FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's basketball team will begin a busy stretch that features four games in a nine-day span. The first of those contests will be a road tilt against Kennesaw State at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in Kennesaw, Georgia. The Eagles will then play host to Stetson at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in Alico Arena.

The home game with the Hatters will be a Pinkout and will also serve as the Coaches vs. Cancer contest for FGCU. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Alico Arena.
  COACHES vs. CANCER SET FOR MONDAY
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised over $100 million for the American Cancer Society. The FGCU coaching staff will wear sneakers against Stetson to help raise awareness for the cause.

SERIES HISTORY vs. KSU
FGCU leads the all-time series with the Owls 17-7. The 17 victories are tied for third-most for the Eagles against one opponent in school history. KSU nipped the Green and Blue 97-93 in Fort Myers last year, but before that FGCU had won 15 straight against Kennesaw State. The series began in 2008, and the two sides have met every year since then. FGCU is also 7-4 over Kennesaw State inside KSU Convocation Center.

SERIES HISTORY vs. STETSON
The series with the Hatters has also been contested every year since 2008. The Eagles are 19-7 against Stetson, and the 19 victories are the most against a single foe in school history. The Hatters picked up four wins in the first five games of the series, but since then FGCU has dominated to the tune of an 18-3 mark in the last 21 meetings. The Eagles also own a 13-1 mark in the last 14 meetings, and they are on a nine-game win streak inside Alico Arena.

LAST TIME OUT
FGCU fell 87-66 at North Florida in an ASUN Conference matchup on Jan. 12 in UNF Arena. FGCU was buoyed by a personal-best effort from Christian Carlyle. The junior erupted for a career-high 21 points, while also earning new top marks in made field goals (8) and 3-point baskets (3). Senior Schadrac Casimir also reached double figures, finishing with 10 points. True freshman Caleb Catto had a solid all-around performance that included five points, three rebounds and a season-best five steals. His five swipes were the most for an Eagle since Feb. 17 of last year (Brandon Goodwin).

The Eagles shot 36.7 percent (22-for-60) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from 3-point land and 62.5 percent (15-for-24) at the free-throw line. UNF shot 47.7 percent (31-for-65) overall, 48.4 percent (15-for-31) from deep and 62.5 percent (10-for-16) at the line.

SCOUTING THE OWLS
Kennesaw State enters Saturday's game on a five-game losing skid. The three wins this season for the program have come over Oglethorpe, Tennessee Tech and Southeastern. The Owls have lost all three conference games so far, falling by at least 20 points to NJIT, Jacksonville and Liberty. They also have narrow setbacks to Kansas State, Missouri, Gardner-Webb and Elon.

Tyler Hooker leads KSU in scoring at 18.9 points per game, and he is also third in rebounding at 4.5 rpg. Bryson Lockley (6.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is the top rebounder, and Kosta Jankovic (9.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is second in both scoring and rebounding. All three victories for KSU have come at home.

SCOUTING THE HATTERS
Stetson will play at North Alabama two days prior to facing FGCU. The Hatters are 4-14 this year and have lost all three ASUN tilts to Liberty, Lipscomb and North Florida. They own victories over Johnson, Western Illinois, UNC Asheville and Edward Waters.

Stetson has two players scoring in double figures, led by Christiaan Jones' 11.4 ppg. Jones is also second in rebounding at 4.3 rpg. Abayomi Iyiola (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is the team's leading rebounder and ranks second in scoring.

The Hatters enter their UNA contest with a 0-9 road record this season.

THE TREACHEROUS NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
FGCU tallied just a 5-10 record during the non-conference portion of its schedule, but part of that can be attributed to a brutal early-season slate. The Green and Blue entered ASUN action with the second-highest strength of schedule in the league, which was a mark that also ranked No. 73 in the nation. The top SOS in the league belonged to North Alabama at No. 23 in the nation. Lipscomb had the third-highest strength of schedule among ASUN schools at No. 79 nationally, while Kennesaw State (No. 85) and North Florida (No. 90) rounded out the top five.

All 15 teams FGCU faced during the non-conference slate are currently .500 or better overall or in conference play. Michigan State leads the Big Ten, South Dakota State leads the Summit League and Southeastern leads the Sun Conference. Illinois State, Toledo, UTSA, FAU, FIU, Colgate, UMBC, Florida, and Ole Miss all currently boast winning overall records. ISU, UTSA, FIU, ORU, and Ole Miss all have winning records in their respective league campaigns, as well.

TOUGH ROAD
FGCU played one of the toughest mid-major non-conference schedules in the country in 2018-19. Each of their first four Division I opponents (Illinois State, No. 10 Michigan State, South Dakota State, and Toledo) either won their regular season conference championship or played in their conference championship game last season. South Dakota State played in the NCAA Championship a year ago, while both Michigan State and Florida advanced to the second round of the tournament.
 
EAGLE LEADERS

Points Per Game		Rebounds Per Game		Assists Per Game
1. Schadrac Casimir	11.7	1. RaySean Scott Jr.	7.3	1. Decardo Day	3.6
2. RaySean Scott Jr.	8.7	2. Brady Ernst	4.6	2. Christian Carlyle	1.8
3. Christian Carlyle	8.7	3. Christian Carlyle	3.7	3. Schadrac Casimir	1.6
FG %		3pt %		FT %
1. Brady Ernst	.635	1. Schadrac Casimir	.474	1. Schadrac Casimir	.877
2. Brian Thomas	.625	2. Zach Scott	.468	2. Dinero Mercurius	.757
3. Schadrac Casimir	.459	3. Decardo Day	.333	3. Troy Baxter Jr.	.696

 
JOURNEY TO 1,000
Two current Eagles have reached the 1,000-point mark in seniors Schadrac Casimir (1,323) and Dinero Mercurius (1,012). Casimir scored 1,112 of those points in NCAA Tournament campaigns at Iona prior to transferring to FGCU.
 
Mercurius surpassed the mark with a five-point effort against Liberty on Jan. 5. He earned his 1,000 points between stops at USF, Daytona State and now at FGCU.
 
Haanif Cheatham will land just shy of the plateau. He suffered a season-ending injury and will end his career with 876 points.

FGCU SUCCESS IN THE ASUN
Since the infamous dawn of #DunkCity in 2013, the Eagles have dominated the ASUN Conference. FGCU has won six combined conference championships over the past six years, which includes three regular-season titles and three tournament crowns. The rest of the league combined accounts for the remaining six titles. North Florida leads the way with three, former member Mercer has two championships, and Lipscomb completes the list with one.

EAGLES PLAGUED BY THE INJURY BUG
With the recent news of the retirement of fifth-year projected starter Ricky Doyle, FGCU continues to be bit by the injury bug this season. Leading scorer Haanif Cheatham was forced to end his season after 10 games. The Green and Blue have also been without the services of RaySean Scott Jr., Brian Thomas, Troy Baxter Jr., and Brady Ernst at various times throughout the campaign. On top of the injuries suffered, the Eagles had already entered the season without their top five starters from last year. FGCU came into 2018-19 down Zach Johnson (35 starts last year), Brandon Goodwin (33), Christian Terrell (23), Antravious Simmons (20), and Michael Gilmore (20). Goodwin is the reigning ASUN Player of the Year and is FGCU's first NBA product, as he is currently finding success with the Denver Nuggets. Johnson was an All-ASUN First Team selection last year. He transferred to the University of Miami and is currently the second-leading scorer for the Hurricanes.

THE NEW RPI
The NCAA has developed a new ranking system to replace the RPI as the primary sorting tool for evaluating teams during the Division I men's basketball season. The new ranking system was approved in late July after months of consultation with the Division I Men's Basketball Committee, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, top basketball analytics experts and Google Cloud Professional Services. The NCAA Evaluation Tool, which is known as the NET, relies on game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency, and the quality of wins and losses.

The NET was built to create a ranking system that was as accurate as possible while also evaluating team performance fairly. To ensure fairness, certain types of data were omitted from the model. Of key importance, game date and order were omitted to give equal importance to both early and late-season games. In addition, a cap of 10 points was applied to the winning margin to prevent rankings from encouraging unsportsmanlike play, such as needlessly running up the score in a game where the outcome was certain.

The top end of the ASUN sees Lipscomb (No. 42) and Liberty (No. 44) currently ranked inside the top 50 in the nation in NET. The Eagles are currently ranked fifth in the league and No. 263 in the country.

MILESTONE WATCH
As a program, the Eagles are currently 199-181 as a Division I member. With one more victory, they will join the 200-win club. 

FLORIDA'S FINEST
With 23 wins and a trip to the NIT last season, the Eagles are the only Division I men's team in the state of Florida to have 20 wins and reach the postseason in the past six seasons.
 
The Eagles rank third in wins in the Sunshine State over the last seven years (since 2012-13, as of Jan. 15).
Florida- 160
Miami- 150
FGCU- 145
Florida State- 139
UCF- 114
North Florida- 112
FIU- 95
Jacksonville- 93
Bethune-Cookman- 80
FAU- 76
USF- 71
Florida A&M- 53
 
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 sixth place in the ASUN the first five years, FGCU has finished no worse than a tie for second each of the past six 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)
2018-19: 5-13, 0-3 (ASUN)
D-I Total: 199-181, 103-86 ASUN
Last 6+ Years (since 2012-13): 145-82, 70-25 ASUN
 
THE STRENGTH OF ALICO
FGCU boasts a 92-23 record (.800) at Alico Arena since the 2012-13 season. In ASUN games during that same stretch, the Eagles have been even more dominant, posting a 41-7 (.854) mark against league foes in the regular season since 2012-13.

EAGLES IN THE PROS
Below are some highlights of recent performances from ex-FGCU men's basketball players currently continuing their professional playing careers. (Information courtesy Sports I.T. Solutions / Eurobasket.com)

#1. Chase Fieler (graduated '14, plays pro in Belgium) led his Belgian team Oostende to a 2-point victory against the seventh-ranked Neptunas (4-6) 79-77 in the Basketball Champions League on Jan. 9. He recorded 13 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes. He also scored the game-winning layup against Petrol Olimpija on Jan. 16. Filou Oostende (6-5) is placed fifth in group D. There are only three games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This year, Fieler averages 9.6ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.6apg in 10 games he played so far.

#2. Demetris Morant (graduated '17, plays in Germany) was the major contributor in a 3-point Artland Dragons' victory against the 13th-ranked Uni Baskets (7-11) 68-65 in the German ProA (second division) Jan. 4. He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 13 rebounds. Morant also added 2 blocks and 3 steals; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his second season in pro basketball. Artland Dragons (9-9) is placed ninth in the ProA. It's Morant's first year with the team. Morant has relatively good stats this season 13.8ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.4bpg. Worth to mention Morant played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

#3. Bernard Thompson (graduated '15, currently in Hungary), who plays in the Hungarian A Division could not help ZTE KK (8-6) to beat KTE-Duna (7-7). Thompson scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 29 minutes. But ZTE KK lost 91-97 at home to the lower-ranked (#8) KTE-Duna. It's Thompson's first season with the team. He has good stats this year 13.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.6apg and 1.8spg in 14 games.

#4. Brandon Goodwin (graduated '18, plays pro in the NBA) was not able to help the Denver Nuggets in their game against the Houston Rockets (24-17) in the NBA. Goodwin recorded three points. The Denver Nuggets (28-12) were defeated 125-113 on the road by the Rockets. It's Goodwin's first season with the team. This year he averages 1.9ppg and 1.4apg. He is the first former FGCU player to compete in the NBA.

#5. Rendijs Feikners (left FGCU in '17, plays in Latvia) was not able to secure a victory for Latvijas Universitate (5-11) in their game against Parnu (8-9) in the Latvian LatEstBL. Feikners scored 9 points in 19 minutes. But Latvijas Universitate was badly defeated 82-64 on the opponent's court by the higher-ranked (#7) Parnu. This year Feikners averages 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg in 14 games.

#6. Sherwood Brown (graduated '13, currently in Romania) contributed to a 2-point Timisoara's victory against the eighth-ranked CS Dinamo Bucuresti 87-85 in the Romanian Liga Nationala on Jan. 7. He recorded 9 points. Brown has relatively good stats this season 11.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2spg.

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.
 
WE'VE GOT YOUR SEAT
Experience FGCU Basketball this season. The following ticket opportunities are on sale now:
Group Sales
Bring your group of 20 or more to an FGCU Men's or Women's Basketball game. All group tickets include an FGCU hat ($15 value), a $5 game day discount at The Boardwalk restaurant, in game group recognition and more. For more information on group outings, click HERE or call 239-590-7145.
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets are available for all remaining home games. Discounts are available for current or former Military and Youth ages 3-15. Purchase online HERE or call 239-590-7145.

COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the fourth 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 156-86 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.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 73 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 34 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the Spring, 2018 and had an ASUN Conference and State of Florida best five teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours – being recognized as one of two runner-ups for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.