ATLANTA, GA- Without setting foot on the court for the Eagles in a regular season game yet, FGCU newcomer Haanif Cheatham has already garnered the respect of the coaches in the ASUN conference as Wednesday he was announced as a member of the Preseason All-Conference Team.  As a team, the Eagles are picked to finish second behind Lipscomb in both the coaches and media polls.

Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Pembroke Pines HS/Marquette) was the lone Eagle selected to the coaches' Preseason All-Conference squad.  He comes to FGCU after three seasons at Marquette where he averaged just over 10 points per game in 70 career games with the Golden Eagles. As a freshman in 2015-16, Cheatham burst onto the scene, starting all 33 games for Marquette while being named to the All-Freshman team in the Big East.  In 2016-17 as a sophomore Cheatham started 25 more games for the Golden Eagles and for the second straight season was named Marquette's top defender at seasons end.  Last year, Cheatham started the first five games of the year for Marquette, averaging 8.2 points per game before transferring to FGCU where he was forced to sit out the rest of the season before regaining his eligibility for 2018-19. 

"Haanif was an excellent player at Marquette and I think his game and his leadership abilities have developed since he's gotten on campus here in Fort Myers" head coach Michael Fly said.  "He is a fantastic passer and pick and roll player and he has the ability to be an elite defender as well. I have told our guys, we don't worry about individual awards because if we win at a high level, that will take care of itself. That being said, I'm glad the coaches in the league think enough of our program and Haanif's abilities to tab him with pre-season expectations."

The Eagles were picked second behind Lipscomb in both the coaches and media polls.  In the coaches poll FGCU picked up 66 points and one first place vote, 13 points behind the Bisons and three points in front of newcomer Liberty who was picked third with 63 points.  In the media poll the Eagles finished with 374 points and two first place votes, comfortably in front of Liberty, but well behind the top pick Lipscomb.  FGCU is coming off of yet another 20 win campaign and an ASUN Championship from a year ago.  They return eight players to the mix in 2018-19 to go along with a number of high profile transfers in head coach Michael Fly's first season at the helm. 

"We have never worried about, or put any stock into pre-season rankings because they have no impact on wins and losses" Fly said.  "We are only worried about the process of getting better each day and trying to prepare for conference play and the ASUN tournament. Our guys know a standard has been set here and we try to live up to that every day both on and off the court. I think there are multiple teams that can win the league this year and we are excited about competing every day to see where our team sits when the dust settles."

2018-19 ASUN Men's Basketball Preseason Honors and Awards
Preseason Player of the Year: Garrison Mathews, Lipscomb
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Noah Horchler, North Florida
 
Preseason All-Conference Team

Pos	Name	School	Cl	Hometown	Major
*G	Garrison Mathews	Lipscomb	Sr.	Franklin, Tenn.	Criminal Justice
*F/C	Abdul Lewis	NJIT	Sr.	Newark, NJ	Science & Technology
G	Haanif Cheatham	FGCU	Sr.	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.	Communications
F	Jace Hogan	Jacksonville	Sr.	Melbourne, Fla.
G	JD Notae	Jacksonville	So.	Covington, Ga.	Business Management
F	Scottie James	Liberty	Jr.	Tarpon Springs, Fla.	Mechanical Engineering
F	Rob Marberrry	Lipscomb	Sr.	Nashville, Tenn.	Corporate Management
G	Ivan Gandia-Rosa	North Florida	Jr.	Caguas, Puerto Rico	Sport Management
F	Noah Horchler	North Florida	Jr.	Melbourne, Fla.	Criminal Justice
F	Abayomi Iyiola	Stetson	So.	Atlanta, Ga.	Accounting

* - Denotes unanimous selection to preseason team
 
Preseason Coaches' Poll

Pl	Team	Points (1st Place Votes)
1.	Lipscomb	79 (7)
2.	FGCU	66 (1)
3.	Liberty	63
4.	North Florida	61 (1)
5.	Jacksonville	40
6.	NJIT	38
7.	Kennesaw St.	26
8.	Stetson	20
9.	North Alabama	12

 
 
Preseason Media Poll

Pl	Team	Points (1st Place Votes)
1.	Lipscomb	438 (44)
2.	FGCU	374 (2)
3.	Liberty	338
4.	North Florida	304 (2)
5.	Jacksonville	254 (2)
6.	NJIT	203
7.	Kennesaw St.	147
8.	Stetson	121
9.	North Alabama	71

 
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.
 
SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
Fans can purchase or learn more about season tickets by contacting an Alico Arena Ticket Office representative over the phone at 239-590-7145 or by visiting the office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additional information is available on FGCUTickets.com.
 
As an added incentive, new or returning season-ticket holders who purchase seats will be entered into a contest for an FGCU jersey autographed by either the women's or men's team.
 
Season ticket seat locations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Like in the past, Eagles Club membership may be required for certain seats, with giving levels utilized for access to better locations.
 
YOUNG ALUMNI
FGCU recently announced a program in which young alumni – those who have graduated from FGCU within the past five years – can save between 30-70 percent off Priority Level 4 and 5 section season tickets, in addition to receiving discounted Eagles Club membership, which is needed for select premier seats inside Alico Arena. Those interested in taking advantage of this offer are asked to click here or visit FGCUAthletics.com/YoungAlumni to complete a form. Following that, an FGCU Ticket Office representative will be in contact to set up an account. For more information, call 239-590-7145, email tickets@fgcu.edu or visit the Alico Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
 
COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the 4th FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 155-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He has coached a dozen all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, and two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).
 
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.