Fort Myers, FL- From November 26th-December 1st, FGCU plays host to Florida Institute of Technolgy, University of North Dakota, Campbell University, and Georgia Southern University for a tournament full of competitive mid majors at Alico Arena.
Florida Tech
The Panthers are currently an NCAA Division II team playing in the Sunshine State Conference. They are 2-3 so far this season with wins over Puerto Rico- Bayamon and Johnson University. Florida Tech is led by Head Coach Billy Sims.
Players to watch for:
SO 6’1 G SeSean Russell 25.8 ppg
Prediction:
Fgcu will defeat FIT with no issues.
FGCU 76 FIT 62
Eagles won the game 73-59.
North Dakota
The Fighting Hawks play in the Summit league and are led by Head Coach Paul Sather. They are 2-4 with their wins against Crown College and North Central University, both non NCAA D1 teams. Their losses include #7/#8 Gonzaga, Valpo, Milwaukee, and Minnesota. UND comes into Fort Myers with no NCAA D1 wins, Eagles have to take advantage of this and earn the victory.
Players to watch for:
JR 6’9 F Filip Rebraca 17.8 ppg
SR 6’3 G Marlon Stewart 16.0 ppg
FR 6’6 G De’Sean Allen-Eikens 14.0 ppg
Predicton:
This game should be the most likely for the Eagles to win since UND hasn’t beaten any NCAA Division I opponents. It’s another team with some Seniors but overall a very young Fighting Hawks team.
FGCU 67 UND 58
Campbell University
The Fighting Camels are 4-1 and play in the Big South conference. Their key wins have been against Coastal Carolina (75-74) and The Citadel (87-73). Campbell is coached by Kevin McGheehan.
Players to watch for:
JR 6’3 G Ja’cor Nelson 11.8 ppg
SR 6’4 G Cory Gensler 11.5 ppg
6’6 FR G Cedric Henderson Jr 10.8 ppg
Prediction:
Highly contested game with a Campbell team that could bring the best out of FGCU. Campbell just played Jacksonville University and won 62-57 at home but we expect the Dolphins to be a terrible team this season in conference play. Campbell wins but it’s closer than expected.
CAMPBELL 76 FGCU 68
Georgia Southern University
The Eagles are 3-2 and play in the Sun Belt conference. Their key wins include defeating Radford (76-73) and Mercer (98-88) and loss to fellow ASUN rival, UNF (80-77). They are coached by Mark Byington.
Key players to watch for:
6’4 SO G Elijah McCadden 15.8 ppg
SR 6’7 F Isaiah Crawley 14.2 ppg
SR 6’4 G Ike Smith 13.5 ppg
Three additional players averaging in double figures including Simeon Carter (11.5 ppg), Quan Jackson (11.4 ppg), and Calvin Wishart (10.8 ppg)
Prediction:
Georgia Southern has 6 players averaging in double figures scoring wise. They are a super disciplined upperclassmen laden lineup and will give FGCU fits.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 86 FGCU 74
Conclusion:
We expect the Eagles to go 2-2 in this four game stretch at Alico Arena. Going 3-1 and picking up a win against either Campbell or Georgia Southern could pay dividends leading into the final stretch of non conference play. With games left on the road vs South Dakota State University, USC, and FIU, wins will still be hard to come by, so let’s hope the Eagles can give us two compete halves of basketball turning the ball over less in this stretch of games. Enjoy the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic! Go Eagles!
Eagles Nest Cast 