AVE MARIA/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU (1-1) faces NAIA member Ave Maria University (3-1), in their home opener Sunday at 6 PM, from Alico Arena.

Stats (AMU):

Ave Maria averages 78.3 ppg, shoot 46.8% (116/248) from the field, and 34.8% (32/92) from beyond the arc. The Gyrenes average 42.8 team rebounds per game. Ave Maria dishes out 12.0 assists, 4.8 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game. The Gyrenes average 16.8 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 73.5 ppg, shoots 40.3% (48/119) from the field, 35.6% (21/59) from beyond the arc, and average 39.0 team rebounds per game. The Eagles dish out 15.5 assists, 5.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.0 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (AMU);

6’6 SR F Matt Gillis 15.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg

6’1 FR G Jonathan Effertz 14.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg

6’4 SR F Lucas Uzdavinis 7.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 21.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 10.5 ppg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg

Overview:

FGCU returns home after a 1-1 West Coast roadtrip that saw them defeat USC, and former Head Coach Andy Enfield, and lost a highly contested game with the University of San Diego. The backcourt of the Eagles is so deep, and leading that dynamic group is 6’3 JR G Chase Johnston (21.5 ppg). Zach Anderson has been playing his best basketball of his career this season, and is averaging 10.5 ppg, and 9.5 rpg.

Head Coach Jamon Copeland in his 7th season overall leading the Gyrenes. Offensively, Ave Maria is led by 6’6 SR F Matt Gillis, who is averaging 16.8 ppg. The Gyrenes play in the Sun Conference as a member of the NAIA. FGCU should dominate the Gyrenes, and this should be a game where the Eagles empty the bench, and rest their starters.