Florida Gulf Coast Basketball: 2021-22 season preview for Eagles

Key games and overall outlook

Florida Gulf Coast will be tested early and often with fellow Mid-Major power Loyola Chicago hosting the Eagles right off the bat on November 13th. Following, FGCU will host USC in a reunion for their 2013 Sweet 16 squad as head coach Andy Enfield makes his return to Fort Myers on Nov. 16th alongside the rest of his 2013 team. The night will feature a pregame ceremony for FGCU’s historical run. After the dust settles, a home matchup with Rhode Island awaits a week later. Seldom do we see a Mid-Major host power conference opponent, yet FGCU does.

With this being said, it will be crucial to capitalize on opportunities to face talented rosters early and often as USC and Loyola are both fresh off of NCAA tournament wins and both of whom are poised to do the same this season. Last year, FGCU took down in-state foe Miami early in the non-conference slate and will look to channel that success again.

The Eagles do not have to make a trip to Atlantic Sun favorite Liberty until late February and host the Flames on January 15th at 7 pm, a Saturday night when Alico Arena is sure to be rocking. If the Eagles can defeat Liberty at least once, they do stand a shot at clinching at least a share in the A-Sun.

Media members nationally believe that the defending A-Sun champions might have a clear path to the Big Dance, but with the additions and returners to a storied FGCU program, I disagree. Ritchie McKay’s squad has won the conference each of its past three seasons since becoming a member in 2019, but their fortunes could be different this time around.

Veterans like Kevin Samuel and Tavian Dunn-Martin will be a steady force for the Eagles will Caleb Catto and Dakota Rivers will help integrate their new teammates into Michael Fly’s system. My bold prediction of Atlantic Sun basketball 2022: the champions will be dethroned at the hands of an experienced Florida Gulf Coast team.