FGCU/STETSON PREVIEW

Deland, FL- FGCU (16-11, 6-8 ASUN) faces Stetson University (14-11, 9-5 ASUN), Wednesday night at 7 PM, from the Edmunds Center.

Stats (FGCU):

FGCU averages 71.0 ppg, shoots 43.6% (676/1551) from the field, and 35.5% (245/691) from beyond the arc. The Eagles average 35.4 team rebounds per game. FGCU dishes out 12.8 assists, 6.9 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game. The Eagles average 11.8 team turnovers per game.

Stats (SU):

Stetson averages 75.9 ppg, shoots 46.3% (689/1489) from the field, and 39.2% (258/689) from beyond the arc. The Hatters average 34.0 team rebounds per game. Stetson dishes out 14.4 assists, 5.5 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game. The Hatters average 10.6 team turnovers per game.

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’1 SR G Isaiah Thompson 14.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg

6’7 JR F Zach Anderson 12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg

6’3 JR G Chase Johnston 11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg

3 Players To Watch For (SU):

6’3 SO G Jalen Blackmon 14.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg

6’2 JR G Stephan Swenson 10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg

6’8 JR F Josh Smith 9.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg

Overview:

The Eagles and Hatters face off for the first time this season, Wednesday night in Deland. The Eagles have won back to back games, and are in search of their third straight road win. The Hatters had won three games in a row, before losing to UNF, Saturday afternoon, in Jacksonville. Stetson is led offensively by Jalen Blackmon, who is averaging 14.4 ppg. Head Coach Donnie Jones is in his fourth season leading the Hatters. Brett Comer is on Jones’ staff as an assistant coach, so it’ll be neat seeing Brett on the sideline for the Hatters.

FGCU has shown grit these past two games, getting back on track, and for seeding purposes, any wins they earn down the stretch will only help their cause in the ASUN Conference tournament. The Eagles are led offensively by Isaiah Thompson, who is averaging 14.6 ppg. The Eagles will need to contain Blackmon and Swenson at guard, to keep this game competitive. Chase Johnston will be facing Stetson for the first time since leaving the school, so there is extra intrigue for this matchup. Coach Chambers lineup changes have been paying off, as Dakota Rivers has taken over games for the Eagles, and Franco Miller Jr has had stretches of solid play lately. The Hatters also need these next two games to keep their seeding within the top four, as they are 9-5 in ASUN Conference play, three games out of first place, with Liberty, and Kennesaw State sitting at 12-2. FGCU heads to Deland to extend their rivalry with the Hatters, and it should be a great matchup Wednesday night vs the Hatters.