5 Takeaways: NSU streak; local baseball hero; FIU football schedule and more
On the same night when Conan O’Brien hosted The Oscars and Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic in the Miami-hosted World Baseball Classic semifinals, the NSU Sharks men’s basketball team did what they almost always do … win at home.
Here are your 5 Takeaways on local sports:
1. HOME COOKING FOR NSU
The Sharks’ final home game of the season is on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the South Region final against Alabama-Huntsville (23-9).
NSU (29-1), ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II, has won 104 consecutive home games. That’s the second-longest home streak in NCAA men’s basketball history, regardless of division, trailing only Kentucky’s 129 consecutive wins between 1943 and 1955.
On Sunday, the Sharks beat Montevallo, 98-85, as NSU’s Ryan Reeves scored a game-high 28 points. NSU also got 20 points from Dallas Graziani; 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds from Jaxon Nap; and 19 points from Eli Allen.
NSU is trying to win its second straight national title and its third in four years. Alabama-Huntsville, meanwhile, is seeking revenge. Last year – in this same round and also at NSU’s Rick Case Arena – the Sharks eliminated Alabama-Huntsville, 76-69.
If NSU were to beat Alabama-Huntsville, the Sharks would travel to Pittsburgh to play in the Elite Eight round on March 24. So, either way, Tuesday is NSU’s final home game of the season.
2. HOME COOKING FOR FIU
The Panthers’ football schedule, announced on Friday, features eight of their 12 games played in the state of Florida. In fact, FIU won’t leave Florida until they travel to Alabama to play Jacksonville State on Oct. 1.
FIU will open in Tampa against the USF Bulls on Sept. 5. FIU is 0-2 against USF, losing 21-20 in 2006 and 17-9 in 2008.
That 2008 FIU team was coached by Mario Cristobal. Wonder whatever happened to that guy …
3. HOMETOWN HERO
Left fielder Roman Anthony, who had the go-head home run that helped Team USA defeat the Dominican Republic, 2-1, on Sunday night, is from Broward’s Stoneman Douglas High.
“I’m so proud of him,” Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald told the Miami Herald on Sunday night. “Being on the biggest stage at age 21 – the youngest guy on the team – he’s doing what comes natural to him. He’s always come through in big moments.
“He’s a special talent who’s going to play this game for a long time.”
4. POSITION BATTLES
FIU football coach Willie Simmons said returning offensive lineman Jon Rodriguez is competing with Daveion Harley for the starting center job. Rodriguez, who is from Cardinal Gibbons, redshirted for FIU in 2024 and played 11 games last season. Harley played 25 games in two years at Jacksonville State. Last year, he was on the Cal roster but did not play.
On the defensive line, Simmons praised Nathan Jennings, who played 16 games in the past two years as a South Alabama backup. Elijah Simmons, a fifth-year player who transferred from a junior college, also earned praise.
5. INJURED VETERANS
Kenton Simmons, who started at defensive end for FIU last year, is out this spring due to shoulder surgery, but he should be back for the fall.
Miguel Cedeno, who likely would’ve been a starting offensive tackle this year, is recovering from knee surgery, and he likely won’t return for the star of the 2026 season.
