FGCU/JU PREVIEW

Jacksonville, FL- FGCU (6-16, 3-4) faces Jacksonville University (10-12, 3-4) Thurday night from Swisher Gymnasium at 7 PM.

FGCU needs a win to have a .500 record halfway through their ASUN schedule. Being 3-5 with a road game at Liberty approaching Saturday, would be crippling and we could see their hope of a home quarterfinal game in the ASUN tournament dwindle away. The Eagles have done this to themselves and lost two very winnable games vs UNA and NJIT. The road win vs Stetson is the big win they have had so far this season in conference play but not being able to come through and steal some games whether on the road or at home is the reason FGCU is looking up at most of the conference from 7th place.

Is this the game Coach Fly finally sits Sam Gagliardi? So many questions still remain with his starting lineup. Tracy Hector Jr had some really bad cramping during the NJIT game and we think he should be available but if we are wrong there are minutes for Dakota Rivers or Qwanzi Samuels to fill in at forward or Zach Scott coming in and going with the guard combo of Catto/Warren/Scott.

Stats:

Jacksonville averages 66.2 points per game, they shoot 42% from the field, and around 31% from beyond the arc. The Dolphins average 38.7 rebounds per game. JU dishes out 11.2 assists per game, and on the defensive side of the ball average 5.2 steals per game, and 2.3 blocks per game. Jacksonville also averages 14.3 team turnovers per game.

Players To Watch For:

6’10 SR F David Bell 11.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg

6’7 JR F Destin Barnes 11.0 ppg

5’10 SR G Aamahne Santos 8.8 ppg

Possible Starting Lineup (FGCU):

G-Caleb Catto

G-Scott/Gagliardi

G-Jalen Warren

F-Tracy Hector Jr

C-Justus Rainwater

Possible Starting Lineup (JU):

G-Aamanne Santos

G-Deanthony McCallum

G-Mo Arnold

F-Destin Barnes

C-David Bell

Prediction:

FGCU 62 JU 59