FGCU MBB vs NJIT Preview

The FGCU men's basketball returns to action as they continue their three-game road trip with a game against NJIT to continue conference play.

Last Time Out:
Last game, the Eagles (18-8, 9-0 A-SUN) played Jacksonville for the first game of the three-game road trip where the Eagles blew out the Dolphins 80-55, thus sweeping the season series between both teams. Currently, the Eagles remain in sole possession of first place in conference.

Leading the way against JU was the duo of redshirt junior Zach Johnson and redshirt senior Brandon Goodwin. Both players scored at least 20 points in the game. Johnson finished with 25 points while Goodwin finished with 24.

Johnson is currently averaging 14.9 points per game overall and 18.2 points per game in conference.

Goodwin is averaging 17.5 points per game overall and 17.4 points per game in conference. Goodwin also leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game.

Junior Dinero Mercurius is also someone to look out for. Mercurius scored 11 points against JU and is averaging 8.8 points per game overall and 9.4 in conference.


Scouting NJIT:
The Highlanders (12-12, 5-4 A-SUN) recently competed against Lipscomb where they won 81-77. The Highlanders are currently in a three-way tie for third place in conference with Lipscomb and UNF.

Junior Abdul Lewis, who was named A-SUN Player of the Week on Monday, set a career high with 27 points at Lipscomb on Saturday, while posting game highs in rebounds (13), assists (5) and blocks (4). The last of his career-high four swats came on a potential game-tying attempt with 11 seconds left. Lewis is averaging 11.5 points per game.

Sophomore Anthony Tarke scored 27 points as well against the Bisons to tie his career high. He's tallied double-figure points in six-straight contests. Tarke is averaging 15.7 points per game.

Series History:
FGCU holds a 4-1 edge in the all-time series with NJIT. The Highlanders joined the ASUN in 2015-16, and the Eagles split with them that first year as each team protected its home court. However, FGCU swept both matchups last year and took the first meeting this year. The Eagles defeated the Highlanders earlier in the season, winning 68-54.

The game is scheduled to start at 7 PM on Thursday, February 8.