MERCER/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU (7-3) faces Mercer University (5-5), Saturday night at 7 PM, from Alico Arena.

Stats (MU):

Mercer averages 78.0 ppg, shoots 49.5% (289/584) from the field, and 38.0% (73/192) from beyond the arc. The Bears average 35.1 team rebounds per game. Mercer dishes out 18.3 assists, 6.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. The Bears average 11.6 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 72.1 ppg, shoots 42.9% (249/580) from the field, and 35.0% (96/274) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 36.6 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 12.7 assists, 6.7 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.1 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (MU):

6’8 R-JR F Jalyn McCreary 14.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg

-Transferred from USF (2021-22), where he averaged 5.1 ppg last season

-Played at South Carolina as a freshman (2020-21)

6’0 SR G Kamar Robertson 12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg

-SoCon All-Freshman Team (Coaches and SoCon Sports Media Association (SCSMA) Poll)

-2019-20 SoCon Academic Honor Roll

-2020-21 SoCon Academic Honor Roll

-2020-21 Academic All-SoCon Team

6’7 GR G/F Luis Hertado Jr. 10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg

-Averaged 4.4 ppg last season for Bryant University as a Redshirt Junior

-2021-2022 NEC Conference Champions and made an NCAA Tournament appearance with Bryant

High School

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 13.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg

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

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 12.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg

Overview:

FGCU and Mercer face off Saturday, and the rivalry between these two teams that existed during the period of time Mercer was a member of the ASUN Conference lives on! Mercer is a member of the Southern Conference, and is led by Head Coach Greg Gary, who is in 4th season leading the Bears. 6’8 R-JR F Jalyn McCreary averages 14.1 ppg, leading Mercer in scoring. The Bears are 5-5 overall, with wins over Milligan, Winthrop, Robert Morris, Fairfield, and Middle Georgia State. Their setbacks came against ECU, Georgia State, Florida State, Towson, and Kennesaw State.

FGCU is led offensively by 6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson, who is averaging 13.0 ppg. The Eagles had a tough loss vs FAU, but this game vs Mercer gives FGCU the opportunity to bounce back quickly, and at home. We are hoping Andre Weir will be back in the lineup soon because FGCU could use his size in their frontcourt.