Embry-Riddle Defies Preseason Rankings, Readies for SSC Gauntlet
- Team Funcoast
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When the Sunshine State Conference preseason polls were released, the oddsmakers and coaches didn't see much turbulence ahead for the rest of the league when facing Embry-Riddle. Picked to finish seventh out of 11 teams, the Eagles were largely viewed as a mid-pack squad.
Fast forward to February, and the view from the cockpit looks much different.
Currently perched in fourth place, Embry-Riddle (ERAU) has transformed from a projected "spoiler" into a legitimate contender. While the conference leader and the second-ranked team nationally, Nova Southeastern, is the favorite for the title, the Eagles have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite. Recent narrow misses—a four-point loss to second-place Palm Beach and a six-point thriller against third-place Florida Southern—suggest that ERAU is just a few possessions away from a breakthrough.
The Dynamic Duo: Berry and Barr
The Eagles' ascent has been fueled by standout individual performances that have the rest of the SSC on notice.
Jared Berry: The engine of the Eagles' offense, Berry currently ranks third in the league in scoring at 19.8 points per game. He isn't just a volume shooter, either; he ranks second in the conference in assists, proving he can facilitate just as well as he can finish.
Dawson Barr: If Berry is the engine, Barr is the flamethrower. Leading the conference in 3-point percentage, Barr provides the spacing ERAU needs. If he catches fire during the postseason, the Eagles become a nightmare matchup for any defensive scheme.
The Final Descent: A Brutal February Schedule
The Eagles won't have the luxury of cruising into the postseason. The final leg of the schedule is a gauntlet that will decide if they can move even higher in the standings:
Feb. 14: Hosting Florida Southern.
Late February: Hosting conference-leading and No. 2-ranked (NABC Coaches Poll) Nova Southeastern.
Feb. 25: Traveling to take on Palm Beach.
These matchups are more than just games; they are dress rehearsals for the high-stakes environment of the SSC Championship.
Postseason Outlook: Home Court Advantage?
As it stands, the Eagles are in a prime position to host a first-round game. The 2025-26 Sunshine State Conference Men’s Basketball Championship will be played at home sites, meaning the higher seed earns the right to stay put.
Tournament Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, March 3: Quarterfinals
Thursday, March 5: Semifinals
Sunday, March 8: Championship
If the Eagles maintain their No. 4 spot—or climb higher during this final stretch—the road to the title for ERAU will begin in Daytona Beach. For a team picked to finish in the bottom half of the league, "exceeding expectations" might just be an understatement.
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