Nova Southeastern Men's Basketball: Why This Dynasty Still Matters

Nova Southeastern Men's Basketball: Why This Dynasty Still Matters

You’ve probably seen the scores. 130-70. 106-78. 123-52. They look like typos or maybe a video game glitch, but for anyone following Nova Southeastern men's basketball, these blowouts are just another Tuesday night in Fort Lauderdale.

Most people outside of South Florida don't realize what's actually happening at the Rick Case Arena. It isn't just a "good" Division II program. It’s a relentless, high-octane machine that has basically broken the traditional logic of college hoops. As of January 2026, the Sharks are sitting on a 94-game home winning streak. Ninety-four. That dates back to early 2020.

Think about that.

The world has changed entirely since the last time this team lost a game on their own floor.

The Chaos Theory of Jim Crutchfield

When Jim Crutchfield took over the program in 2017, the Sharks were coming off a 6-20 season. Fast forward to now, and he’s the winningest coach in the history of the sport by percentage, boasting a career mark that hovers around .840. He didn't do it by playing safe.

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Crutchfield’s system—often called "The System" or simply "Crutchball"—is a nightmare for opponents. It's built on a full-court press that never stops. It forces turnovers at a rate that feels like harassment. In the 2022-23 season, they went a perfect 36-0 to win their first national title. Then they went out and won another one in 2025, beating Cal State Dominguez Hills in a 74-73 thriller.

Honestly, it’s exhausting to watch, let alone play against.

The Sharks lead the nation in scoring year after year because they refuse to let the game slow down. They want you tired. They want you frustrated. They want the game to be a track meet where they have the faster runners and better lungs.

What’s Happening Right Now (2025-2026 Season)

If you think the graduation of superstars like MJ Iraldi or RJ Sunahara slowed them down, you haven't been paying attention. The current squad is 12-1 and ranked #3 in the nation.

The Ross Reeves Factor

Ross Reeves just hit a massive milestone. In a recent 91-73 win over Rollins College, he cleared 2,000 career points. He’s a walking bucket. Against Florida Tech on January 14, 2026, he put up 24 points and snatched six steals.

He’s the engine.

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But he isn’t alone. Dallas Graziani is still out there doing Dallas Graziani things—setting assist records, grabbing seven rebounds as a 5-foot-8 guard, and generally being the most annoying defender in the Sunshine State Conference.

New Blood in the Water

The roster reloaded with some serious talent. You’ve got:

  • Bobby Rosenberger III: A transfer who brings a championship pedigree.
  • Jaxon Nap: A big man who can actually run the floor in this system.
  • Michael Santicola: A freshman who is already finding his way into the rotation.

They recently dismantled Florida Tech 106-78 to secure that 94th straight home win. It wasn't even close. They outscored them in the paint 42-18. When you're playing Nova Southeastern men's basketball, you aren't just playing a team; you're playing a pace.

Why Nobody Can Stop the Press

The common misconception is that you just need "fast guards" to beat Nova. Wrong. You need depth. Crutchfield rotates players like a hockey coach.

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The Sharks often have nine or ten players seeing double-digit minutes. By the time the ten-minute mark of the second half hits, most opponents are literally gasping for air. That's when the 10-0 runs happen. That's when a four-point lead becomes a twenty-point landslide.

The Road Ahead

The Sharks are currently 7-1 in the SSC. Their only blemish was a five-point road loss to Palm Beach Atlantic back in December. Every team in the country circles the NSU game on their calendar. It’s their Super Bowl.

Can they win a third title in four years?

History says yes. The "Gold Standard" of the Sunshine State Conference isn't changing anytime soon. With former National Player of the Year RJ Sunahara now on the coaching staff as an assistant, the culture is baked into the floorboards.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts

  1. Watch a Home Game: If you're in South Florida, get to the Rick Case Arena. The home win streak is a piece of living history.
  2. Track the Turnovers: If you're betting or analyzing, look at the "Points off Turnovers" stat. If NSU is +15 in that category, the game is usually over by halftime.
  3. Follow the Road Trip: The Sharks play Lynn University on January 17. Road games in the SSC are the only time this team looks even remotely human.

The dominance of Nova Southeastern men's basketball is a masterclass in identity. They know who they are, they know how they play, and they dare you to do something about it. So far, for 94 straight games at home, nobody has.