#3E FGCU/#6W UNA ASUN FIRST ROUND

Fort Myers, FL- #3E FGCU (20-10, 10-6 ASUN) faces #6W UNA (9-20, 2-14 ASUN), in the 1st Round of the ASUN Tournament.

Stats (UNA):

UNA averages 69.3 ppg, shoots 39.4% (724/1838) from the field, and 31.5% (240/763) from beyond the arc. The Lions grab 36.3 team rebounds per game. UNA dishes out 10.3 assists, 6.9 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game. The Lions average 12.0 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 77.6 ppg, shoots 44.7% (827/1849) from the field, and 34.9% (307/879) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 39.2 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 16.1 assists, 6.8 steals, and 5.1 blocks per game. The Eagles average 13.5 team turnovers per game.

Players To Watch For (UNA):

6’0 FR G Daniel Ortiz 13.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg

5’9 SR G CJ Brim 10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg

6’1 JR G Jamari Blackmon 9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg

Players To Watch For (FGCU):

5’8 GR G Tavian Dunn-Martin 20.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg

6’11 6th C Kevin Samuel 11.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg

6’3 JR G Cyrus Largie 10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg

Overview:

#3E FGCU took out #1E Liberty University on the road, and #2E Jacksonville University to close out their season, and are coming into this matchup with #6W UNA playing great basketball. The Eagles dominated UNA on 2/29, beating the Lions 92-60. This season has been a complete disaster for Head Coach Tony Pujol. A bright spot would be Freshman Guard Daniel Ortiz, the leading scorer for the Lions who averages 13.9 ppg. The Lions have wins over KSU and EKU, in ASUN play, and are losers of their last eight games. UNA beat FGCU last season in the ASUN Tournament semifinals, 96-81, so the Eagles can’t take the Lions lightly. UNA eventually lost to Liberty University, in the ASUN championship game, though they were able to push the Flames to the brink, only losing 79-75.

Tavian Dunn-Martin, leads the Eagles offensively, averaging 20.8 ppg. TDM has done it all this season for the Eagles, and we believe he is the most complete player the Eagles have had at guard since Brandon Goodwin. Darius McGhee will most likely win his 2nd ASUN Player of the Year award, though, Tavian does deserve a shot at the award, the way he has played all season. Both players are ASUN 1st Team quality, and we’re excited to see the ASUN regular season awards. Look for the Eagles to roll in this game, and get ready for a tough test on the road vs Bellarmine University.

Prediction:

FGCU 84 UNA 69