When an athletic program moves up a division level, there is normally a grace period of several years before anyone expects that program to be competitive. For UNA men’s basketball, that grace period is over.
After beginning the transition from Division II to Division I in 2018, UNA was granted “active” Division I status in 2022-23. Which means that UNA is now a mere toddler when it comes to competing in the top ecosystem in college sports. Yet, head coach Tony Pujol has his team at 11-6 overall and in a four-team pileup for second place in the Atlantic Sun with a 3-1 conference record. Already this season, the Lions have defeated the likes of Air Force, UL-Monroe, East Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky, and lost in a 97-96 nail biter to Samford on November 15.
It’s safe to say that the Division I download is complete.
Leading the charge for UNA in terms of scoring punch is junior guard and Huntsville native Jacari Lane, who averages 15.8 points per game for the Lions. Emerging as a bona fide star is Taye Fields, Lane’s high school teammate and a Missouri Western transfer, who chips in 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. This past week, Fields earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors after two milestone performances. Against Florida Gulf Coast (FCGU), Fields scored nine points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out eight assists—numbers just shy of a triple double. Then Fields had himself an evening against the Stetson University Hatters, posting 23 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
But Fields is not just turning heads in conference circles; he’s receiving national attention as well. Recently, NBA Draft data analyst Nick Kalinowski has Fields ranked as the fifth-most well-rounded player in all of NCAA basketball. Repeat: “All of NCAA basketball.”
Lane, on the other hand, has exhibited consistent play throughout the season, posting double-figures in scoring in all but three games, including a season-high of 32 points in the narrow loss to Samford. Lane has reached the 20-point mark on five occasions this year and dished out a season-best 10 assists on January 2 against Bellarmine (KY).
Other contributors for the Lions include 6’7” forward Dallas Howell (11.3 PPG, 8 RPG), 6’0” guard Daniel Ortiz (11.2 PPG), 6’6” guard Will Soucie (10.9 PPG), and 6’9” forward Cornelious Williams (9.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG). Homewood native Donte Bacchus (7.0 PPG) and New Orleans product Canin Jefferson (6.9 PPG) provide production as well.
What’s encouraging is that UNA is not just winning, it is winning in impressive fashion. In the 92-64 win against Stetson, UNA set a school record for win margin in an Atlantic Sun Conference game (the previous record was a 22-point victory against Kennesaw State in 2021) and all three of the team’s conference wins this season have been by double digits.
It’s safe to say Pujol has something cooking in Florence. And if this keeps up, it won’t be long before UNA will be on the bracket line for the Big Dance for the first time in program history and the subject of an NCAA tournament office pool discussion.
No matter how long it takes UNA to make it, though, the program has solidified itself as a D-I contender and there’s no turning back.
As the famous lyrics to the song “Hotel California” go, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” TG
Photos courtesy North Alabama Athletics
