DUNK CITY, Fla. – Coming off an Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament win in 2015-16, the FGCU men's basketball team is gearing up for a repeat performance in 2016-17 and will begin that journey this weekend with a six-day trip to the Bahamas that will include three exhibition games.
 
The Eagles will depart campus on Friday, Aug. 5, and return Wednesday, Aug. 10. The team will be staying at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island and playing its games against local Caribbean professional teams at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau. The game schedule is as follows:
 
Saturday, Aug. 6: Providence Storm, 4 PM Eastern
Sunday, Aug. 7: Atlantis All Stars, 4 PM Eastern
Monday, Aug. 8: CTG Knights, 4 PM Eastern
 
Barring technical issues, fans will be able to watch each exhibition contest live via Facebook on the program's official page at Facebook.com/FGCUMBB. Additionally, fans can stay updated with photos, videos, information and more by following @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram and visiting FGCUAthletics.com.
 
This will be FGCU's first foreign tour since the summer of 2012 when it also visited the Bahamas and left with a 3-0 exhibition record before commencing a 2012-13 season which culminated in the Eagles becoming the only 15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
 
As part of the foreign tour – which is permissible by the NCAA for each institution every four years – FGCU is allotted 10 practices, in addition to other offseason conditioning and training the team has been doing most of the summer. Those practices began early last week and will conclude before the team heads to the Bahamas.
 
In addition to playing three exhibition contests, the team will be able to relax in a resort environment and has a catamaran tour scheduled for the final full day on the island.
 
"This is a great opportunity for not only our guys to bond off the court in a unique setting, but also to prepare for the upcoming season by playing three different teams," commented head coach Joe Dooley, who is entering his fourth year at the helm of the Green and Blue.
 
The Eagles are coming off their fourth-straight 20-win season and postseason appearance in 2015-16 with an ASUN Tournament title and a third NCAA Tournament victory in four years. FGCU returns nearly 90 percent of its total points, rebounds and assists from last year's team as Dooley and his staff have one of the most talented groups in program history.
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
COACH DOOLEY 
FGCU is led by head coach Joe Dooley, who is entering his 4th season with the Eagles in 2016-17 and has coached eight all-conference selections. Dooley guided FGCU to a 4th-straight 20-win season and 4th-consecutive postseason appearance in 2015-16 as the Eagles claimed the ASUN Tournament Championship and won their First Four NCAA Tournament game. He led FGCU to its first ASUN Regular-Season Championship and first trip to the NIT in 2014, and in 2015 he led the Eagles to a berth in the CIT. Prior to arriving in SWFL, Dooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant at Kansas under head coach Bill Self. During those 10 seasons, Kansas produced 300 wins, nine-straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship. Dooley has completed seven seasons overall as a head coach and has a record of 122-90 (.575), and in his three years with FGCU is 65-38 (.631).
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.