GULF COAST SHOWCASE: NKU VS FGCU PREVIEW

Estero, FL- FGCU (2-2) faces Northern Kentucky University (2-1), Monday night at 7:30 PM, from Hertz Arena, in game one of the Gulf Coast Showcase.

Stats (NKU):

NKU averages 70.0 ppg, shoot 44.0% (77/175) from the field, and 29.9% (20/67) from beyond the arc. The Norse average 41.3 team rebounds per game. NKU dishes out 14.3 assists, 8.0 steals, and 5.3 blocks per game. The Norse average 13.0 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 75.5 ppg, shoot 41.8% (102/244) from the field, and 35.0% (43/123) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 39.0 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 15.0 assists, 7.0 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.8 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (NKU):

6’2 JR G Marques Warrick 18.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg

-All-Horizon League Second Team (2022)
Horizon League All-Tournament Team (2022)
Two-time Horizon League Player of the Week (Dec. 23, Feb. 28) 

-Earned All-Horizon League Second Team honors after averaging a team-high 16.8 points behind 35.3% perimeter shooting 

6’5 SO G Sam Vinson 13.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg

-Kyle Macy Freshman All-American Team selection, finalist for Kyle Macy Award for top freshman in college basketball

-Horizon League Freshman of the Year and member of the league’s All-Freshman Team; earned seven Horizon League Freshman of the Week honors, tying four others for third-all time in Horizon League annals 

6’4 5th G Trevon Faulkner 11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg

-Eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone and finished the season with a career-high 1,332 points

-Earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Tournament Team for the second straight season

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 13.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 13.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 11.5 ppg

Overview:

FGCU and NKU each were members of the ASUN Conference, before the Norse left the conference to head to the Horizon League in 2015 . Head Coach Darrin Horn has led the Norse since 2019. NKU has wins vs UC Clermont (89-49), and Cincinnati (64-51), on the season. Their lone loss on the season came at home vs Kent State (79-57). Marques Warrick is the leading scorer for the Norse, averaging 18.0 ppg.

FGCU heads into this game at 2-2, with wins over USC (74-61), and Ave Maria (105-61). Their setbacks were on the road vs San Diego (79-73), and, #17 Tennessee (81-50). Head Coach Pat Chambers is in his first season leading the Eagles. Zach Anderson and Chase Johnston both lead the team with 13.5 ppg. The Eagles looks to take advantage of playing three games in their backyard, against this talented field in the Gulf Coast Showcase.