FIU PREVIEW

Miami,FL– FGCU (2-8) heads to the East Coast to face in-state rival FIU (5-3) Wednesday night. The Eagles, losers of four of the past five games, and currently on a three game losing streak and are still trying to put two complete halves together for Coach Fly.

Outlook:

Jeremy Ballard is Head Coach and in his 2nd season at FIU. Former FGCU assistant Coach, David Cason, who spent one season with the Eagles, is the Associate Head Coach and in his 2nd season with the program. FIU is 5-3 on the season with D1 wins over Cleveland State (107-61), Eastern Kentucky (89-70), and New Hampshire (71-70). They also lost to Mississipi State (77-69) and North Carolina State (86-77) in the early part of their non conference schedule. FIU averages 84.0 points per game and that ranks them 14th in the NCAA for that category. They also have 85 steals in their first 8 games of the season which ranks them 9th in the NCAA, to go along with 58 blocks which is 1st in the NCAA. FIU is gifted and talented both offensively and defensively.

Players to watch for:

6’6 R-SR F Devon Andrews 17.8 ppg

6’9 SR F Osasumwen Osaghae 13.1 ppg

6’1 SO G Antonio Daye Jr 9.9 ppg

Projected Starting Lineup (FIU):

G-Banks

G-Brewer

G-Daye

F-Andrews

F-Osaghae

Projected Starting Lineup (FGCU):

G-Scott

G-Catto

G-Gagliardi

G-Hardy

C-Rainwater

Preview:

FIU averages 84 points per game and with their forwards Osaghae and Andrews combining for over 31 points, Justus Rainwater is going to have his hands full down low. FGCU is averaging 60.4 points per game, ranking them 336th in the NCAA so once again the Eagles have to make this game ugly to stay competitive, while FIU wants to get involved in a shootout. The true story of this game is FGCU trying to keep up with the Golden Panthers in the first half of this game.

Prediction:

Nate: FIU 73 FGCU 52

Jack: FIU 83 FGCU 62