FGCU/LIBERTY PREVIEW

Lynchburg, VA- FGCU (14-8, 4-5 ASUN) faces Liberty University (17-5, 8-1 ASUN), Saturday at 7 PM, from Liberty Arena.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 70.8 ppg, shoot 43.0% (544/1264) from the field, and 34.5% (200/579) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 36.4 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 12.8 assists, 7.0 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game. The Eagles average 12.4 team turnovers per game.

Stats (LU):

Liberty averages 74.7 ppg, shoot 47.3% (586/1239) from the field, and 38.3% (250/652) from beyond the arc. The Flames average 33.9 team rebounds per game. Liberty dishes out 17.8 assists, 6.6 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game. The Flames average 10.7 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 13.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 11.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (LU):

5’9 R-SR G Darius McGhee 20.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg

Last season’s stats/accolades:

-Named 2021-22 ASUN Player of the Year for the second straight season.

-Became the only Liberty player to win a conference player of the year award more than once.

-Named to the NABC District 3 First Team.

-An ASUN First Team All-Conference selection and an ASUN All-Tournament selection.

-Lou Henson Player of the Year finalist.

-Named ASUN Player of the Week three times throughout the season.

-Averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

6’2 SO G Brody Peebles 10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg

Last season’s stats/accolades:

-Averaged 5.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, and 1.2 apg

-Played in all 33 games for the Flames

6’7 SR F Kyle Rode 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Last season’s stats/accolades:

-Earned ASUN Second Team All-Conference honors.

-Played in all 33 games and started in 32 contests.

-Averaged 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season.

-Ranked first on the team in assists per game and seventh in the ASUN.

Overview:

The Flames and Eagles square off for the final time in regular season play, before Liberty joins Conference USA. Liberty has been on a roll, winners of five straight games in ASUN Conference play. Darius McGhee leads the Flames offensively, averaging 20.9 ppg, and is on pace to win ASUN Conference Player of the Year for the third straight season. Head Coach Ritchie McKay leads the Flames, and has been with the program since 2015 (2nd stint with Liberty, previously coached Flames, 2007-08, and 2008-09 seasons). Liberty’s wins this season have come against Regent, NC Central, Bradley, Delaware State, UMES, Virginia University of Lynchburg, Bryant, Grambling State, Mid-Atlantic Christian, Bellarmine, Lipscomb, Jacksonville State, UNA, UCA, Jacksonville, UNF, and Stetson. Their setbacks have come against #19 Alabama, Southern Miss, Northwestern, Oral Roberts, and EKU.

FGCU is struggling to stay above .500 in ASUN Conference play, and has lost their past four road games in ASUN play. The Eagles offense came back to life vs Queens Thursday, but lost in the final seconds of the game. Isaiah Thompson leads the Eagles offensively, averaging 13.4 ppg. Liberty will not give FGCU the opportunities that Queens gave the Eagles offense to come back to life, so the defense is gonna have to clamp down vs Liberty. A win vs Liberty would once again have FGCU back to .500 in ASUN Conference play. FGCU defeated Liberty last season in Lynchburg, 82-72 in an overtime thriller from Liberty Arena. Liberty will want to get thar game back for sure, so expect a great game from both teams, Saturday night.