FGCU/UCA PREVIEW

Conway, AR- FGCU (11-3, 1-0 ASUN) heads on the road to face Central Arkansas (5-9, 0-1 ASUN), Monday night at 8:30 PM EST, from the Farris Center.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 72.5 ppg, shoots 43.9% (350/798) from the field, and 35.2% (129/366) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 36.3 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 12.8 assists, 6.6 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game. The Eagles average 11.8 team turnovers per game.

Stats (UCA):

Central Arkansas averages 73.4 ppg, shoots 41.3% (352/852) from the field, and 33.0% (117/355) from beyond the arc. The Sugar Bears average 37.6 team rebounds per game. Central Arkansas dishes out 12.4 assists, 5.9 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game. The Sugar Bears average 14.2 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 13.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 13.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 12.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (UCA):

6’3 SO G Cameron Hunter 16.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg

-Named ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year

-Earned first-team All-ASUN honors in UCA’s first season in the league

-Led the Sugar Bears in scoring at 14.1 points per game, averaged 4.9 rebounds (third on the team)

6’7 SR F Eddy Kayouloud 14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg

-Played in 31 games with 12 starts

-Averaged 11.8 points, and 4.9 rebounds, as a JR

-Was the #3 scorer on the season and #3 rebounder last season for the Sugar Bears

6’2 JR G Collin Cooper 10.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg

-Averaged 9.9 ppg, and 2.4 rpg last season as a SO

Overview:

FGCU and Central Arkansas face off for the first time since last season, where the Eagles defeated the Sugar Bears 95-93 in overtime from the Farris Center. UCA is on a five game losing streak, and opened up ASUN Conference play at Kennesaw State, where they lost to the Owls, 82-66. Cameron Hunter, is in the midst of another strong sophomore campaign, and is the leading scorer for UCA, averaging 16.2 ppg. Hunter was the ASUN Freshman of the Year last season. Eddy Kayouloud averages 14.9 ppg, and is a force in the post for the Sugar Bears. Wins on the year for UCA have come against Champion Christian, Hendrix College, Little Rock, Rider, and Idaho State. Their setbacks have come against Wichita State, Niagara, Northwestern State, Loyola College, Oral Roberts, Oklahoma, TCU, Little Rock, and Kennesaw State. Head Coach Anthony Boone, has led UCA since March 2020.

FGCU heads into this game after a thrilling comeback victory to open up ASUN Conference play at home vs Jacksonville. The Eagles were down 18 points in the 2nd half, and came back to defeat the Dolphins, 72-65. Isaiah Thompson continues to lead the Eagles in scoring, averaging 13.6 ppg. Zach Anderson is averaging 13.4 ppg, and has been a double-double machine this season, and this team is truly a better team when Zach is playing at the pace he has this year. We are hoping to see two consistent halves from the Eagles, as they play their first ASUN Conference road game, in Conway, Monday night.