FGCU/AUSTIN PEAY PREVIEW

Clarksville, TN- FGCU (12-3, 2-0 ASUN) faces Austin Peay State University (6-9, 0-2 ASUN), Thursday night at 8 PM from the Winfield Dunn Center.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 73.3 ppg, shoots 43.8% (379/866) from the field, and 35.3% (141/399) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 36.8 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 13.4 assists, 6.9 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.1 team turnovers per game.

Stats (APSU):

Austin Peay averages 70.2 ppg, shoots 42.0% (372/886) from the field, and 34.6% (112/324) from beyond the arc. The Governors average 33.7 team rebounds per game. Austin Peay dishes out 13.9 assists, 6.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. The Governors average 12.1 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 14.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 12.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (APSU):

6’11 SO C Elijah Hutchins-Everett 14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg

-2021-22 OVC Freshman of the Year

-Second Team All-OVC (2021-22)

-OVC All-Newcomer Team (2021-22)

-NABC Second Team All-District (2021-22)

-Became the first freshman in school history to lead the Govs in scoring (12.3 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), and field goal percentage (51.0%) in a season.

6’7 SR F Cameron Copeland 9.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg

-Averaged 8.6 ppg last year as a JR

-Named OVC Newcomer of the Week (Feb 13)

6’5 R-SO F Sean Durugordon 13.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg

-Transferred to APSU from Missouri, where he played 12 games last season

Overview:

FGCU and Austin Peay State University face off for the first time since 2007, and this time, the Governors are now members of the ASUN Conference. Head Coach Nate James is in his second season leading Austin Peay. Prior to being named head coach, he spent 12 seasons at Duke University, as an assistant under the legend: Coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Governors wins have come against Milligan, USF, Albany, Tennessee State, Kentucky Christian, and Lindsey Wilson. Their setbacks have come against NCSU, Purdue, Bucknell, Howard, WKU, Murray State, #8 Tennessee, Queens, and UNF. Offensively, the Governors are led by 6’11 standout SO C Elijah Hutchins-Everett, who is averaging 14.3 ppg. Elijah had a record setting season last season for Austin Peay, where he became the first freshman in school history to lead the Govs in scoring (12.3 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), and field goal percentage (51.0%) in a season.

FGCU continues their strong season, winners of 10 of their last 11 games, and showing the fight needed so far, to compete in ASUN Conference play. The Eagles are led offensively by Isaiah Thompson, who is averaging 14.0 ppg. Zach Anderson earned ASUN Player of the Week honors for his play last week, and is averaging 12.7 ppg for the Eagles. FGCU has a great opportunity to start ASUN Conference play at 3-0, and winning their first two conference road games, would be the start they are looking for under new Head Coach Pat Chambers.