FGCU MBB @ Oral Roberts Preview

Returning on the road in the "Battle of the Eagles", the FGCU men's basketball team (2-8) travel for a rematch against Oral Roberts (3-7) on Wednesday, December 5 at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles suffered their sixth-straight loss of the season after losing their second straight home game to Colgate (7-1) this past Sunday inside Alico Arena, and are looking to end the skid.

FGCU shot 32.4 percent from the field as Colgate connected 44.8 percent of its shots.

Freshman Zach Scott scored a career-high 13 points off the bench. Scott is averaging 6.5 points per game.

Junior RaySean Scott, Jr., who returned from injury, had a 11 points and nine rebounds. Scott Jr. is averaging 8.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in three games.

Leading the team overall are redshirt seniors Haneef Cheatham and Schadrac Casimir.

Although he was held to two points against Colgate, Cheatham still leads the time in points per game (13.2) while Casimir had eight points and is averaging 10.8 points per game.

After getting a career-high 15 points against FIU, redshirt junior Brady Ernst has gotten more effective crashing the boards. Ernst is averaging 5.3 points and five rebounds per game. Against Colgate, the native of Clinton, Iowa had eight points and eight rebounds.

Sophomore Brian Thomas returned from injury and played his first game of the season. Despite only two points, Thomas added three rebounds and four blocks. Personally, he should start this season.

I don't care if he plays at the four or the five, he deserves to start at least one game this season. I mean Ernst is doing a great job, don't get me wrong, but Thomas needs to start ahead of

Scouting Oral Roberts:
Oral Roberts, whose mascot is also the Eagles, are coming off of a 79-67 loss to Southern Methodist. The Eagles are led offensively by redshirt junior Emmanuel Nzekwesi, who had 18 points and eight rebounds against SMU. Nzekwesi is averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Following Nzekwesi are senior Kaelen Malone and redshirt freshman Kevin Obanor.

Malone, who is averaging 9.9 points and 4.1 assists per game, had five points and eight assists while Obanor, who is averaging 9.1 points per game, had four points against SMU.

ORU defeated the Eagles 83-64 in the first meeting between the programs on Dec. 16 of last season, so this will be a rematch for FGCU, hence the "Battle of the Eagles"

How to Keep Up:
Livestats will be available and will air on ESPN3. The commentary at Oral Roberts will be led by play-by-play commentator and color commentator.

In addition, the game will also be featured in audio on 107.9 MHZ or KRXO 1270 AM (The Franchise), led by Adam Hildebrandt.

Fans can also keep up on Twitter:
FGCU: @FGCU_MBB
Oral Roberts: @ORUMBB

ESPN+:
FGCU will air on the subscription-based digital platform ESPN+,  the new home for all A-SUN sports. Subscribers can try the new app for free for 30 days, which follows to $4.99 a month fee afterwards.

Livestats link: http://www.oruathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2018-19/boxscores/20181205_pyeu.xml

ESPN3 link: http://www.espn.com/watch

Radio Link: http://player.listenlive.co/48101