2017–18 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball team represented Florida Gulf Coast University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Eagles were led by fifth-year head coach Joe Dooley and played their home games at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Florida as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. They finished the season 23–12, 12–2 in ASUN play to win the ASUN regular season championship. In the ASUN tournament, they defeated USC Upstate and North Florida to advance to the championship game where they lost to Lipscomb.[1] As a regular season conference champion who failed to win their conference tournament, they received an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they lost in the first round to Oklahoma State.[2]

2017–18 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball
Atlantic Sun regular season champions
NIT, first round
ConferenceAtlantic Sun Conference
Record23–12 (12–2 ASUN)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaAlico Arena
Seasons
2017–18 ASUN men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Florida Gulf Coast 12 2   .857 23 12   .657
Lipscomb 10 4   .714 23 10   .697
Jacksonville 8 6   .571 15 18   .455
NJIT 7 7   .500 14 16   .467
North Florida 7 7   .500 14 19   .424
Kennesaw State 6 8   .429 10 20   .333
Stetson 4 10   .286 12 20   .375
USC Upstate 2 12   .143 7 25   .219
2018 ASUN Tournament winner

On April 4, 2018, head coach Joe Dooley left the school to become the head coach at East Carolina, where he was previously the head coach from 1995 to 1999.[3][4] The following day, assistant head coach Michael Fly was promoted to head coach.[5]

Previous season

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The Eagles finished the 2016–17 season 26–8, 12–2 in ASUN play to win the regular season championship.[6] As the No. 1 seed in the ASUN tournament, they defeated Stetson, Kennesaw State, and North Florida to win the tournament championship.[7] As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. As a No. 14 seed in the West region, they lost in the first round to No. 3-seeded Florida State.[8]

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for departure
Reggie Reid 1 G 5'11" 162 Sophomore Harlem, GA Graduate transferred to Texas A&M–Commerce
Rayjon Tucker 3 G 6'5" 205 Sophomore Charlotte, NC Transferred to Little Rock
Maxx Bleecher 4 G 6'2" 180 Sophomore Boca Raton, FL Walk-on; left the team for personal reasons
Kevin Mickle 10 F 6'7" 220 RS Junior Brooklyn, NY Graduate transferred to Ohio
C. J. Williamson 12 G 6'6" 200 Sophomore Orlando, FL Dismissed from the team[9]
Demetris Morant 21 F 6'9" 209 RS Senior Las Vegas, NV Graduated
Marc-Eddy Norelia 25 F 6'8" 218 RS Senior Orlando, FL Graduated

Incoming transfers

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous School
Troy Baxter Jr. 1 F 6'8" 200 SO Tallahassee, FL Transferred in June 2017 from UNLV following his freshman season. Will sit out the 2017–18 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, but will then have three years of eligibility beginning as a redshirt sophomore in 2018–19.
Ricky Doyle 15 F 6'10" 250 JR Cape Coral, FL Transferred from Michigan in May 2016 following his sophomore season with the Wolverines. He will have two years of eligibility beginning as a redshirt junior in 2017–18 after sitting out the 2016–17 season per NCAA transfer rules.
Brady Ernst 21 F 6'10" 230 SO Clinton, IA Transferred from Indian Hills Community College in April 2017 and will have three years of eligibility remaining, beginning immediately as a redshirt sophomore in 2017–18.
Michael Gilmore 24 F 6'10" 210 JR Jacksonville, FL Transferred in January 2017 from Miami, where he was sitting out after transferring there from VCU in the summer of 2016. Will sit out two semesters per NCAA transfer rules, and will be eligible to begin play in December 2017 following completion of the fall semester. He will be eligible for the duration of the 2017–18 season and the entire 2018–19 campaign.
Dinero Mercurius 31 G 6'4" 200 JR Orlando, FL Transferred in April 2017 from Daytona State College. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, beginning immediately as a redshirt junior in 2017–18.

2017 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Brian Thomas
PF
Marietta, GA 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (110 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Darnell Rogers
PG
Fort Mill, SC Believe Preparatory School 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) 150 lb (68 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: NR   Rivals: NR  ESPN: NR
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 4, 2014.

Roster

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2017–18 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Brandon Goodwin 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) RS Jr Norcross HS / UCF Norcross, GA
F 1 Troy Baxter Jr.   6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So Oldsmar Christian High School / UNLV Tallahassee, FL
G 2 Joshua Ko (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 167 lb (76 kg) RS Sr Kalaheo HS / Pittsburgh Kailua, HI
G 3 Darnell Rogers 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) 150 lb (68 kg) Fr Indian Land HS / Believe Prep Baltimore, MD
G 5 Zach Johnson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) RS Jr Norland HS Miami, FL
G 10 Kyle Hoffman (W) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 140 lb (64 kg) So Lawrence HS / Ottawa University Lawrence, KS
G 11 Christian Terrell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Sr Providence School of Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
F 13 RaySean Scott Jr. 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 213 lb (97 kg) So Compton HS Compton, CA
F 15 Ricky Doyle 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) RS Jr Bishop Verot HS / Michigan Cape Coral, FL
F 21 Brady Ernst 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) RS So Clinton HS / Indian Hills CC Clinton, IA
G 23 Christian Carlyle 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) So Bishop Kenny HS Jacksonville, FL
F 24 Michael Gilmore   6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jr Rickards HS / Miami / VCU Jacksonville, FL
F 30 Brian Thomas 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Fr Kell HS Marietta, GA
G 31 Dinero Mercurius 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) RS Jr Faith Baptist Christian School / Daytona State Orlando, FL
G 32 Antravious Simmons 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) RS Sr South Miami HS / VCU Miami, FL
G 33 Dolan Mahoney (W) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jr IMG Academy Bradenton, FL
C 55 Ryan Rocuant (W) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr Estero HS Estero, FL
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: Sep 28, 2017

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Non-conference regular season
Nov 11, 2017*
1:00 pm, ESPN3
Illinois State W 98–87  1–0
 27  Johnson   9  Carlyle   7  Goodwin  Alico Arena (4,335)
Fort Myers, FL
Nov 13, 2017*
7:00 pm
at Siena W 86–53  2–0
 16  Tied   11  Doyle   4  Goodwin  Times Union Center (5,387)
Albany, NY
Nov 18, 2017*
6:00 pm, ESPN3
at Bowling Green L 80–83  2–1
 18  Terrell   7  Tied   5  Goodwin  Stroh Center (2,440)
Bowling Green, OH
Nov 21, 2017*
7:30 pm, Stadium
at Middle Tennessee L 72–85  2–2
 20  Goodwin   8  Terrell   3  Tied  Murphy Center (5,017)
Murfreesboro, TN
Nov 24, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Denver
FGCU Shootout
W 79–71  3–2
 20  Johnson   8  Scott   5  Terrell  Alico Arena (3,517)
Fort Myers, FL
Nov 25, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Navy
FGCU Shootout
W 70–54  4–2
 19  Goodwin   10  Terrell   3  Johnson  Alico Arena (3,597)
Fort Myers, FL
Nov 26, 2017*
6:00 pm, ESPN3
St. Francis Brooklyn
FGCU Shootout
W 75–51  5–2
 20  Terrell   10  Scott   3  Johnson  Alico Arena (2,929)
Fort Myers, FL
Nov 29, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Webber International
FGCU Shootout
W 115–61  6–2
 18  Terrell   10  Terrell   10  Goodwin  Alico Arena (3,100)
Fort Myers, FL
Dec 2, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Middle Tennessee L 76–81  6–3
 26  Goodwin   8  Terrell   5  Terrell  Alico Arena (3,931)
Fort Myers, FL
Dec 5, 2017*
7:30 pm, ESPN3
Florida Atlantic L 88–92  6–4
 23  Goodwin   11  Goodwin   4  Goodwin  Alico Arena (3,418)
Fort Myers, FL
Dec 9, 2017*
3:00 pm, ESPN3
at Texas–Arlington W 85–78  7–4
 23  Goodwin   3  3 tied   8  Goodwin  College Park Center (2,635)
Arlington, TX
Dec 16, 2017*
8:15 pm, ESPN3
Oral Roberts L 64–83  7–5
 20  Goodwin   5  Simmons   8  Johnson  Alico Arena (3,316)
Fort Myers, FL
Dec 19, 2017*
7:00 pm
at FIU L 88–91  7–6
 24  Goodwin   9  Tied   8  Goodwin  FIU Arena (509)
Miami, FL
Dec 22, 2017*
7:00 pm, CBSSN
at No. 11 Wichita State L 65–75  7–7
 20  Goodwin   8  Goodwin   3  Goodwin  Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
Wichita, KS
Dec 27, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPNU
at Rhode Island L 60–80  7–8
 14  Simmons   5  Gilmore   2  Tied  Ryan Center (5,347)
Kingston, RI
Dec 29, 2017*
5:00 pm, ESPN3
Florida Memorial W 76–42  8–8
 19  Johnson   5  4 tied   5  Johnson  Alico Arena (3,320)
Fort Myers, FL
Dec 31, 2017*
1:00 pm, ESPN3
Florida Tech W 62–54  9–8
 15  Mercurius   6  Goodwin   11  Goodwin  Alico Arena (2,904)
Fort Myers, FL
Atlantic Sun Conference regular season
Jan 6, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Stetson W 90–52  10–8
(1–0)
 19  Johnson   8  Thomas   6  Terrell  Alico Arena (4,016)
Fort Myers, FL
Jan 11, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
USC Upstate W 75–58  11–8
(2–0)
 17  Johnson   9  Goodwin   6  Johnson  Alico Arena (3,633)
Fort Myers, FL
Jan 13, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
NJIT W 68–54  12–8
(3–0)
 21  Goodwin   10  Goodwin   8  Goodwin  Alico Arena (3,517)
Fort Myers, FL
Jan 18, 2018
7:30 pm, ESPN3
at Lipscomb W 88–83  13–8
(4–0)
 22  Goodwin   7  Simmons   9  Goodwin  Allen Arena (1,147)
Nashville, TN
Jan 20, 2018
4:30 pm, ESPN3
at Kennesaw State W 66–49  14–8
(5–0)
 20  3 tied   14  Pepper   8  Cooper  KSU Convocation Center (1,502)
Kennesaw, GA
Jan 24, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at North Florida W 96–87  15–8
(6–0)
 19  Johnson   11  Gilmore   6  Terrell  UNF Arena (2,248)
Jacksonville, FL
Jan 27, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Jacksonville W 68–62  16–8
(7–0)
 18  Johnson   10  Gilmore   2  Goodwin  Alico Arena (4,427)
Fort Myers, FL
Jan 29, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
North Florida W 103–70  17–8
(8–0)
 16  Johnson   12  Gilmore   7  Johnson  Alico Arena (4,016)
Fort Myers, FL
Feb 3, 2018
6:00 pm, ESPN3
at Jacksonville W 80–55  18–8
(9–0)
 25  Johnson   6  3 tied   6  Terrell  Swisher Gymnasium (1,283)
Jacksonville, FL
Feb 8, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at NJIT W 75–70  19–8
(10–0)
 17  Terrell   9  Goodwin   4  Goodwin  Wellness and Events Center (661)
Newark, NJ
Feb 10, 2018
4:00 pm, ESPN3
at USC Upstate W 88–71  20–8
(11–0)
 21  Scott   6  4 tied   6  Tied  G. B. Hodge Center (833)
Spartanburg, SC
Feb 15, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Kennesaw State L 93–97  20–9
(11–1)
 28  Goodwin   8  Terrell   4  Goodwin  Alico Arena (3,825)
Fort Myers, FL
Feb 17, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Lipscomb L 87–90  20–10
(11–2)
 28  Goodwin   7  Gilmore   5  Goodwin  Alico Arena (4,497)
Fort Myers, FL
Feb 22, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Stetson W 76–60  21–10
(12–2)
 27  Goodwin   8  Tied   4  Tied  Edmunds Center (1,150)
DeLand, FL
Atlantic Sun tournament
Feb 26, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
(1) (8) USC Upstate
Quarterfinals
W 96–76  22–10
 26  Johnson   8  Simmons   8  Terrell  Alico Arena (2,832)
Fort Myers, FL
Mar 1, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3
(1) (5) North Florida
Semifinals
W 95–72  23–10
 18  Goodwin   6  Tied   7  Terrell  Alico Arena (3,321)
Fort Myers, FL
Mar 4, 2018
3:00 pm, ESPN
(1) (2) Lipscomb
Championship game
L 96–108  23–11
 37  Johnson   8  Simmons   4  Tied  Alico Arena (4,633)
Fort Myers, FL
NIT
Mar 13, 2018*
8:00 pm, ESPN2
(7) at (2) Oklahoma State
First Round – USC Bracket
L 68–80  23–12
 23  Johnson   6  Goodwin   5  Goodwin  Gallagher-Iba Arena (5,305)
Stillwater, OK
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

References

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  1. ^ "Lipscomb basketball earns berth in Atlantic Sun championship after crushing Jacksonville". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Oklahoma State tops FGCU 80-68 in NIT opening round". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  3. ^ "East Carolina brings back Dooley as its men's hoops coach". kentucky. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Dooley returns to ECU for 2nd coaching stint". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Caldwell, Dana (April 5, 2018). "FGCU names longtime assistant Michael Fly as new men's basketball head coach". Naples Daily News. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  6. ^ "Zach Johnson shoots FGCU to win over Stetson". FGCUEaglesNest.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  7. ^ "North Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast - Game Recap - March 5, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  8. ^ "Florida State defeats Florida Gulf Coast: NCAA Tournament first round". OregonLive.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  9. ^ "FGCU's CJ Williamson arrested, suspended indefinitely from basketball team". News Press. Retrieved February 15, 2017.