Tournament experience. Clayton had the press corps laughing for 15 minutes with witty comments and even drew a standing ovation from the media after his press conference was over. The only bad part about the tournament experience was actually playing Duke. The Blue Devils romped, 99-68, but Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had good things to say about Florida A&M. "We're honored to play them," said Krzyzewski before the tournament. "They showed a lot of heart coming back from the start they had. Coach Clayton and his staff should be commended for the job they've done this year."
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT C+ BENCH/DEPTH C-
FRONTCOURT C- INTANGIBLES C+
Don't believe coach Mickey Clayton's statment that the Rattlers are just looking to rebuild this year and are a year away with just one senior on its roster. We think Clayton is building something special in Tallahassee and soon will be among the teams to beat in the MEAC every year, just like Coppin State and South Carolina State. It just won't happen this year, but Florida A&M will be competitive in the league. Look for the Rattlers to finish around the middle of the pack this year, but watch out come tournament time. This is a team that survived a 1-13 start, an accident on the way to the airport to the conference tournament and won four MEAC Tournament games in four days with only nine players. Still, you can't pick the Rattlers too high, because there are some questions about their inside game and the scoring of Monroe Pippin that must be replaced. Call it a sixth-place finish and a trip to the semifinals of the league tournament. Who knows what might happen after that? |
After the game, Clayton made the media laugh one more time when someone asked what it was like to lose to a team like Duke. "We got a whipping and there's no two ways about that," said Clayton. "It's kind of like asking the prettiest girl in school out and she said no. Later she becomes Miss America, and that's great to say you knew her, but she still didn't go out with you." One thing to remember about the Rattlers' run in the MEAC tournament it wasn't a fluke. Florida A&M was without question the best team in the tournament. The Rattlers disposed of Howard, 68-46, in the first round, then roared past league kingpin Coppin State in the quarterfinals, 81-69. Florida A&M whipped Morgan State, 62-56, in the semifinals and then edged past top seed South Carolina State 64-61 in the championship game. Four wins in four days, and with only nine players. For Clayton, last year's tournament run was just one more step in making Florida A&M one of the elite programs in the MEAC. The fourth-year coach knows that the Rattlers haven't arrived yet, but last year was a giant step in the right direction. The Florida A&M graduate has made progress every year. but no matter where his program is in a few years, you can tell that last year's "Noble Nine" will always have a special place in his heart. "We started out 1-13, but the kids never gave up and kept working hard," said Clayton. "We emphasized defense and the guys took to that and got the job done. We went 11-5 in the second half of the season, so it's to the kids' credit that they never gave up." This appears to be a bit of a rebuilding season for the Rattlers, and Clayton is the first to admit it. "We've graduated some key players and we have a lot of young players this season," said Clayton. "We're going to have to reload. And this year in the MEAC, it seems like a lot of teams are senior-oriented, but not our team. We have more juniors and sophomores on it. This team might be a year away from being pretty good." Though Florida A&M graduated its top player in guard Monroe Pippins, who earned MEAC Tournament MVP honors, there is still some talent returning. Three starters are back and six players return. It stands to reason the veterans would have confidence after last year's great postseason run. Heading the returnees is 6-0 sophomore point guard Morris Scott (8.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 98 assists, 90 steals). Scott did a great job running the point for the Rattlers and his season mirrored the team's. He got better as the year went on. "Morris sets the tempo for us with his intensity," said Clayton. "He's a very good defensive player and is a hard worker with a great deal of determination. Morris did a great job for us last year, and we expect him to be even better this season." Providing depth in the backcourt will be 6-1 sophomore guard John Cuyler (4.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 53 assists). Cuyler was forced to play a lot last year and did a respectable job in a reserve role. "John is one of our most athletic players and he was part of our 'Noble Nine' last season," said Clayton. "He's a combination player for us who will vie for playing time. His defense is very good and he'll get some time this season." Travis Grant (5.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 29 3-pointers), a 6-4 senior guard, picked up his play in the second half of the season and enjoyed a great MEAC Tournament with 16 points in the first half in the Rattlers' quarterfinal win over Coppin State. Grant is expected to do more this season. He'll play some at the shooting-guard slot and small forward. "Travis is an excellent perimeter shooter who can hit the three," said Clayton. "He stepped up his play defensively and really helped us down the stretch. We need him to have more games like he had against Coppin State in the tournament." Clayton hopes that 6-6 junior forward Kendric Green (8.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg) can have a breakthrough year. The Miami native can play either forward spot but must improve his shooting. He shot just 33 percent from the field and 54 percent from the free-throw line. "We're looking for Kendric to break through this year," said Clayton. "He's got some games under his belt now, and that should make him better this season. He's a versatile player who can play either forward spot for us, and we'll use him in both spots during the season." Last year's sixth man, 6-9 junior center Jamaal Rhodes (5.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 23 blocked shots) returns and should be ready to be the Rattlers starter in the pivot this season. "Jamaal was a big factor for us down the stretch as our sixth man, but we're looking at him as our projected starter at center," said Clayton. "He runs the floor very well and has some offensive skills." Jamie Johnson (4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg), a 6-8 senior, and 6-6 sophomore Clayton Jenkins (0.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg) were reserve forwards last year and should do more of the same this season. "Jamie and Clayton give us some stability and experience in the frontcourt," Clayton said. Clayton and his staff have brought in a talented recruiting class. Six new players will be on the Florida A&M roster, and Clayton expects some of those to earn significant minutes this year. The backcourt should be helped by the addition of 5-9 junior point guard Janero Hemphill from Lincoln (Ill.) College. "Janero is going to be a key player for us, because he'll allow us to do several things," said Clayton. "We'll be able to slide Morris Scott to the shooting-guard spot and he'll allow to play more of a transition game. We also like the fact that he can really get after people on defense. He can also score, and he'll give us some offense that we'll need." A late signee for the Rattlers was 6-7 forward/center Jermaine Diggs from Catonsville (Md.) Junior College. Diggs is an athletic player who could really step in and play some this year at either power forward or center "Jermaine plays above the rim and runs the floor very well," said Clayton. "He is very athletic and we expect him to be a factor and make a contribution for us this season." Also expected to help in the backcourt will be 6-3 junior college transfer Blaine Henry. "Blaine will be a swingman for us and we expect to contribute because he's a very heady player," said Clayton. "He can get in the lane and score and he's also a good shooter." Another swingman expected to contribute right away is 6-3 junior-college transfer Charles Walker. Walker comes to Tallahassee from Kemper Military College in Boonville, Mo. Walker averaged 22.0 points last year and is known as an excellent three-point shooter. "Charles can score and he can shoot the three," said Clayton. "He'll really give us some depth in the backcourt and we expect to make an impact for us this season." One of two freshmen on this year's Florida A&M roster is 6-9 center Abdelkhordire Cisse. Cisse is from Philadelphia Christian Academy. "He's a raw talent who has some developing to do," said Clayton. "We think he could possibly give us some help inside this year, but realistically his best basketball is ahead of him. We think he has a bright future and we're excited to work with him." Mike Shipp, a 5-10 walk-on guard, will provide some depth in the backcourt. Shipp walks on Florida A&M after helping lead Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla., to a state title last year.
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