Watch CBS News

Barry Hoops Makes History, Tourney Bound in Consecutive Years

By Danny Rabinowitz (@DannyWQAM)

Coach Butch Estes has accomplished many firsts in his two seasons as head coach at Barry University, but his most recent accomplishment may top them all.

For the first time in school history, Barry will be heading to the NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournament in back-to-back years. The Buccaneers had their best season in school history this year going 24-5, possessing a Top 10 national ranking nearly the entire way.

Barry had many highlights this season including handing Florida Southern their only loss, back in January. Now the Bucs may be on a collision course with the country's top ranked team yet again. Florida Southern is the number one seed in the South region while the Bucs are the two seed, so the two could meet again for a fourth time but with a trip to Indiana and the Elite Eight on the line.

The Bucs are led by their seniors Juan Ferrales, Savad Garner, Deric Hill and Jevoni Robinson. Their depth has been one of their strengths as well with the likes of all Sunshine State Conference first teamer Yunio Barrueta, sharpshooters Arie Williams and Anders Haas and go-to scorers Adrian Gonzalez and Tray Leonard.

"We were able to build a foundation for the way coach Estes wanted to run this program and we have done it in a short amount of time," Assistant coach Ryan Saunders said.  "We wanted to become a national contender and we have done that with getting the right kids to buy into our system."

Saunders has been at Barry since his playing days under the great Cesar Odio.

Now the Bucs have an outstanding opportunity in front of them. Barry will play Union University out of Tennessee this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET in Lakeland.

The game can be seen on GoBarryBucs.com with Danny Rabinowitz on the call.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.