FGCU WBB vs UNF Preview

The FGCU women's basketball team (20-3, 6-0 A-SUN) prepare for a two-game road trip in Jacksonville as they play UNF (9-12, 2-4 A-SUN) and JU (15-6, 5-1 A-SUN) for conference play.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles faced JU in a previous game at home. The Eagles won the game 63-58 to continue their 10-game winning streak. The Eagles still maintain sole possession of first place in the A-SUN.

The Top 25:
On January 30, FGCU placed at #25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. This was the first time since April 6, 2015 that FGCU was ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The Eagles also remain #1 in the CollegeInsider.com and ESPNW mid-major polls.

Key Player(s):
The players to look at for FGCU are Seniors Rose Julien and Erica Nelson, redshirt senior Taylor Grandijan and sophomore Tytionia Adderly.

Julien leads the way scoring 12.8 points per game and leads the team in free throw percentage (85%). Julien had 11 points against JU and was 6-for-7 at the free throw line.

Nelson is averaging 9.1 points per game and ties for first in assists per game (2.8). Nelson had 14 points and one assist against JU and was 9-for-10 at the free throw line.

Grandijan is averaging 10 points per game and third on the team in rebounds per game (3.5). Grandijan had seven points against JU. Grandijan currently has 1,115 career points and is 21 points away from surpassing current video coordinator Stephanie Haas (1,135) for seventh all-time. Grandijan is also 26 three's away from surpassing WNBA player Whitney Knight (294) for second all-time in career 3-pointers.

Adderly was held to only two points and one defensive rebound against JU as she did not return in the game due to an injury. Adderly is averaging seven points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Bench Role Sparks:
Redshirt seniors China Dow and Jessica Cattani and redshirt junior Lisa Zderadicka continue providing sparks off the bench.

Dow is averaging 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. The Louisville native scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds as she filled in for Adderly for the remainder of the game against JU.

Cattani only played three minutes against JU, but is averaging seven points per game.

Zderadicka is averaging 7.1 points per game and is tied with Nelson in assists per game (2.8). The Houston Baptist transfer and Vienna, Austria native scored four points and dished four assists.

Adderly vs Grandijan, The Rebound Bout:
In a battle of career rebounds, the "bout" has between two players: Grandijan and Adderly.

While Adderly currently leads the team in rebounds per game (8.4) and total rebounds (193), Grandijan is third in rebounds per game (3.5) and fourth in total rebounds (77). It has been a battle of crashing the boards for both players.

Grandijan currently sits sixth all-time in career rebounds (458) while Adderly is seventh (448).

Both players are in tact to surpass Kaneisha Atwater (508) in career rebounds.

Offensive Board Outcomes:
Adderly currently has 91 offensive rebounds this season and is also seventh all-time in career offensive rebounds (185) while remaining two away from surpassing Atwater (186) for sixth all-time. More than likely, the Jupiter native will surpass Katie Meador (193; fifth all-time) and Kate Schrader (194; fourth all-time).

There is a possibility that Adderly could surpass Robyn Swain (236; third all-time) and Adrianne McNally (240; second all-time) by the end of the season, but it is a stretch for her to surpass Sarah Hansen (329) for all-time leader in career offensive rebounds at the end of the season.

Scouting UNF:
The Osprey recently competed against Stetson in a losing fashion (55-68) and are currently in fifth place in conference.

Redshirt senior Keonna Farmer leads the Osprey offensively. Farmer is averaging 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game and leads the team in steals (55). The UAB transfer had a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds and four steals against Stetson.

Redshirt senior Tesh Hanson is averaging 11.4 points per game and leads the team in blocks (14). The Liberty University transfer had seven points and six rebounds against Stetson.

Series History:
The Eagles are 21-2 against the Osprey. Last series between the two teams, the Eagles swept the series winning 68-51 at UNF and 69-46 at FGCU during the season and eliminated the Osprey in the A-SUN Conference Tournament Quarterfinals winning 59-42. The Osprey's last win was on February 13, 2010 where UNF won 57-56.

The Eagles play UNF on Thursday, February 1 at 7 pm on ESPN 3

Links for game:

http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3273160/florida-gulf-coast-vs-north-florida-w-basketball