GULF COAST SHOWCASE CHAMPIONSHIP: KANSAS CITY/FGCU PREVIEW

Estero, FL- FGCU (4-2) faces Kansas City (3-4), in the Gulf Coast Showcase Championship game, Wednesday night at 7:30 PM from Hertz Arena.

Stats (KC):

The Roos average 68.4 ppg, shoot 41.6% (168/404) from the field, and 29.1% (43/148) from beyond the arc. Kansas City averages 39.3 team rebounds per game. The Roos dish out 11.6 assists, 7.1 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game. Kansas City averages 18.0 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

The Eagles average 75.2 ppg, shoot 42.4% (154/363) from the field, and 35.9% (60/167) from beyond the arc. FGCU averages 38.3 team rebounds per game. The Eagles dish out 11.6 assists, 7.0 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. FGCU averages 12.8 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (KC):

6’4 SR G Shermarri Allen 16.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg

-Summit League Academic Honor Roll

-Appeared in 30 games, starting in seven last season

-Averaged 23.5 minutes per game, sixth-best on team

6’5 GR G RayQuawndis Mitchell 14.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg

-Transfer from UIC

-Averaged 8.3 ppg as a Junior (20-21)

6’7 SO F Allen David Mukeba Jr. 9.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg

-(Colby CC): Honorable Mention All-Region 6

-All-Defensive Team

-Played and started in 31 games

-Averaged 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 14.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 13.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg

Overview:

The Eagles and Roos face off in the final game and championship game of the Gulf Coast Showcase, Wednesday night from Hertz Arena. Kansas City has wins over Toledo (83-71), and Indiana State (63-61) leading into this championship game. FGCU has wins over Northern Kentucky (82-61), and Drexel (67-59).

Head Coach Marvin Menzies is in his first season leading the Roos. He has 30+ years of college coaching experience. 6’4 SR G Shermarri Allen leads the Roos, averaging 16.7 ppg. Kansas City has played a non-conference schedule that included games on the road vs LSU, Kansas State, and #23 Illinois.

FGCU is led offensively by Chase Johnston, who averages 14.3 ppg, and has picked off exactly where he left off, after transferring to FGCU from Stetson University. The combination of Johnston, and Isaiah Thompson (13.8 ppg), has been one of the best tandems at guard the Eagles have had in years. Head Coach Pat Chambers is in his first season leading the Eagles, and the complete buy-in approach from this team has been evidence through six non-conference games.

Allen David Mukeba Jr, and Jeff Ngandu are the bigs for Kansas City, and we expect Andre Weir to defend Mukeba Jr., and Zach Anderson to defend Ngandu. Should be a great day of basketball from Hertz Arena in the Gulf Coast Showcase Championship game.