JU/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU (10-3) opens up ASUN Conference play vs Jacksonville University (7-4), on New Year’s Eve, Saturday afternoon at 1 PM, from Alico Arena.

Stats (JU):

JU averages 66.0 ppg, shoot 45.9% (271/590) from the field, and 35.4% (81/229) from beyond the arc. The Dolphins average 36.3 team rebounds per game. JU dishes out 15.0 assists, 6.2 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. The Dolphins average 12.7 team turnovers per game.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 72.5 ppg, shoot 43.8% (326/744) from the field, and 35.0% (118/337) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 36.5 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 12.5 assists, 6.8 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.1 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (JU):

6’2 R-SR G Kevion Nolan 13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg

-Named to ASUN Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team this season

-First Team All-ASUN last season as a R-JR

-Named to ASUN ALL Tournament Team

-Averaged 13.9 ppg last season

6’3 R-SO G Gyasi Powell 8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg

-Averaged 4.5 ppg last season

6’3 GR G Jordan Davis 8.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg

-Averaged 8.9 ppg last season as a R-SR

-ASUN All-Tournament Team honors last season

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 13.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 12.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

Overview:

FGCU and JU face off, as the ASUN Conference portion of the schedule begins Saturday from Alico Arena. The Dolphins are led by Francis H. “Frank” Barker Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jordan Mincy, who is in his second season leading the JU. Coach Mincy has changed the culture at JU, and we expect the Dolphins to stay competitive in the years to come. Kevion Nolan leads the Dolphins offensively, averaging 13.8 ppg. JU’s wins this season came against Johnson, Voorhees, Campbell, Trinity Baptist, VCU, Charleston Southern, and Louisiana Monroe. Their setbacks have come against #7 Duke, UAB, UNCW, and Notre Dame. FGCU and JU split the two games they played last year, with JU wining the road game (69-66), courtesy of a last second buzzer beater from Kevion Nolan, and FGCU winning the home game (76-69).

FGCU is led offensively by Isaiah Thompson, who continues his strong season, averaging 13.6 ppg. The Eagles played a strong non-conference schedule, and opened the season with the upset of former Head Coach Andy Enfield and USC from the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Wins over St. Bonaventure, and the three wins in the Gulf Coast Showcase vs NKU, Drexel, and UMKC were key wins over mid-major teams for the Eagles. Zach Anderson continues to play the best basketball of his collegiate career, and is averaging 13.1 ppg. It should be a great game from Alico Arena, as the Dolphins and Eagles open up ASUN Conference play.