NASHVILLE – Two of the ASUN Conference's three remaining unbeaten teams in league play will clash in the Music City Saturday at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. local) when FGCU takes on Lipscomb in a 1st-place battle.
 
OPENING TIP ITEMS
Both teams are 2-0 in ASUN play and enter riding six-game winning streaks – tied for the longest active runs in the conference (FGCU's second six-game streak this year). FGCU and Lipscomb are joined by North Florida as the only undefeated teams in league action.
 
The battle beyond the arc will likely be a key determining factor in the outcome of the game as Lipscomb enters the contest having made the 4th-most 3-pointers in the nation with 198. FGCU comes into the game ranked 17th in the country in 3-point percentage defense, limiting foes to just 29.7 percent from beyond the arc.
 
In addition to its 3-point percentage defense, FGCU is in the top-25 nationally in each of the following categories: field goal percentage (3rd, 52.5), 3-point percentage (20th, 39.9), assists per game (22nd, 17.4) and rebound margin (25th, +7.2).
 
FGCU gets a majority of its offensive production in the low blocks as the Eagles rank 2nd in the nation in points in the paint at 43.1 per game, bested only by Kentucky (44.4). FGCU has secured three-straight games of 50+ paint points – something that occurred just twice in the Eagles' entire pre-Division I era (2002-07).
 
Helping fuel that low-post production is a re-emergence of Dunk City as FGCU has already thrown down 84 slams this year to surpass last season's total of 78. The Eagles are on pace to potentially surpass the 148 total slams from the original Dunk City Sweet Sixteen team in 2012-13.
 
TWEETABLES
1) Marc-Eddy Norelia returned to the FGCU lineup on Thursday after missing the previous six games for personal reasons and scored a team-high 21 points at Kennesaw State.
2) With the 20+ point performance, FGCU now has had six different players this year score at least 20 in a game; 10 players with at least 13 points in a contest.
3) The Eagles are 5-3 on the road this year already after going just 4-8 away from Alico Arena last season.
4) In its game at Kennesaw State Thursday, all 11 scholarship players for FGCU played multiple minutes in the 1st half.
5) Incredibly, all 15 of FGCU's players has a positive plus/minus ratio, and every scholarship player is at least +33 on the year.
 
OFFENSIVE ATTACKS
Lipscomb enters the contest as the highest-scoring offense in the ASUN at 84.6 points per game, while FGCU leads the league in points allowed, giving up only 70.2 per contest. FGCU is the 2nd-highest scoring team in the league at 81 per outing, and when scoring at least 80 points this year is 7-1 and an incredible 32-4 (.889) under 4th-year head coach Joe Dooley.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Lipscomb leads the all-time series, 10-7, but over the past 10 games FGCU holds a 6-4 edge. In 15 of the 17 meetings, FGCU has tallied more than 70 points, and in 11 of the 16 matchups both teams have recorded more than 70 points.
 
FGCU's .411 winning percentage against Lipscomb is the lowest among any current ASUN member and one of just two teams it has a losing record against (Jacksonville, 8-11; .421). The Eagles are just 2-6 all-time in Nashville, and in seven of the eight meetings the Bisons have scored at least 80 points. The lone exception was a 76-74 FGCU win on Feb. 14, 2015.
 
SCOUTING LIPSCOMB
^ Lipscomb has opened ASUN play with an 82-79 win at home over Kennesaw State, and followed it up with a 94-68 blowout of Stetson on Thursday night – a game in which the Bisons only shot 2-17 from 3-point range.
^ Garrison Mathews leads the Bisons offensively with 18.6 points per game. He paces a quartet of double-figure scorers as Josh Williams adds 12.8, Rob Marberry contributes 11.8 and Nathan Moran averages 10.2.
^ The Bisons rank 4th in the nation in total assists with 337, and are 5th in the country in free throws made with 345.
 
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
FGCU is currently 78 in the RPI – the only ASUN team in the top 200. The Eagles have already played four top-45 RPI opponents (Baylor (2), Florida (3), Michigan State (24) and UT Arlington (43)) and gone 1-3 against the group. FGCU also has a narrow road loss to RPI 67 La Salle (84-80), and a win and a loss against Georgia Southern (RPI 105).
 
FGCU was down just one point with under 3 minutes to play at #1-ranked Baylor before falling short, 81-72, lost to #23-ranked Florida despite holding a five-point lead with 15 minutes remaining and overcame a double-figure 2nd-half deficit to defeat UT Arlington – the only team to have beaten #21-ranked Saint Mary's – convincingly, 85-72. Additionally, FGCU controversially lost, 78-77, at Michigan State (more info later in this release).
 
ASUN RANKINGS
Several FGCU players rank among the top-10 performers in the ASUN:
 
Points Per Game
Brandon Goodwin: 6th, 16.9
 
Rebounds Per Game
Demetris Morant: 5th, 7.7
 
Assists Per Game
Brandon Goodwin: 3rd, 4.1
Zach Johnson: 10th, 3.2
 
Blocks Per Game
Demetris Morant: 1st, 1.7
 
Field Goal Percentage
Demetris Morant: 1st, .738
Rayjon Tucker: 4th, .560
Antravious Simmons: 5th, .549
Brandon Goodwin: 6th, .548
 
Free Throw Percentage
Rayjon Tucker: 9th, .778
Brandon Goodwin: 8th, .789
 
3-Point Percentage
Rayjon Tucker: 4th, .475
Christian Terrell: 6th, .434
Zach Johnson: 7th, .429
 
Assist/Turnover Ratio
Reggie Reid: 4th, 2.4
Christian Terrell: 5th, 2.3
Brandon Goodwin: 10th, 1.8
 
PLAYER QUICK HITS
Brandon Goodwin: Was named ASUN Newcomer of the Week for the third time this year on Monday after scoring 20 points, grabbing seven rebounds and securing seven assists at Stetson, in addition to making the game-winning free throws.
Demetris Morant: Is averaging a double-double over the past eight games with 13.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. He has secured four double-doubles in that time, and missed two more by a single rebound.
 
MARC-EDDY NORELIA UPDATE
Redshirt senior Norelia (Orlando, Fla./Tulane/Olympia HS) returned to the FGCU lineup on Thursday after missing the previous six games due to personal reasons. He came off the bench, scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in 25 minutes.
 
He did not travel with the team or partake in practice from Dec. 14-28, but rejoined practice on Dec. 29. He sat on the bench versus Florida Tech on Dec. 31, but did not dress; did dress at Stetson on Jan. 7. The forward is a Preseason All-ASUN Conference selection and team's leading returning scorer (17.1) and rebounder (9.3) from a season ago.
 
ASUN PRESEASON FAVORITES | Complete Poll And Teams
The Eagles received six of eight 1st-place votes in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll and garnered 62 points to finish 12 ahead of 2nd-place North Florida, which collected the other two 1st-place votes. NJIT was picked 3rd, just three points behind the Ospreys, while Lipscomb was slotted 4th. Stetson, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State and USC Upstate rounded out the poll in spots 5-8, respectively.
 
In addition to the team honor, Norelia was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Conference Team, redshirt sophomore Zach Johnson (Miami, Fla./Norland HS) was also a preseason team pick and redshirt senior Morant (Miami, Fla./UNLV/Bishop Gorman HS) was tabbed as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
YOUTHFUL EAGLES
FGCU is getting the job done again this year with a youthful group as 84 percent of its total points, 74 percent of its rebounds and 94 percent of its assists have come from non-seniors.
 
ON RECORD PACE
Through the first 18 games of the season, redshirt junior Goodwin (Norcross, Ga./UCF/Norcross HS) has totaled 304 points – 15 more than what Norelia had at the same juncture last year when he set the program's single-season scoring record with 597 points.
 
Norelia also set the single-season program record with 234 made field goals last year. Through 18 games this year, Goodwin has 109 made field goals – just four fewer than what Norelia had at the same juncture last season.
 
3-POINT IMPROVEMENT
Last year, just 20 percent of FGCU's total points came from 3-pointers – ranking 344th in the nation out of 351 D-I teams – as the Eagles shot 35.3 percent from long range. So far this season, 28.7 percent of FGCU's total points have come off 3-pointers.
 
The Eagles are nearing a single-season program record as they are averaging 7.4 made 3s per game (current record: 7.8 in 2011-12).
 
FGCU opened the year with four-straight performances of 40 percent or better from the 3-point line – the first time at any point of a season that has occurred in the program's non-conference history against D-I opponents.
 
#DEPTHCITY
Last year, FGCU had 10 different players reach double-figure points in a game (tied for the 3rd-most in the nation). Already this year, the Eagles have again had 10 players reach double-figure points (Reggie Reid: 9-point game). Below is a list of players who have scored 10 or more points in a game, how many times they have led (or tied) the team in scoring and their season high.
 
Brandon Goodwin (10 – includes 3 ties): 26
Zach Johnson (3 – includes 2 ties): 24
Rayjon Tucker: 23
Marc-Eddy Norelia (1): 21
Christian Terrell (3): 20
Demetris Morant (2): 20
Christian Carlyle: 19
Antravious Simmons (2 – includes 1 tie): 18
RaySean Scott Jr.: 14
Kevin Mickle: 13
 
BY THE NUMBERS
FGCU has the following records under the direction of Dooley:
 
Leading At The Half: 59-4 (.937)
Holding Opponent Below 40% FG: 44-4 (.916)
Grabbing More Rebounds: 65-12 (.844)
Scoring Between 70-79 Points: 49-11 (.817)
Scoring At Least 80 Points: 32-4 (.889)
 
RE-TWEETS
1) FGCU posted its largest comeback in the program's D-I era against UT Arlington on Nov. 16 as the Eagles erased a 16-point deficit (one shy of matching the all-time mark set in 2005-06).
2) The Eagles posted D-I program records in points (120), field goals made (47), field goal percentage (67.1), assists (29) and win margin (60) in its 120-60 victory over NAIA member Ave Maria on Nov. 29.
3) Morant pulled down the 4th-most rebounds in single-game D-I program history (most in a regulation game) with 17 against Georgia Southern on Dec. 13.
4) The 11 non-conference wins were the most in program history, and the three 100+ point games already marks the first time in single-season D-I history that has occurred.
5) FGCU had two separate 4+ game winning streaks in D-I non-conference history for the first time.
6) FGCU has already won three games by one point for the first time in a single season, and it has had a record four games decided by a single point already this year.
 
FLORIDA NATIONAL PERFORMANCE
During its game against Florida National on Dec. 22, FGCU set a single-game D-I program record with 30 assists (tied again a game later versus Florida Tech), and matched a record with 68 points in the paint set earlier this year versus Ave Maria. Additionally, FGCU's 107 points were the 3rd-most in the program's D-I era and 2nd-most in a regulation game. The Eagles also connected at a 66.7-percent clip (44-66) from the floor, the 2nd-best performance in a game in D-I program history.
 
MOST WINS IN FLORIDA
Since the start of the 2013-14 season, FGCU has the 3rd-most wins among D-I schools in the state of Florida (entering games on Jan. 11):
 
1) Florida: 86
2) Miami: 80
3) FGCU: 78
4) Florida State: 74
5) North Florida: 69
6) Jacksonville: 51
7) UCF: 49
8) FIU: 48
9) Stetson: 37
10) Bethune-Cookman: 36
      USF
12) FAU: 32
13) Florida A&M: 27
 
FGCU is the only D-I team in the state of Florida which has posted three-straight 20-win seasons (four-consecutive for the Eagles). As FGCU has moved among some of the preeminent teams in the state, it has done so with Florida talent. Of returning team members from last year's squad, Florida natives were responsible for 68 percent of FGCU's points and 70 percent of the Green and Blue's rebounds.
 
GAME-WINNERS THIS YEAR
FGCU has already hit three game-winning shots this year. The first came on Nov. 25 when Terrell (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence HS) hit a contested layup with 2.4 seconds left in overtime to give the Eagles a 68-67 win against Long Beach State.
 
The second came on Dec. 20 when Goodwin hit a floater in the paint with 12 seconds remaining to hand FGCU a 79-78 win at Louisiana Tech. LA Tech entered the contest with a dominant record of 71-2 at home since February of 2012 – with the .973 winning percentage over that time being the best in the nation.
 
The final one came on Jan. 7 when Goodwin hit three free throws with .6 of a second left to give the Eagles an 89-88 win at Stetson. FGCU trailed by eight points with just under 70 seconds remaining before mounting an incredible comeback.
 
LOCKING IN ON D
Since Dooley took over FGCU in 2013-14, FGCU has held 33 teams to 60 points or fewer. The Sweet Sixteen team in 2012-13 held 13 opponents to 60 points or fewer, but prior to that – in five seasons of D-I history – FGCU teams had only held opponents to 60 points or fewer 20 times.
 
The Eagles have led the ASUN in scoring defense in two of Dooley's three years with FGCU and finished 2nd in the other season. This year, the Eagles are again leading the ASUN, holding opponents to just 70.2 points per game.
 
RECAPPING MICHIGAN STATE
With 1.6 seconds remaining in a 78-77 game on Nov. 20 at Michigan State, Terrell (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence HS) threw an in-bounds pass from under the Spartans' basket to Simmons (Miami, Fla./VCU/South Miami HS) at the FGCU free throw line. However, despite the ball not being touched by any player, the game clock hit zero just as Simmons touched the ball.
 
The play was designed for him to take a dribble and attempt a game-winning layup, but when he heard the horn as soon as he caught the ball – after time had already expired – he threw the ball toward the basket and did not make the shot.
 
The head referee Bo Boroski, Big Ten officials, ASUN Conference officials and FGCU Athletics officials all issued statements regarding the incident, with the Big Ten acknowledging an on-court official started the clock too early; however, the final score of 78-77 would remain.
 
View all statements by clicking here.
 
ANOTHER DANCE?
^ FGCU posted a record 31-point win, 96-65, in the First Four last March over fellow 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
^ The Eagles will be looking for their 5th postseason appearance in only six years of D-I eligibility: 2013 NCAA, 2014 NIT, 2015 CIT, 2016 NCAA. FGCU is believed to be the only D-I team in NCAA history to make four postseason appearances in its first five years of eligibility.
 
POSTSEASON NUMBERS
With the win over FDU, FGCU secured its third NCAA Tournament victory in four years. The Eagles are the only current ASUN member which has won an NCAA Tournament game, and are responsible for three of the league's seven all-time NCAA Tournament victories, dating back to the ASUN's initial appearance in March Madness in 1981.
 
Additionally, FGCU is one of only two teams all-time with three wins in just five NCAA Tournament contests, with the other being Cleveland State. The only schools with more than three NCAA victories all-time have played at least nine games to get those four wins.
 
IN THE TOP 10 PERCENT
FGCU is one of just 31 teams in the nation to have won at least 20 games and played in the postseason each of the last four years, ranking the Eagles among the top-10 percent of clubs in the nation (351 D-I teams).
 
Furthermore, FGCU is one of just eight schools in the country to have its men's and women's teams win at least 20 games in four-straight seasons: Duke, Louisville, Kentucky, BYU, Baylor, UConn and Saint Mary's. With the men's team having 13 wins and the women's team boasting 12 victories, the Eagles are positioned to make that five-straight seasons.
 
BAHAMIAN SUMMER
FGCU spent Aug. 5-10 at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, playing three exhibition games and bonding as a team off the court. The Eagles won their three games by scores of 92-89, 113-58 and 87-69. In their first game, because of foul trouble and an injury-shortened bench, the Green and Blue finished the contest with just three players (watch).
 
THE GROWTH OF FGCU
After starting their D-I transition with five-straight losing seasons, the Eagles have now posted four-consecutive 20-win seasons. After not finishing higher than 6th place in the ASUN the first five years, FGCU has finished no worse than a tie for 2nd each of the past four seasons.
 
2007-08: 10-21, 6-10 ASUN (T-8th)
2008-09: 11-20, 7-13 ASUN (9th)
2009-10: 8-21, 5-15 ASUN (T-10th)
2010-11: 10-20, 7-13 ASUN (7th)
2011-12: 15-17, 8-10 ASUN (T-6th)
2012-13: 26-11, 13-5 ASUN (2nd)
2013-14: 22-13, 14-4 ASUN (T-1st)
2014-15: 22-11, 11-3 ASUN (2nd)
2015-16: 21-14, 8-6 ASUN (T-2nd)
2016-17: 13-5, 2-0 ASUN
D-I Total: 158-153, 81-79 ASUN
Last 4+ Years: 104-54, 48-18 ASUN
 
NEXT UP
After opening an ASUN schedule with three-consecutive road games for just the second time in program history, the Eagles will finally commence league action at home on Thursday, Jan. 19, when they welcome USC Upstate to Alico Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The Spartans are 11-8 overall and 1-1 in the ASUN heading into a home contest with Jacksonville (13-6, 1-1 ASUN) on Saturday.

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 in his 4th season with the Eagles in 2016-17 and has coached eight all-conference selections over his first three campaigns. 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 in 31-point record-setting fashion. 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 is in his 8th season overall as a head coach and has a record of 135-95 (.587), and in his 3+ years with FGCU is 78-43 (.645).
 
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.