FGCU men's basketball team begins ASUN Tournament title quest against Queens (N.C.)
The FGCU men's basketball team begins its quest for the ASUN Championship Monday against Queens (N.C.) in Kennesaw, Ga., home of the conference's top seed: Kennesaw State. Here's a closer look at the matchup.
No. 10 FGCU men (17-14, 7-11) vs. No. 9 Queens (17-14, 7-11)
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Where: KSU Convention Center, Kennesaw, Ga.
Watch: ESPN+
Series: Queens leads 1-0
What to know – FGCU: The Eagles earned their way into the final spot for the ASUN Tournament with an 89-71 victory over Austin Peay last Friday. FGCU matched its season high for most points in a half, scoring 62 in the opening 20 minutes against the Governors on 71% shooting from the field, including 11 of 16 attempts from the 3-point line. The Eagles lost their only previous meeting with Queens, dropping an 84-82 road decision on Jan. 26. The loss to the Royals came during an eight-game stretch in January that saw FGCU go just 1-7. The Eagles led Queens by five points with four minutes remaining but couldn't hold on for the win. “They got some big offensive rebounds on us late in that game to beat us," FGCU coach Pat Chambers said. "We’ll watch film, we’ll get prepared, we’ll learn from that game and make sure we have fresh legs and fresh minds going into it.” The loss to the Royals was one of 13 games this season for FGCU that were decided by six or fewer points; the Eagles went just 4-9 in those contests. Queens: The Royals are in their first year in the ASUN and beginning a four-year transition from Division II. Queens have lost two in a row entering the ASUN Tournament, including a 73-53 loss at Liberty last Friday. The Royals have a strong backcourt headed by senior guard Kenny Dye (17.2 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds) and sophomore guard AJ McKee (15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds). Queens is second in the ASUN both in total rebounds per game (37.2) and third in offensive boards (11.2). The Royals also lead the conference in free throws made (477) and attempted (655). Queens outscored FGCU 20-9 from the charity stripe in the teams' regular season matchup.
More:FGCU men's basketball earns final spot in ASUN Tournament, plus full ASUN Tournament schedule
2023 ASUN Basketball Tournament bracket
Click here for the 2023 ASUN Men's Basketball Tournament printable bracket.
2023 ASUN Basketball Tournament schedule
Today
Game 1: 9. Queens vs. 10. FGCU (at Kennesaw St.), 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2: 7. North Florida vs. 8. Bellarmine (at Liberty), 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Tuesday
Quarterfinals
Game 3: Game 1 winner at 1. Kennesaw St., 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 4: 5. Lipscomb at 4. Stetson, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 5: Game 2 winner at 2. Liberty, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 6: 6. N. Alabama at 3. Eastern Kentucky, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Thursday
Semifinals
Game 7: Lowest remaining seed at Highest remaining seed, Time TBD on ESPN+
Game 8: Next lowest remaining seed at Next highest remaining seed, Time TBD on ESPN+
Sunday
Championship game
Game 9: Lowest remaining seed at Highest remaining seed, 3 p.m. on ESPN2
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FGCU starts ASUN men's basketball tournament against Queens
