FIU/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL– FGCU (6-2) looks to win their fifth game in a row, as they face FIU (4-3) Sunday at 6 PM from Alico Arena.

Stats (FIU):

FIU averages 81.7 ppg, shoot 50.6% (220/435) from the field, and 31.3% (50/160) from beyond the arc. The Golden Panthers average 35.3 team rebounds per game. FIU dishes out 15.4 assists, 10.1 steals, and 4.1 blocks per game. The Golden Panthers average 15.6 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 74.3 ppg, shoot 43.0% (206/479) from the field, and 35.1% (79/225) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 37.9 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 13.1 assists, 7.0 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game. The Eagles average 11.3 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FIU):

6’4 SO G Denver Jones 19.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg

-Appeared in 31 games, including seven starts -Finished second on the team in scoring (12.5) in 26.8 mins per game

5’11 FR G Arturo Dean 13.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg

-Power 5 Conference Player of the Year in HS as a Senior (Putnam Science Academy)

5’11 JR G Javaunte Hawkins 9.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 14.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg

Overview:

FGCU looks to win their fifth game in a row, as they face a FIU team that is 4-3, with wins over Houston Christian, Florida National, Stony Brook, and Eastern Washington. Their losses came against NC State, Bryant University, and Eastern Michigan. The Golden Panthers are led by Head Coach Jeremy Ballard, who has led the program since 2018. 6’4 SO G Denver Jones leads FIU, averaging 19.7 ppg. FGCU lost 77-61, in the most recent matchup in 2021 from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Eagles are led offensively by Isaiah Thompson, who has been taking over games for FGCU, during this recent four game winning streak. Isaiah is averaging 14.3 ppg. Chase Johnston, in his off the bench role, is averaging 13.1 ppg, and has been huge for this team, with his range from beyond the arc, and leadership. The Eagles will be relying on big minutes from Dakota Rivers, and Sam Onu in the post, to defend against 7’1 JR C Seth Pinkney, and 6’9 F Mohamed Sanogo, with Andre Weir possibly out, after his injury in the 1st half vs Georgia Southern. FGCU has had a great start to the season, and we expect some great Basketball Sunday vs FIU.