West Palm Beach, FL- FGCU (9-1) looks to continue their strong non-conference season, as they face Big 10 member Michigan State University (7-4), Monday morning on the campus of Keiser University as part of the West Palm Beach Invitational.
Stats:
MSU averages 78.4 ppg, shoot 47.9% (315/668) from the field, and 37.7% (84/223) from beyond the arc. The Spartans average 35.4 team rebounds per game. MSU dishes out 19.6 assists, 8.7 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game. The Spartans average 15.4 team turnovers per game.
Players To Watch For (MSU):
5’8 SR G Nia Clouden 19.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg
6’0 FR G/F Matilda Ekh 11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg
6’3 GR F Alisia Smith 7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Players To Watch For (FGCU):
6’1 JR G Kierstan Bell 23.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg
5’3 SR G TK Morehouse 11.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg
5’7 GR G Kendall Spray 11.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Overview:
FGCU heads into the West Palm Beach Invitational, looking to pick up another win over a power 5 team, Michigan State. The Spartans are led by SR G Nia Clouden, who averages 19.2 ppg. Michigan State’s 2nd leading scorer was Alyza Winston, who was averaging 12.2 ppg before entering the transfer portal last week. The Spartans are led by Head Coach Suzy Merchant, who is in her 15th season in East Lansing.
Kierstan Bell’s matchup with Nia Clouden is the most intriguing matchup in the West Palm Beach Invitational this week. Kierstan is the top scoring player in the ASUN Conference (23.6 ppg), while Nia Clouden is the 4th leading scorer in the Big 10 Conference (19.2 ppg). Head Coaches Karl Smesko vs Suzy Merchant, pits two of the best coaches in the NCAA to square off head to head.
Michigan State has wins over Morehead State, Niagara, Valparaiso, Bryant, Oakland, Marshall, and Illinois. Their losses include road losses vs Fordham, St Francis Brooklyn, and #9/#11 Iowa, while losing at home vs #24/#25 Notre Dame.
Prediction:
FGCU 81 MSU 73
Eagles Nest Cast 
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