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| Courtesy of Linwood Ferguson |
Time: 6:02 P.M ET
TV: ESPNU
Online Video: WatchESPN.com | Mobile Video: WatchESPN app
Radio: 99.3 FM (ESPN) | Online Audio: ESPN 99.3 Stream
Live Stats: StatsBroadcast
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Coach: Joe Dooley
Record: 17-10 (11-3)
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Roster | Schedule
Mercer Bears
Coach: Bob Hoffman
Record: 21-6 (12-2)
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Roster | Schedule
Odds: Mercer -1.5 | O/U: 139
Stats / Streaks / History
-FGCU is 4-11 all time against Mercer.
-In his last two games, Bernard Thompson has averaged: 23.5 points (46% FGs, 61% 3-PT FGs, 86% FTs), 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 3.5 steals.
-Mercer leads the country in assists with 469 (over 27 games).
-Bears guard Langston Hall ranks 15th in the nation with 156 assists.
-Florida Gulf Coast is undefeated at home in conference play this season (7-0).
-In the first meeting this season (Mercer won 68-55), FGCU shot just 1/17 (5.9%) from the beyond the arc and 21/60 (35%) from the floor.
-FGCU has been out-rebounded in 8 of their 10 losses this season.
-The Eagles are 6-1 when Eric McKnight grabs six or more rebounds.
FGCU Quotables
“We really want to win the conference and bring the tournament to our place. We know that Mercer is the top team right now. We’re going to see what we did wrong last time. We know we made a lot of mistakes. But they’re coming down to Fort Myers to play us. We have a home-court advantage and, hopefully, that will work in our favor," -Bernard Thompson via News-Press
“We’ve got some time to prepare, which is nice. We need to focus and fix the mistakes we made last time," -Joe Dooley via News-Press
“I feel like we’re the most talented team in the league. They’re definitely talented. Every team in our league has a lot of talent. But I think if we play our best it’s really just on us. We can’t beat ourselves," -Chase Fieler via News-Press
“They’re a great team, very consistent. Wins against BCS schools and they’re really on the rise with their program as well. I think if they would’ve been able to stay in the A-Sun, it would’ve given a lot more power to the conference," -Chase Fieler via Naples Daily
Mercer Quotables
"Going down to FGCU. They're going to be ready. They've got a great team. Joe Dooley is doing a fantastic job with his squad. Those guys have bought in. Those are hard circumstances he came in under and he's done really well. Their guys have played amazingly well," -Bob Hoffman
They lost at ETSU but anybody can lose there. We've lost there many times and we lost at Upstate. It happens in our league," -Bob Hoffman
"We're going to have to be ready. I'm sure its going to be really loud so we'll practice with a lot of noise this week and be ready to make our offensive sets with different kind of hand gestures to make sure we're ready for that crowd. It should be a great college basketball experience," -Bob Hoffman
What's At Stake For FGCU
Right now the Eagles are eyeing the ever important regular season crown in order to gain the top seed in the Atlantic Sun tournament. Being the 1st seed ensures that you will be playing all games on your home court - a huge advantage in the tough A-Sun. FGCU, 11-3 in conference, sits in 2nd place and just a game behind Mercer (12-2). If Florida Gulf Coast beats Mercer on Friday and both teams win out after that, the tiebreaker is record against the third place team. ETSU, UNF, and USC Upstate are all vying for the third seed. Because FGCU lost at ETSU, Eagle fans should be rooting for both UNF and USC Upstate, both whom Mercer has lost to.
Eagles Chasing History
Field Goals Made
1. Ryan Hopkins - 462
2. Bernard Thompson - 456
Steals
1. Bryan Crislip - 194
2. Bernard Thompson - 192
For more on FGCU make sure to follow us on Twitter (@FGCUEaglesNest)
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