Jacksonville, FL- FGCU (18-9, 8-5 ASUN) looks to win their sixth game in a row, as they face a streaking UNF (9-18, 5-8 ASUN) team, Saturday at 5 PM from UNF Arena.
Stats (FGCU):
The Eagles average 78.0 ppg, shoot 45.2% from the field, and 35.4% from beyond the arc. FGCU averages 38.9 team rebounds per game. The Eagles dish out 16.4 assists, 7.0 steals, and 4.9 blocks per game. FGCU averages 13.8 team turnovers per game.
Stats (UNF):
The Ospreys average 69.5 ppg, shoot 42.1% from the field, and 35.3% from beyond the arc. UNF grabs 33.6 team rebounds per game. The Ospreys dish out 13.1 assists, 5.6 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game. UNF averages 14.8 team turnovers per game.
Players To Watch For (FGCU):
5’8 GR G Tavian Dunn-Martin 20.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg
6’11 6th C Kevin Samuel 11.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg
6’3 JR G Cyrus Largie 10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Players To Watch For (UNF):
6’1 R-SO G Jose Placer 14.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
6’7 JR F Carter Hendricksen 12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg
6’3 SO G Jarius Hicklen 11.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Overview:
FGCU is playing their best basketball this season, towards the end of the ASUN Conference regular season. The Eagles face a UNF team they defeated 74-67 on January 5th from Alico Arena, though the Ospreys’ are playing their best basketball as of late. UNF has been playing without top two scorers: Jose Placer and Carter Hendricksen, and are getting the best out of players like Jarius Hicklen, and others. UNF has won 4 of their last 5 ASUN games, with the last game being vs Liberty University, the top team in both the Eagles and Ospreys’ division. The MO of Head Coach Matthew Driscoll continues to be to live and die from beyond the arc, and that will never change. A key to this game will be the availability of both Placer and Hendricksen. If both players are still held out of the game, FGCU will have to zone in on stopping Jarius Hicklen.
FGCU is led offensively by Tavian Dunn-Martin (20.4 ppg), who has carried this team during their five game winning streak. Kevin Samuel (11.7 ppg) is the dominant big man the Eagles always have desired, and he has been an unstoppable force this season for the Eagles. FGCU still has a chance to earn the bye for the ASUN Tournament, and need Jacksonville University to lose both home games vs KSU, and UNF, before the final matchup of the season between the Dolphins and Eagles at Alico Arena, February 26th.
Prediction:
FGCU 74 UNF 71
Eagles Nest Cast 
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