NORMAL, ILL.- The FGCU Eagles kick off the Michael Fly era on Tuesday as they travel to Normal, Illinois to take on Illinois State in a rematch of last year's season opener.  It will be a highly anticipated matchup as both teams are picked to finish second in their respective conferences, the Eagles in the ASUN and the Redbirds in the Missouri Valley. 
  RETURNING TO THE MIX
The Eagles return six players that saw significant minutes in 2017-18.  Leading the group are seniors Dinero Mercurius (Orlando, Fla./Daytona State/UTRGV/USF/Faith Baptist Christian) and RaySean Scott (Compton, Calif./Compton HS) who are the top two returning scorers for FGCU from a season ago.  Mercurius averaged 7.9 points per game in 32 contests for the Green and Blue while Scott put up 6.6 a game.  Also back in action for the Eagles are Christian Carlyle (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny HS), Ricky Doyle (Cape Coral, Fla./Michigan/Bishop Verot HS), Brady Ernst (Clinton, Iowa/Indian Hills/Iowa State/Clinton HS) and Brian Thomas (Kennesaw, Ga/Kell HS).

NEW FACES
Four impact transfers and a pair of freshmen make up the bulk of the incoming talent for the Eagles this season.  FGCU gets the services of Troy Baxter (Tallahassee, Fla./UNLV/Oldsmar Christian HS) and Haanif Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Marquette/Pembroke Pines HS) after the two were forced to sit out last season to NCAA transfer rules, while also picking up Schadrac Casimir (Stamford, Conn./Iona/Trinity Catholic HS) and Decardo Day (Jackson, Miss./Iowa Western CC/Southern Utah/Callaway HS) who will both be immediately eligible to compete on opening night.  Cheatham scored over 700 points for the Golden Eagles in his two-plus seasons there while also being named Marquette's Defensive Player of the Year twice. Casimir comes to FGCU with over 1,000 points in tow and helped Iona to the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons in New Rochelle. The freshman class is comprised of two highly decorated preps in Zach Scott (Miami, Fla./Westminster Academy) and Caleb Catto (Cape Coral, Fla./Southwest Christian Academy) who were both All-State selections a season ago. 

WHAT'S GONE
The Eagles have some big holes to fill including five of their top six scorers from a season ago. FGCU lost 2017-18 ASUN Player of the Year Brandon Goodwin to graduation and he quickly signed a deal with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.  Goodwin is currently playing for the Grizzlies G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle and promptly put up 32 points in 32 minutes in his debut with the team Saturday.  Also missing from a season ago are Zach Johnson, Christian Terrell, and Antravious Simmons, who along with Goodwin, made up 66% of the Eagles high flying offense a season ago. 

EAGLES PICKED 2ND, CHEATHAM HONORED IN PRESEASON RELEASE
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

 
FLORIDA'S FINEST
With 23 wins and a postseason berth last season, the Eagles became the only Division I men's team in the state of Florida to have 20 wins and reach the postseason in six straight seasons.

TOUGH ROAD
FGCU will play one of the tougher mid-major non-conference schedules in 2018-19 which begins with the trip to Normal Tuesday to take on the Redbirds.  They follow that up with a quick turnaround trip back to the Midwest where they will play #10 Michigan State Sunday and will also square off with 20 win teams in Toledo and South Dakota State and then the Florida Gators, and the 2018 NCAA Cinderella UMBC Retrievers before Christmas. 

EARLY BIRDS
The November 6th tipoff marks the Eagles earliest season opener in program history.  The previous earliest start came on November 8, 2013 when FGCU traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Huskers in an ASUN Championship season.

THE GROWTH OF FGCU
After starting their D-I transition with five-straight losing seasons, the Eagles have now posted six-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 five 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: 26-8, 12-2 ASUN (1st)
2017-18: 23-12, 12-2 (ASUN (1st)
D-I Total: 194-168, 103-83 ASUN
Last 5 Years: 140-69, 70-22 ASUN
 
HOME OPENER THURSDAY
The Eagles will have a quick turnaround as after returning home from Normal on Wednesday afternoon, they will play Southeastern just about 24 hours later in Alico Arena in their 2018-19 home opener. There will be lots going on for the opener Thursday.
 
-Student Government is sponsoring Rally at the Roc before the game. The event is exclusively for FGCU students and includes free food, prizes and giveaways, and a over 21 beer garden, its hours are 4:30 to 6:45. Students are reminded to park in designated student game day parking areas.
 
-FGCU is collecting food donations at home events all during November. Donations benefit FGCU Campus and Harry Chapin Food Banks.  Donations can be dropped off at the marketing table in the Alico Arena lobby.
 
-Veterans Appreciation is all weekend in Alico: including Thursday's contest as well as Senior Night volleyball on 11/10 and WBB 11/12. Veterans receive free admission (with valid ID) and accompanying family members receive tickets for half price. As part of the celebration on 11/8 and 11/12, service pictures of our fans will be shared on Eagle Vision, service hymns will be played during media time outs as we honor veterans with a Certificate of Appreciation from FGCU Athletics as well as a free barbeque sandwich from Mission Barbeque.
 
-The Eagles ASUN regular season championship banner will be dropped pregame. Fans are recommended to be seated by 6:45 to not miss the action. The women's regular season championship and NCAA banners will drop on 11/12 prior to their game. Fans are recommended to be seated by 6:45 to not miss the action.
 
-First 100 fans that show the FGCU Wings Up fan app at the marketing table receive a FGCU custom "Holdin' Down the Fort" rally towel. More prizes and experiences are available all season by using the FGCU Wings Up app.
 
-Students may ride a fan bus to Rally @ The Roc and the  game on Thursday. Pick up is at South Village, West Lake and Garage 1. Pick up starts at 4:30 and runs until 7pm, and drop off will begin after the game.
 

-Students involved with the National Pan-Hellenic Council will be performing a dance routine at halftime.

 
HOME OPENER TICKET INFORMATION
-Get the best value in Southwest Florida with the FGCU Basketball Punch Pass. Three games for $15 or Seven games for $30. Men's games on 11/8, 12/2, and 12/19. Women's games on 11/12, 12/14, 12/17, 12/19, and 12/21.  Purchase online by CLICKING HERE
 
-Limited season tickets are still on sale, see all the action from the best possible seats. Call 239-590-7145 for more information.
 
THE ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS
Illinois State is expected to have a bounceback season in 2018-19 as the Missouri Valley coaches have picked them second in the preseason poll.
 
The Redbirds are coming off of an 18-15 campaign which saw them go 10-8 in MVC play before reaching the tournament final before falling to NCAA darlings Loyola-Chicago in the championship game. 
 
Illinois State is led by Milik Yarbrough and Phil Fayne who were both selected as First Team members on the MVC Preseason All-Conference squads.  Along with Yarbrough and Fayne, the Redbirds also feature another player that averaged 15 points per game last season in Kayshawn Evans.  The trio made up one of just four combos nationwide last year that each averaged 15 points per game.
 
The only matchup between the Eagles and Redbirds came last year, a game in which FGCU won 98-87 behind five different players that reached double figures. 
 
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.