By: Sterling Thomas
FGCU has always strived to play a competitive non-conference schedule year in and year out. This year however it proved to be more difficult thanks in large part to the Eagle’s recent success. To many schools in bigger conferences, playing a team like FGCU is a scary prospect. Not only because they may lose and hurt their strength of schedule (SOS), but they are also most likely paying for the game and would prefer the easy win so their fans can go home happy. Coach Dooely and Athletic Director Ken Kavanagh worked together to craft the best schedule possible with the limitations of being a top mid-major program this season.
The season begins with three games within the cozy confines of Alico Arena. The first of which will be a tune up game against Nova Southeastern on November 15th. The Sharks (D-II) return their top six scorers from a squad that went 13-17 (8-8) with a 77-59 win over FIU. While they should be an improved team, and will give FGCU all they have, Nova just does not have the horses to run with the Eagles. As a team that only went seven deep last year, the Sharks must capitalize on every opportunity they’re given or they will be overwhelmed by the size and depth of the Eagles.
Next up, the Eagles play the first half of an in-season home and home series with UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos return six players that played at least ten minutes a game as they went 21-9 (12-4) last season. Prior to coming to Alico, UCSB will stop in Kansas to play the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. Alan Williams is the player to watch in this matchup. The 6-foot-8, 265 pound senior averaged 21.3 points and 11.5 rebounds a game last season. He will be one of the best big men the Eagles will see all season and if he can be contained in the post, it bodes well for FGCU.
In the final game of their home stand, FGCU will be hosting Ohio Bobcats. The Bobcats lost a lot of talent off of last season’s 25-12 effort, but they should still be squarely in the thick of things in the MAC this season. The talent on this team begins with the big man Maurice Ndour, who averaged 13.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game. Ndour is a force on both sides of the ball with his extremely long frame. The biggest question for Ohio is can all the newcomers do enough to help supplement the returnees efforts.
Florida Gulf Coast leaves Alico Arena for it’s first game away from home, but they won’t have to travel far. The Eagles will be playing down the road at Germain Arena for the Gulf Coast Showcase. They're guaranteed three games in the event and are matched up with Marist in the first round. Even though Marist went 12-19 last season, the Red Foxes return some very good players in 6-foot-5 wing Chavaughn Lewis and last season's MAAC rookie of the year Khallid Hart. The duo combined to average over 32 points per game and will prove to be a tough test for the Eagle’s defense. The other six teams in the tournament are Hawaii, San Francisco, Green Bay, ECU, Fresno State, and Evansville. Playing so close to home, FGCU should be the favorite to win the event.
The Eagles play their first true road game of the season when they travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to take on the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State University.The Jackrabbits are in a bit of a rebuilding year after losing not one, but three players who scored 1,000 points in their careers. This doesn’t mean it will be an easy win for FGCU. SDSU has some very capable players that will be looking to make their mark on the program. Cody Larson has been an excellent inside presence, averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds a game, ever since he arrived from Florida and figures to be one of the main options going forward. The other player to watch is Deondre Parks, a JUCO All-American.
Next up, FGCU returns home to play Florida Tech. The Panthers have two very dynamic guards in Chris Carter and Jermaine Jackson. Both players are Division-II preseason all-americans and know how to score the ball. Carter makes his presence felt in every aspect of the game, averaging 17.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. Not to be out-shined by his counterpart Jackson, who averaged 19.5 points and 4.1 rebounds last season.
The Eagles hit the road for Massachusetts where they will face the first of three 2014 NCAA Tournament teams. The game against the Minutemen will be played in Springfield, Massachusetts for the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase Game. UMass plays a very uptempo game and plans to press teams this season. The question for the Minuteman is who will step up to be the go-to-guy. Four different players averaged between eight and twelve points last season, and if they want to compete for back to back tournament bids then one of the quartet must step up. At 6-foot-10, Cady Lalanne is the biggest returning player from last year’s squad. He averaged 11.3 points and 7.9 rebounds a game and used his length to block 71 shots last season.
FGCU travels back home where they hope to get some revenge against FIU. Last season, the Eagles had a 56-48 with 7:20 left in the game. From that point on the Panthers went on a 24-5 run to close the game and win 72-61. The Panthers lose their top two scores from last season but bring in a few transfers in the hope of making up for their loses. Adrian Diaz from Kansas State is a big man who knows how to finish around the rim. In his final season with K-State he averaged 3.0 points a game in limited minutes. Ray Rodriguez also transferred to FIU, and should provide a weapon from outside. Ray attended UNF his freshman year and played a combined 21 minutes against the Eagles in the 2012-2013 season. The final transfer is JUCO All-American Tashawn Desir, who averaged 13.1 points and 4.5 assists a game last season. He should provide some much needed depth in the backcourt for the Panthers.
Furman comes to Dunk City a season after losing a thrilling game at home to the Eagles. Brett Comer hit two free throws with six seconds left in the game to give FGCU the one point win. Led by Stephen Croone, who averaged 19.1 points per game, the Paladins will be looking to return the favor and beat the Eagles at home. It will be a bit of a homecoming for big man Kendrec Ferrara, a Mariner High School alum. The big man from Cape Coral averaged just under 10 points a game as a sophomore and is primed to step into a bigger role this season. After Furman, the Eagles will hit the road for its longest road trip of the season, and the first stop is New Rochelle, New York to take on Iona. The Gaels were one of the highest scoring offenses in the nation last season, averaging 83.5 points per game. That should be the case again this season with Iona sporting four different double digit scoring returnees.
Next stop on the trip is Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Musketeers lose their top two scorers from last season and must find someone to fill the void left behind. This year they will be a younger team with a talented group of six freshmen, including two ESPN Top-100 players. Both Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura averaged over 30 points per game as high school seniors. If they can provide a scoring punch as freshman, Xavier could challenge for the Big East title and return to the NCAA tournament.
The final and likely toughest test on the trip is at Pittsburgh. Pitt has made the NCAA Tournament in ten of the last eleven season so the Panthers are no strangers to success. They will rely on its experience with senior guard Cameron Wright and junior guard James Robinson. The pair will give Pitt a little of everything but may make their biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball (119 steals).
The Eagles finally return home just in time for the new year and are greeted by the Gyrenes of Ave Maria. The NAIA club finished 12-19 last season. In last season’s matchup, FGCU won, 79-56, in dominating fashion. Although the Gyrenes return their top two scorers in Matt Chattin and Wendell Powell, expect this season’s game to be much like last year’s with the Eagles winning this one comfortably.
FGCU finishes their out of conference with a familiar foe in UC Santa Barbara. This time however the Eagles will travel out to California for the matchup. This game will be the farthest west the Eagles have traveled since they went to Hawaii in 2005 when they were a D-II school.
