FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's basketball team is set for a home clash against Lipscomb at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Alico Arena. The game is a Blueout, will serve as Pet Appreciation Night and is being sponsored by Culver's @ Gulf Coast Town Center.

The Eagles (11-17, 6-7 ASUN) are soaring at home as of late, having won each of their last five tilts in the Nest. One of those triumphs includes a most-recent victory over NJIT, the current third-place team in the conference.

The Bisons (21-5, 12-1 ASUN) enter Wednesday's game sitting atop the league table alongside Liberty. FGCU has already clinched a spot in the ASUN Championship tournament and is fighting for a top-4 position that would ensure a home game in the quarterfinals of the postseason event.
  SERIES HISTORY
The Bisons lead the all-time series by a 14-9 margin, which includes upsetting FGCU in the ASUN Championship game last season. Lipscomb captured six of the first seven meetings, but the Eagles have played to an 8-8 draw in the last 16 matchups since 2012. The Bisons defeated FGCU 89-81 earlier this season in Nashville, Tennessee.

WHERE THEY STAND
The 2019 ASUN Conference Men's Basketball Championship will be conducted March 4-10. The top eight teams qualify for postseason play, and each round will be hosted by the higher seed. FGCU is currently 6-7 in league action and tied for fourth with North Florida. The Eagles are a half-game behind NJIT (6-6) and a half-game ahead of Jacksonville (5-7) and North Alabama (5-7). There is currently just one game separating third through seventh in the ASUN standings.

If the season were to end today, UNF would earn the No. 4 seed and would host No. 5 FGCU in the quarterfinals of the tournament on March 4. Lipscomb would be the No. 1 seed and would play host to No. 8 Stetson. No. 2 Liberty would welcome No. 7 Jacksonville, and No. 3 NJIT would host No. 6 North Alabama. Kennesaw State is currently on the outside looking in for a playoff berth.

The Eagles have won the conference tournament three times in the last six years, and they also hosted the championship game last season.

LAST TIME OUT
FGCU fell at Stetson 67-55 Saturday afternoon at J. Ollie Edmunds Center. Despite the setback, the Eagles officially qualified for the ASUN Championship tournament and maintained their position in fourth place in the current standings.

Senior Dinero Mercurius led FGCU with 13 points. Classmate Schadrac Casimir and junior Christian Carlyle both contributed 12 points. Carlyle reached double figures for the first time since the previous meeting against Stetson on Jan. 21.
 
The Eagles shot 38.8 percent (19-for-48) overall, 33.3 percent (8-for-24) from beyond the 3-point arc and 75 percent (9-for-12) at the free-throw line. Stetson converted at a 42.4 percent clip (25-for-59) overall, 28 percent (7-for-25) from deep and 76.9 percent (10-for-13) at the line.

SCOUTING THE BISONS
Lipscomb enters play tied for first in the league. The reigning tournament champs and preseason favorites have won all but one of their ASUN games so far this season. The Bisons have defeated every team in the league at least once, and their only setback was to Liberty Feb. 13. Lipscomb also earned key non-conference triumphs over SMU, TCU, Navy and Middle Tennessee State.

Lipscomb is outscoring foes 85.0-68.8, and the team is led by preseason player of the year Garrison Mathews. The senior is tops in the league in scoring (19.5 ppg) and second on the team in rebounding (5.1 rpg). Senior Rob Marberry (14.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) is second in scoring and third in rebounding, and senior Eli Pepper (8.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg) is the top rebounder.

Lipscomb is 10-3 on the road this year.

Lipscomb Leaders
PPG: Garrison Mathews (19.5), Rob Marberry (14.9), Kenny Cooper (9.7)
RPG: Eli Pepper (7.7), Garrison Mathews (5.1), Ahsan Asadullah (5.0)
APG: Kenny Cooper (3.9), Michael Buckland (2.1), Eli Pepper (1.9)
SPG: Kenny Cooper (1.9), Michael Buckland (1.0), Garrison Mathews (1.0)
BPG: Ahsan Asadullah (0.6), Eli Pepper (0.6), Rob Marberry (0.6)

ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP TICKET RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
The FGCU ticket office is still accepting reservations from season ticket holders for potential ASUN Championship games hosted in Alico Arena. If you're a season ticket holder and interested in reserving your current seats, upgrading your seat location or requesting additional seats, fill out and return the form HERE. Every effort will be made to place your tournament tickets in the same location as your season tickets. Men's home quarterfinal tickets will go on sale to the general public as soon as a top four host seed is clinched.
 
For more information, contact the FGCU Ticket office by phone at 239-590-7145 or by email at tickets@fgcu.edu.

WEDNESDAY PROMOTIONS 
1. Feed the FGCU Community and our pets by donating non-perishable food items. Donations will go to the FGCU Food bank and the Lee County Humane Society.
2. It's Pet Appreciation Night! Pets in FGCU fan gear will be featured on Eagle Vision during the game. Email pictures by noon Wednesday to spellegrine@fgcu.edu.
3. The FGCU Game Challenge ups its game. Doug Kollmer, an alumni board member, is offering up to eight $1000 winners for half court shots. Shots will be taken by two alumni, two general fans, two students and two members of Greek organizations. Follow on social at #FGCUGameChallenge.
4. Dirty Bird Alums are invited to wear their vintage FGCU gear and stand with the Dirty Birds in the student section with the purchase of a priority 5 ticket.

ASUN Honors
FGCU has brought home seven ASUN weekly awards this year.

Nov. 19 - Haanif Cheatham (Player and Newcomer of the Week)
Dec. 17 - Schadrac Casimir (Newcomer of the Week)
Dec. 23 - Zach Scott (Newcomer of the Week)
Jan. 21 - Schadrac Casimir (Player and Newcomer of the Week)
Jan. 28 - Schadrac Casimir (Newcomer of the Week)

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.

Of the 15 teams FGCU faced during the non-conference slate, 14 are currently .500 or better overall or in conference play. Michigan State leads the Big Ten, South Dakota State leads the Summit League and Toledo is leading its division in the MAC. Illinois State, UTSA, FAU, FIU, Colgate, UMBC, Florida, and Ole Miss all currently boast winning overall records. ISU, UTSA, Colgate, UMBC, and Ole Miss all have winning records in their respective league campaigns, as well.

Of the 13 NCAA Division I non-conference opponents FGCU faced, five are currently ranked in the top 100 of the NET rankings. Michigan State is No. 7, Ole Miss is ranked No. 30, Florida is No. 33, Toledo is No. 57, and South Dakota State is No. 99.

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 tournament a year ago, while both Michigan State and Florida advanced to the second round of the national event.
 
EAGLE LEADERS

Points Per Game		Rebounds Per Game		Assists Per Game
1. Schadrac Casimir	14.7	1. RaySean Scott Jr.	6.0	1. Christian Carlyle	2.1
2. Dinero Mercurius	9.4	2. Brian Thomas	4.3	2. Schadrac Casimir	2.1
3. Zach Scott	8.3	3. Brady Ernst	3.9	3. Caleb Catto	1.6
FG %		3pt %		FT %
1. Brian Thomas	.714	1. Schadrac Casimir	.475	1. Schadrac Casimir	.873
2. Brady Ernst	.623	2. Zach Scott	.426	2. Dinero Mercurius	.708
3. Schadrac Casimir	.482	3. Dinero Mercurius	.361	3. Zach Scott	.690

 
JOURNEY TO 1,000
Two current Eagles have reached the 1,000-point mark in seniors Schadrac Casimir (1,522) and Dinero Mercurius (1,119). 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.

PHENOMENAL FRESHMAN
Newcomer Zach Scott has so far enjoyed one of the most successful rookie campaigns in all of FGCU history. The Miami native has started 17 games for the Green and Blue, which is tied for fourth in program history for most starts by a true freshman. He is the first true freshman since before the #DunkCity era to start at least 17 games, and he sits three shy of becoming the third player in school history to reach 20. Scott is averaging 8.4 points per game, which also currently sees him ranked fifth in program history for highest scoring average by a true freshman.
 

Rank	Name	Freshman Year	Starts
1.	Brett Comer	2011-12	29
2.	Bernard Thompson	2011-12	28
3.	Christopher Varidel	2010-11	20
4.	Zach Scott	2018-19	18

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.

GAMES PLAYED
Below is a list of all current Eagles and how many games they have played/started over their respective FGCU careers.

Name	Career Games Played (Started)	2018-19 Games Played (Started)
Christian Carlyle	75 (29)	28 (24)
RaySean Scott Jr.	69 (22)	18 (9)
Dinero Mercurius	59 (28)	27 (12)
Brady Ernst	58 (16)	24 (14)
Ricky Doyle	38 (16)	12 (3)
Brian Thomas	37 (10)	19 (10)
Schadrac Casimir	28 (28)	same
Zach Scott	28 (18)	same
Caleb Catto	28 (0)	same
Dolan Mahoney	27 (0)	4 (0)
Troy Baxter Jr.	26 (12)	same
Haanif Cheatham	10 (10)	same
Ryan Rocuant	3 (0)	same
Kyle Hoffman	2 (0)	same

AN ATMOSPHERE UNLIKE ANY OTHER
Since 2013-14, no other program in the ASUN has come close to matching the home atmosphere created by the Eagle faithful and the Dirty Birds. FGCU has led the conference by comfortable margins in both total attendance and average attendance over the last five years. The only reason the Green and Blue aren't leading both categories this season is because league newcomer Liberty has played three more games at home. Below is a list of the top two ASUN programs in both total and average attendance over the last six seasons.
 

2018-19
Total Attendance
1.	Liberty	42,091
2.	FGCU	36,522
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU	3,320
2.	Liberty	3,007
2017-18
Total Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	Lipscomb
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
2016-17
Total Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
2015-16
Total Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
2014-15
Total Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	North Florida
2013-14
Total Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	East Tennessee State
Average Attendance
1.	FGCU
2.	East Tennessee State

EAGLES PLAGUED BY THE INJURY BUG
FGCU continues to be bit by the injury bug this season. Leading scorer Haanif Cheatham was forced to end his season after 10 games. Ricky Doyle also suffered a career-ending injury midway through the year. The Green and Blue have also been without the services of RaySean Scott Jr. (10), Brian Thomas (9), Brady Ernst (4), Troy Baxter Jr. (2), and Dinero Mercurius (1) 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 at No. 37 and Liberty at No. 54 in the national NET rankings. The Eagles are currently ranked fourth in the league and No. 214 in the country.

MILESTONE WATCH
The Eagles are currently 205-185 as a Division I member, and they recorded win No. 200 on the road at Kennesaw State Jan. 19.

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 Feb. 7).
Florida- 164
Miami- 152
FGCU- 150
Florida State- 144
UCF- 117
North Florida- 113
FIU- 98
Jacksonville- 96
Bethune-Cookman- 84
FAU- 78
USF- 75
Florida A&M- 57

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) - NCAA
2013-14: 22-13, 14-4 ASUN (T-1st) - NIT
2014-15: 22-11, 11-3 ASUN (2nd) - CIT
2015-16: 21-14, 8-6 ASUN (T-2nd) - NCAA
2016-17: 26-8, 12-2 ASUN (1st) - NCAA
2017-18: 23-12, 12-2 (ASUN (1st) - NIT
2018-19: 11-17, 6-7 (ASUN)
D-I Total: 205-185, 109-90 ASUN
Last 6+ Years (since 2012-13): 151-86, 76-29 ASUN

THE STRENGTH OF ALICO
FGCU boasts a 97-23 record (.808) at Alico Arena since the 2012-13 season. In ASUN games during that same stretch, the Eagles have been even more dominant, posting a 46-7 (.868) 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. Brandon Goodwin (played at FGCU from 2016-18) led the Iowa Wolves to a 136-130 victory against the Stockton Kings in the NBA G League on Feb. 11. Goodwin had a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added four assists and four steals in 39 minutes. During his last three games with the Wolves, Goodwin is averaging 20.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 2.7 rpg. The first player in FGCU history to compete in the NBA is also averaging 1.4 ppg and 0.9 apg in 16 games for the Denver Nuggets.

#2. Bernard Thompson (2011-15) had a team-high 24 points and finished with five assists and three steals in a close 85-79 loss for his Hungarian side ZTE KK against Szolnok on Feb. 9. Thompson is averaging 14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.6 spg.

#3. Chase Fieler (2010-14) recorded a team-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a 100-94 loss for Oostende against SIG Strasbourg on Feb. 6. Oostende competes in group D of Belgium's Basketball Champions League. In 14 games, Fieler averages 10.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.5 apg.

#4. Demetris Morant (2014-17) plays in Germany for Artland Dragons. His team lost 79-66 on the road at Nuernberg on Feb. 9, but he recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks in 26 minutes. Artland competes in ProA. Morant is averaging 13.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 1.4 bpg in 22 games.

#5. Marc-Eddy Norelia (2013-17) finished with six points in eight minutes of work in Caen's 78-64 win over Paris in French ProB action on Feb. 8. This year Norelia averages 7.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 18 games.

#6. Sherwood Brown (2009-13), who currently plays in the Romanian Liga Nationala, recorded 10 points, five rebounds and three assists for Timisoara in an 86-85 loss to Pitesti on Feb. 11. He is averaging 11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.4 spg in 18 games.

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 MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Do you enjoy watching or following the FGCU men's basketball program? Would you like to play a role in the growth of the program and help take it to heights never before experienced? If so, you can reach out to Director of Advancement, Matt Ring, about opportunities to make an impact on the experiences of our student-athletes. He can be reached by email at mring@fgcu.edu or by office phone at 239-745-4434.

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.