FGCU WBB: A-SUN Tournament Championship Finals Preview

The FGCU women's basketball team (29-4, 5-0) prepare for the final draw for the national tournament as they face Jacksonville (24-7) in the A-Sun Conference Tournament Finals.

 Here's the scenario for both teams: if FGCU, The No. 1 seed in the tournament, wins the conference tournament finals, they will go to the national tournament and the No. 2 seed Dolphins will more than likely not be eligible for a postseason tournament. If the Dolphins win, then they will go to the national tournament. But where does that leave the Eagles? Well since the Eagles won the season championship, if they lose, then they will automatically be in the WNIT, but the Eagles can get an at-large bid for the national tournament is determined by record, ranking, strength of schedule and their RPI ranking. Currently, FGCU's RPI is 52 while JU is 98.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles recently played in the semifinals of the A-SUN Conference Tournament where they defeated Lipscomb by a score of 105-55. This was the first 100 point game the Eagles had this season. The Eagles broke their own program record for 3-pointers made in a game (22)

Senior Rose Julien continues to lead the way offensively. Named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team, Julien is averaging 13.3 points per game and free throw percentage (.832). Julien was held scoreless against Lipscomb, but contributed with six rebounds and two blocks.

Sophomore Tytionia Adderly continues to be the main rebounder of the team. Adderly, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team is averaging 7.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. In her game against Lipscomb, Adderly five points and seven rebounds, in which four of them being offensive. Adderly is fourth all-time in career offensive rebounds (227). Adderly is 10 offensive rebounds away from surpassing Robyn Swain (236) for third all-time.

Redshirt senior Taylor Grandijan is averaging 10.4 points per game. Grandijan, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Acadmic Team for the third straight year, had 16 points against  Lipscomb. The rare sixth-year senior has 1,226 career points 3-pointer Grandijan is 38 away from passing Kelsey Jacobsen (1,263) for fifth all-time. Also, in the game against Lipscomb, Grandijan shot four 3-pointers. Grandijan passed former WNBA player Whitney Knight (294) for second all-time in career 3-pointers with 298. She is 33 away from passing Jacobsen (330) for first all-time in career 3's.

Senior Erica Nelson is averaging 8.3 points, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Nelson had nine points, six assists and two steals against Lipscomb. In addition, Nelson also added two blocks which gives her 23 in her career and ties her with Haley Laughter for 11th all-time.

Bench Role Sparks:
Remaining as the key sparks off the bench are redshirt seniors Jessica Cattani and China Dow and redshirt junior Lisa Zderadicka.

Cattani is averaging 7.3 points per game. She scored 13 points against Lipscomb.

Dow is second on the team in points per game (11.6) and has been a key role for the bench. Dow, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team, had a season high 30 points against Lipscomb. The Louisville native added six rebounds and was 8-10 behind the arc

Zderadicka is averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 assists per game. The Vienna, Austria native and Houston Baptist transfer had eight points and three assists against Lipscomb.

Scouting Lady Dolphins:
The Lady Dolphins played against crosstown rival UNF in the other semifinal game. They would defeat the Ospreys 83-77 in overtime.

Junior Jasmyn Brown leads the team offensively. Brown is averaging 13.5 points. Brown, who was named a member of the A-SUN All-Conference Second Team, scored 15 against UNF.

Senior Brandi Buie is averaging 11.3 points per game. Against UNF, Buie scored 15 points.

Senior Kayla Gordon is averaging 12.4 points and 9.7 per game. Gordon, who was named a the A-SUN Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the A-SUN All-Conference First Team, had 17 points and eight rebounds against UNF.

Series History:
FGCU is 22-3 against JU. FGCU swept the season series this year with JU winning 63-58 at home and 65-33 at JU. Last time both teams met in the A-SUN Conference Tournament finals was during the 2015-16 season when JU upset FGCU at the Alico Arena winning 56-54.

The game will air on ESPN 3 at 3 P.M. and live stats will be provided. The game will also be heard on the radio on stations 94.1 (South Fort Myers/Estero), 103.3 (Cape Coral/Fort Myers) and 105.9 (Naples/Bonita Springs).

The game is also dubbed as a Whiteout as marketing is encouraging students and fans to wear white to the game.