FGCU/EKU PREVIEW

Richmond, KY- FGCU (13-4, 3-1 ASUN) heads on the road to face Eastern Kentucky (10-7, 3-1 ASUN), Thursday night at 7 PM, from McBrayer Arena.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 72.9 ppg, shoot 44.3% (435/983) from the field, and 35.8% (157/439) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 37.3 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes 13.6 assists, 7.1 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.6 team turnovers per game.

Stats (EKU):

EKU averages 79.7 ppg, shoot 43.7% (500/1145) from the field, and 37.9% (173/456) from beyond the arc. The Colonels average 40.0 team rebounds per game. EKU dishes 15.7 assists, 9.8 steals, and 4.8 blocks per game. The Colonels average 13.6 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

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

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 11.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (EKU):

6’6 JR F Devontae Blanton 16.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Accolades:

-Played in 29 games and started 19 times

-Averaged 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.93 assists and 1.2 steals per game

-6th in the ASUN Conference in rebounding and 13th in assists

6’7 JR F Michael Moreno 12.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg

Accolades:

Averaged 11.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.32 steals per game

-shot 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range

-Ranked fourth in the ASUN Conference in offensive rebounds (2.13/game), 10th in steals, 12th in rebounding, 13th in three-pointers per game (2.16) and 17th in scoring

-Voted as the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year by fans

-ASUN Conference Honor Roll member

6’1 SR G Cooper Robb 7.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg

Accolades:

-Averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.65 steals per game

-2nd in the ASUN Conference in steals last season

-Voted as the ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by fans

-ASUN Conference Honor Roll member

Overview:

FGCU and EKU face off for the second time in their history, as the Eagles defeated EKU 77-73 last season, in Fort Myers. EKU is coming off a thrilling 62-59 victory at home vs Liberty University. The Colonels are led offensively by Devontae Blanton, who is averaging 16.2 ppg. Head Coach A.W. Hamilton is in his fifth season leading the Colonels. EKU’s wins this season have come against Miami (Ohio) Middletown, Georgia State, UNC Asheville, Brescia, Bryce College, Radford. UNC Greensboro, Queens, UCA, and Liberty. Their setbacks have come against Western Kentucky, Cincinnati, Texas A&M Commerce, James Madison, #7 Tennessee, NKU. and Kennesaw State.

FGCU looks to build off their beat down of UNF this past weekend in Fort Myers. Hot shooting was key to the victory, and if FGCU can continue to shoot the ball at the clip they shot against UNF, they will be successful in this conference. The Eagles are led offensively by Isaiah Thompson, who is averaging 13.6 ppg. Head Coach Pat Chambers has this team motivated after a tough loss to Austin Peay, by the way they came out Saturday night, and FGCU needs to play two consistent halves in Richmond, to beat an EKU team that is on a high, after upsetting Liberty.