FGCU/USC PREVIEW

Los Angeles, CA- FGCU (0-0) opens the 2022-2023 regular season on the road, as the Eagles face USC (0-0), Monday November 7th, at 9:30 PM EST. from the Galen Center.

Stats:

FGCU (21-22 season):

The Eagles averaged 77.7 ppg, shot 45.4% from the field (944/2081), and 35.0% (347/991) from beyond the arc. FGCU averaged 38.8 team rebounds per game. The Eagles dished out 15.7 assists, 6.7 steals, and 4.8 blocks per game. FGCU averaged 13.5 team turnovers per game.

USC (21-22 season):

The Trojans averaged 72.4 ppg, shot 45.5% from the field (910/2002), and 35.7% (230/644) from beyond the arc. USC averaged 40.1 team rebounds per game. The Trojans dished out 14.3 assists, had 5.0 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game. USC averaged 12.2 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’2 JR G Chase Johnston #5

-Averaged 15.2 ppg last season as a member of Stetson University

-Named to ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team

6’3 SR G Cyrus Largie #4

-Averaged 10.2 ppg last season for FGCU.

6’9 SO F Josiah Shackleford #24

-Averaged 18.1 ppg, and 9.5 rpg playing for Brunswick CC.

-NJCAA Region 10 Player of the Year, and All-Region 1st Tean Honoree.

3 Players To Watch For (USC):

6’3 SR G Boogie Ellis #5

-Averaged 12.5 ppg (2nd in scoring) in his first season with the Trojans after transferring to USC from Memphis.

-Named to PAC-12 All-Conference 1st Team

6’9 5th G Drew Peterson #13

-Averaged 12.4 ppg (3rd on team) last season for USC.

-Averaged 6.2 rpg (3rd on team) last season for USC.

-Named to PAC-12 All-Conference Team

7’1 FR C Vincent Iwuchukwu #3

-2022 graduate of Southern California Academy

-Ranked 16th overall by Rivals.com

-4th 5 star big man USC has brought into their program their last four recruiting classes.

-Began Senior season at Monteverde Academy

Overview:

Head Coach Andy Enfield and USC face the Eagles in the final game of the 3 game series between the Eagles and the Trojans. USC has taken the first two games of the series, winning 71-58 at the Galen Center on 12/19/2019, and this past season 78-61 from Alico Arena on 11/16/2021.

The Eagles have moved on from Michael Fly, and new Head Coach Pat Chambers has already made a major impact for this team, as it comes to recruitment. A new look Eagles team featuring 6’2 JR G Chase Johnston (9th leading scorer in ASUN Conference) who transferred from Stetson University, 6’5 SR G Dahmir Bishop (St Josephs), 6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson (Purdue), and 6’11 Sam Onu (Memphis). With an amazing class of guards, FGCU returns Cyrus Largie, Caleb Catto, and Austin Richie from last year’s program, which provides a strong nucleus of guards, both in the game, and on the bench.

Defending USC will be a major issue, with the post players they boast. The Trojans have 4 players that are 6’10 or taller including F Harrison Horney (6’10), F Joshua Morgan (6’11), F Iaroslav Niagu (7’0), and 5 star center Vincent Iwuchukwu (7’1). 6’9 5TH G Drew Peterson and 6’3 SR G Boogie Ellis are the two guards that run the show for USC. Peterson (12.4 ppg) brings a unique approach at his height of 6’9, his ability to distribute the ball, score, and also rebound.

Head Coach Andy Enfield has been with the USC program since 2013, and the Trojans have won 160 games in the past seven seasons he has been head coach. Enfield also has brought in seven consecutive top 30 draft classes which is an impressive stat in itself. This year’s recruiting class was ranked 7th overall. The Pat Chambers era begins Monday night in Los Angeles, and the Eagles are upset minded as they head into the Galen Center.