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NCAA Basketball: 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off preview, predictions

By Cole Amundson

Mar 4, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Ryan Dunn (13) dunks the ball against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Ryan Dunn (13) dunks the ball against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia interim head coach Josh Eilert. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia interim head coach Josh Eilert. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-USA TODAY Sports /

West Virginia

It’s been a wild offseason for Josh Eilert and Company to say the least. As Arizona transfer Kerr Kriisa continues to serve his nine-game suspension after accepting impermissible benefits while at Arizona and Akok Akok yet to return after suffering a scary collapse in an exhibition versus George Mason, the Mountaineers have been dealt with a razor-thin rotation to open the 2023-24 season.

Their razor-thin rotation proved hurtful in their loss to sub-200 KenPom squad Monmouth, where the Mountaineers shot 31% from the field and fell 73-65 at home. Although it hasn’t been all fairy tales and roses to start the season, Iona transfer Quinn Slazinski has been a pleasant surprise — leading the Mountaineers in points (17.3 PPG) followed by Jesse Edwards who is averaging a double-double (14.3 PPG and 10.7 RPG) and Kobe Johnson (13.3 PPG).

Although the Mountaineers’ depth remains a major question mark early in the season for Josh Eilert, a successful showing in Fort Myers can be just what the doctor ordered for continuing to move the needle in the right direction amidst the hurdles Josh Eilert has had to face to open the 2023-24 season.

SMU

In just his second season leading SMU, Rob Lanier’s Mustangs enter the 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off with a record of 3-1 with their lone loss coming to Texas A&M on Nov. 14. Although the Mustangs are far from an NCAA Tournament-caliber team at the given moment, their guard play of Chuck Harris and Zhuric Phelps will present a problem for both West Virginia and Virginia and/or Wisconsin. Harris, a transfer from Butler, leads the team in scoring (14.3 PPG) and minutes played (29.5). Not far behind Harris is Zhuric Phelps, who has put up 13.5 PPG and 3.5 APG but has struggled to shoot efficiently from the field in a four-game sample size.

The key for the Mustangs will be shooting. According to BartTorvik, SMU has a 43.5 2-point percentage, placing them near the bottom 300 of college basketball. If the Mustangs can connect on two-point baskets with strong play from both of their guards, it can be a rather impressive outing in Fort Myers for Rob Lanier’s club.

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