Eagles set hoops schedules
Florida Gulf Coast University just released the finalized versions of both its men’s and women’s basketball programs for the 2015-16 season.
After three straight 20-win seasons that led to consecutive postseason appearances, the FGCU men will face a record 18 home games. The Eagles will host a pre-Thanksgiving Classic by welcoming Youngstown State, North Dakota and Bowling Green to Alico Arena Nov. 21-23.
Of 16 non-conference contests, 12 are against Division I opponents, four of which won at least 20 games and four played postseason games.
Both teams open on the road – women Nov. 13 at North Carolina A&T, men at Ohio on Nov. 14.
Women’s basketball coach Karl Smesko will lead his squad on a 29-game campaign that includes 15 non-conference matchups and 14 Atlantic Sun Conference games. Just 13 of the 29 games are slated for Alico Arena.
The schedule was set after arrangements for the Eagles’ appearance in the Akron (Ohio) Classic were confirmed.
“Our schedule has a good balance of BCS and top mid-major programs,” said Smesko. “It is a challenging nonconference schedule that will prepare us for Atlantic Sun play.”
As the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Champions, the Eagles face a broad range of strong competition this season. The slate includes eight teams that played in the postseason last year with four squads having appeared in the NCAA Tournament and four that played in the WNIT.
Find schedules on www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com or fgcuathletics.com