FGCU MBB @ UMBC Preview

In their first ever matchup of Cinderellas, the FGCU men's basketball team (3-8) wrap up their two-game road trip as they travel to face UMBC (6-5) on Sunday, December 16 at 7 P.M. at the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Md.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles opened their two-game road trip with a 96-76 win over Oral Roberts in the "Battle of the Eagles". The win for the Eagles was their first one since November 16 against South Dakota State as they entered with a six-game losing streak until they beat Oral Roberts in a rematch from last year.

Offensively, it's redshirt senior Schadrac Casimir and junior Raysean Scott Jr that lead the team.

Casimir, who went on a tear against Oral Roberts, is averaging 12 points per game. The Iona transfer had 24 points and was 7-for-8 at the three point line.

Despite only play four games, Scott Jr., who returned from injury, is averaging 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Scott had 16 points and eight rebounds against Oral Roberts.

Since start seven of his 11 games played, redshirt junior Brady Ernst has improved drastically compared to last year. The Clinton, Iowa native who usually played backup center for redshirt senior Ricky Doyle, is averaging 5.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game (last year: 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Against Oral Roberts, the double transfer from Iowa State and NJCAA Indian Hills Community College had eight points and four rebounds.

Two other players that have been on a roll are junior Decardo Day and redshirt senior Dinero Mercurius.

Although averaging 4.6 points per game, Day is averaging 3.3 assists per game. Against Oral Roberts, Day had his best game against Oral Roberts as he finished with a career-high 16 points and six assists.

Mercurius is averaging 9.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Mercurius had 13 points and two rebounds against Oral Roberts.

Redshirt senior Haanif Cheatham did not play in the game. The Marquette transfer is averaging 13.2 points per game, but is also averaging 2.4 turnovers per game.

Scouting UMBC:
Just like the birth of Dunk City in 2013, everyone know UMBC as the biggest bracket buster team in the nation from last year. The defending America East Conference champions, who were the #16 seed in the 2018 NCAA National Tournament South Region defeated Virginia Tech, the #1 team in the nation in the first round of the tournament, becoming the first #16 seed to defeat a #1 seed in any regional before falling to Kansas State in the second round.

Getting back on track, the Retrievers are coming off of an 80-76 loss in double overtime to Towson at home.

Redshirt senior Joe Sherburne and junior K.J. Jackson lead the way offensively for the Retrievers.

Sherburne leads the team with 13.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. Sherburne had 14 points and six assists against Towson.

Jackson is averaging 12 points and 4.3 assists per game. Jackson had 17 points and four assists.

Sophomore Brandon Horvath and juniors Max Curran and Arkel Lamar.

Horvath, who primarily plays off the bench as a role player, is averaging 11.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Horvath had 19 points and six rebounds off the bench against Towson.

Despite being held to two points and one rebound, Curran is still averaging 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Lamar, who also plays both on and off the bench, is averaging 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Against Towson, Lamar had 15 points and six rebounds.

How to Keep Up:
Livestats will be available and will air on ESPN+. The commentary at UMBC will be led Gary Stein, John Feinstein and Paul Mittermeier.

Fans can also keep up on Twitter:
FGCU: @FGCU_MBB
UMBC: @UMBC_MBB

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 or $49.99 yearly afterwards.

Livestats Link: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=238955

Livestream Link: http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/378cc507-9950-4e78-a3ac-86984430312c/florida-gulf-coast-vs-umbc