By Patrick Chalvire/Staff Writer
It has been a year filled with its share of ups and downs that would make even the scariest ride at the fair look like a piece of cake, but for two seniors getting ready to end their time at FIU, its been a blessed battle.
Senior forward Tymell Murphy and redshirt senior forward Rakeem Buckles could have chosen to pursue a different path. For Murphy, it could have been an early exit to a professional career. For Buckles, a third start. Instead, both men chose to stick to their commitments despite all odds.
Earlier in the season, Murphy jokingly called himself and Buckles as the Batman and Robin of the team and as the two led the team throughout the season in almost every statistical category, the comparison seemed fitting.
The seniors began to set records and make a name for themselves but it all could have easily been a dream.
Prior to the 2013-2014 season, the men’s basketball team was looking at a postseason at home and watching basketball games on TV, rather than being in a conference tournament. The future looked bleak and no one would have blamed the seniors for wanting to leave early, except for themselves.
Murphy, recruited out of junior college, chose to continue both his school and basketball education under a new head coach with ties to his native Brooklyn, New York.
Senior Tymell Murphy scored 19 points in his final outing at the U.S. Century Bank Arena.
“This season for me was a learning experience in all aspects, not just basketball,” Murphy said. “I made a commitment to Coach [Anthony] Evans early and I was going to stick to that commitment. He’s shaped me into a different person than I was before I met him. I really am glad I came back because I learned a lot.”
Buckles also had his share of turmoil in his career.
Originally recruited by Louisville, he saw his career as a Cardinal cut shorter than expected due to a series of season-ending injuries. While as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville, Richard Pitino agreed to become the next head coach at FIU after the 2011-12 season. Pitino had recruited Buckles and as Pitino left, so did Buckles, as he returned to where he grew up.
After taking his new team to a conference championship game, Pitino left to the University of Minnesota after just one season at FIU and before Buckles had a chance to even set foot on the court, but for the Miami native, the decision to stay was one he does not regret.
“My college career had its ups and down,” Buckles said. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going with the flow, I mean, whatever life is for me, that’s what I try to…keep a smile on my face and go from there. I was excited to be here. It was great, I just want to thank coach [Evans] for the opportunity to play here. It was fun.”
Head Coach Anthony Evans took the FIU job with the understanding that the team would be facing a postseason ban, new faces and most importantly, a jump from the Sun Belt Conference to Conference USA.
With the help from the teams seniors, including Steven Miro, Ivan Jurkovic, George Naldjieff, Murphy and Buckles, the transition was a lot smoother than anticipated.
“I told them when I first got here I will forever be grateful to them for helping to lay a foundation for this program,” Evans said. “Moving into Conference USA was a great decision. It’s a tough league. I think Tymell, Rakeem, Ivan, all those guys. They’ve done a great job of helping to lay a positive foundation for the program.”
Sunday’s matchup versus the Tulane University Green Wave marked the last home game for the 2013-14 season, as well as a few milestones made along the way.
Families, friends and those close to FIU were on hand to catch the Panthers final home game, including San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and FIU President Mark Rosenberg.
Buckles scored a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, which was double-double number 13 of the season. The 13 double-doubles also lead the conference.
Murphy finished with 19 points, moving him into No. 7 all-time in career scoring with 971 points. The previous spot had been held by former Panther and former NBA star Raja Bell.
The Panthers finished with a 9-6 home record for the season and will finish the regular season at Florida Atlantic University, Thursday. FIU won their first meeting against the Owls 66-57 on Jan. 25.
-patrick.chalvire@fiusm.com