LIBERTY/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU (11-6, 1-2 ASUN) losers of their last two ASUN Conference games, face a tough test in Liberty University (11-6, 2-0 ASUN) Saturday night at 7 PM from Alico Arena.

Stata (LU):

Liberty averages 72.4 ppg, shoots 47.9% (439/917) from the field, and 37.4% (174/465) from beyond the arc. The Flames average 33.1 team rebounds per game. Liberty dishes out 14.6 assists, 6.1 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. The Flames average 11.5 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 76.1 ppg, shoots 44.8% (457/1020) from the field, and 35.0% (177/505) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 38.6 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 16.3 assists, 7.5 steals, and 4.8 blocks per game. The Eagles average 14.7 team turnovers per game.

Players To Watch For (LU):

Darius McGhee 21.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg

Keegan McDowell 10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg

Shiloh Robinson 9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Players To Watch For (FGCU):

Tavian Dunn-Martin 19.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg

Cyrus Largie 11.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg

Kevin Samuel 11.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg

Overview:

FGCU has struggled in their first few ASUN Conference road games, and their sluggish play has resulted in a 1-2 record in the softest part of their conference schedule. The Eagles get their toughest test this weekend, facing Liberty University. The Flames were picked to win the ASUN Conference in both the Media and Coaches Polls, and have the unanimous ASUN Preseason Player of the Year, and ASUN Preseason All-Conference guard Darius McGhee (21.3 ppg) at the helm. Liberty leaves the ASUN Conference for Conference USA next season, and these will be the last two regular season conference games the Eagles will face the Flames. Liberty is led by Head Coach Ritchie McKay, and he has been with the program since 2015. He is in his 2nd stint with the program also coaching the Flames from 2007-2009. The Flames played a non-conference schedule which included games vs LSU, Missouri, Iona, Stanford, Northern Iowa, and BYU.

FGCU has to put their past two losses behind them and get back to basics vs Liberty. FGCU can’t shoot the way they shot in the first half of their game vs KSU, and expect to only be down 7 points at the half. The Eagles have to lean on their guards Dunn-Martin, Largie, and Catto to play big minutes, and consistently score. Expect Liberty to zone in on Tavian and make the rest of the Eagles team beat them.