Men's basketball team plays for conference title Wednesday

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team is one win away from clinching its second straight Mid-Florida Conference championship.

The Titans can clinch that championship Wednesday night at Titan Field House when they host Daytona State College in a battle for first place. Both teams come into the matchup 8-2 in the conference and with just two games remaining, the winner will lock up the title.

"Coach Morris does an unbelievable job at Daytona State College and they are one of the most talented teams in the nation," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Jeremy Shulman said. "They have talent at every position, so we know what we are up against and we have played them twice already and are excited for the challenge and opportunity."

The teams have split the first two meetings with each team winning on the road. The Titans won the last meeting 88-80 on Feb. 2 and lead the series 5-2 in the past six seasons.

The Titans come into the matchup on a seven-game winning streak after starting the conference season 1-2 and have not lost since the first Daytona State College matchup on Jan. 16.

"It's a testament to our guys, they have done an unbelievable job of getting better and being focused," Shulman said. "Just really proud of the guys for getting better throughout the conference season."

After Wednesday night's game the program will honor the seven sophomores on the team.

Guards Jalen Warren, Junior Madut, Nathanael Jack, Ayo Dada and Adriel Rosa along with forwards Nick Stampley and Ilija Stefanovic.

"I don't think we have had a sophomore night like this yet," Shulman said. "We are playing for a conference championship and our guys aren't even thinking about sophomore night and being honored. They are thinking about Daytona and about the conference.  Hopefully we have a good process that leads us to a good result Wednesday and really honor this amazingly special group after the game."

Warren, Jack, Madut and Rosa have been with the program two seasons and are a win away from two straight conference titles.

"They are part of a team that won 30 games and finished third in the country, to come back and lead us to where we are today, literally the blood, sweat and tears that these guys have poured into the program – I know I am forever indebted to them," Shulman said.

The men's game will follow the women's game on Wednesday with the tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and admission is free to Titan Field House on the Melbourne campus.