FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast basketball fans will be able to kick off the weekend in exciting fashion with all that is taking place on the FGCU campus Friday afternoon and evening. It starts with a shot at hardware and continues with a reunion and a chance to blemish an opponent's otherwise impeccable record.

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GAME NOTES: FGCU | FIU

The outlook for Friday's action is much better than Outlook's performance on Thursday as FGCU (1-2) will host in-state foe FIU (2-0) at Alico Arena at 7 p.m. on Camp Reunion Night, where 2026 basketball campers are taking advantage of special ticket rates. But the party starts before that with the Dirty Bird Pre-Game presented by Fly 98.5 starting at 6 p.m.

Even earlier, FGCU's women's soccer team will host Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Tournament Championship Game at Pickering Field at 4 p.m. A ticket to the basketball game grants admission to the soccer game and vice versa.

The other reunion taking place is when FIU takes the Alico Arena floor. Currently in his first season guiding the Panthers, former FGCU assistant coach Joey Cantens makes his first return to The Next since trading the Green & Blue for Navy & Gold.

His currently undefeated Panthers lead the nation in free throw percentage (93.0) – an opponent that's perfect for the Dirty Birds to contend with after they get to enjoy their pre-game party presented by Fly 98.5 an hour before tipoff.

FIU is also ranked fifth nationally in blocks per game (8.0), a number that will be tested against FGCU's tallest roster in program history. However, the Panthers are far from short, boasting a 7-foot player of their own, Denmark native Andreas Holst that is disappointingly 0-for-2 from the 3-point line. FGCU's 7-foot-0 center Justin Houser 4 of 10 beyond the arc.

An immovable object will meet an unstoppable force at Alico Arena on Friday night. FIU ranks 11^th nationally in 3-point field goal defense (22.2) and will face an Eagle squad that is hitting 12.3 long-range buckets per game, ranking 22^nd in the nation. If FGCU can continue that streak and hit 8 3-pointers against the Panthers, everyone in attendance will win a free slider from Dave's Hot Chicken on Dani Drive.

Fans attending the game can take advantage of the $5 Happy Hour special from gates open to opening tip off, which is also available for fans making their way over from Pickering Field.
 
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