FORT MYERS, FLA.- FGCU fans will get their first chance to see the Eagles in action at home on Thursday as the Green and Blue hit the court at Alico Arena to take on the Southeastern Fire in a 7 PM tip.   
 
Matchup: Southeastern (20-11 in 17-18) @ FGCU (0-1)
Where: Fort Myers, Fla.| Alico Arena
When: Thursday, November 8th | 7 PM
Watch: ESPN3+ |  Live Stats: StatBroadcast |  Tickets: FGCUTix.com  |  Promotions: See Here
Series: FGCU Leads 2-0, last meeting 12/18/12 (FGCU won 86-60)
Coaches: Michael Fly (1st Season @ FGCU – 0-1; Same Overall) | R-Jay Barsh (7th Season @ SEU – 109-76; Same Overall)


LAST TIME OUT
The Eagles play Thursday off a quick turnaround after playing on the road at Illinois State on Tuesday.  FGCU built an early lead, but saw that slip midway through the first half and never recovered in a 74-66 defeat to the Redbirds. 

Schadrac Casimir (Stamford, Conn./Iona/Trinity Catholic HS) led the Eagles with 18 points in the loss, hitting on 6 of 7 from downtown.  Also reaching double figures for FGCU were seniors Dinero Mercurius (Orlando, Fla./Daytona State/UTRGV/USF/Faith Baptist Christian) and Haanif Cheatham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Marquette/Pembroke Pines HS) who put up 11 and 10 respectively. 

For the second straight season Christian Carlyle (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenney HS) tied a career high against the Redbirds pulling down 9 rebounds in the loss.  Carlyle finished third on the team behind Casimir and Cheatham with 28 minutes played on the night. 

HOME OPENER SUCCESS
The Eagles have dominated at home in Alico Arena over the past eight seasons and especially in their home openers where they are 8-0 in their first game in the friendly confines since 2009-10. 
 
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 Jr. (Tallahassee, Fla./UNLV/Oldsmar Christian HS) and 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 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 has promptly put up 59 points in his first two games with the team this week.  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 in 2017-18.   

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 began with the trip to Illinois State Tuesday.  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 marked 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
 
LOADS OF FUN
There will be lots going on in and around Alico Arena 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 an over 21 beer garden, its hours are 4:30 to 6:45. Students are reminded to park in designated student game day parking areas.

- One randomly selected Dirty Bird who signs in on the Wings Up App will have a chance to shoot a half-court shot to win the Coconut Point Ford Dunk City mustang.

-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.

 
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 SOUTHEASTERN FIRE
Although fans probably don't know much about the Fire, they should.  Southeastern is ranked 11th in the preseason NAIA Division II rankings after winning The Sun Conference Tournament last season and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament. 

It will be a new look roster for the Fire as well this season as they return just three players that saw significant time to the mix.  Leading that group is Josiah Barsh who is the top returning scorer for Southeastern after he put up 11.7 points per game a year ago while knocking down 44 three pointers. 

As most NAIA teams are, the Fire have a roster loaded with transfers as 10 of their 15 players began their collegiate careers somewhere other than Lakeland.   
 
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.