Nearly a decade since FGCU’s “Dunk City” swagger catapulted the Eagles to the Sweet Sixteen in just their sixth season of Division 1 basketball, some of that swagger resurfaced in Fort Myers this spring after the program’s hiring of former Penn State coach Pat Chambers.
Not only does Chambers bring nine seasons of head coaching experience in the Big Ten, but his signature in State College was consistently fielding a team that was defensively stout with the Nittany Lions finishing within the top-30 in defensive efficiency rating in each of his last three seasons. In comparison, the Eagles’ defensive efficiency rating was never better than 194th in the nation during any of previous head coach Michael Fly’s four seasons, with last season ending with its worst defensive efficiency rate (266th, according to KenPom).
At Penn State, typical Pat Chambers’ defenses were known for rim protection, prevention of perimeter shooting and stout interior defense. For comparison, the table below averages the stats and the rankings for both teams across the last three seasons:
AVERAGE OF DEFENSIVE EFFICIENCY STATS AND RANKINGS
BETWEEN 19-20 and 21-22
Looking at the data, both Fly and Chambers were simpatico in the importance of protecting the rim, but it’s clear that Chambers’ teams were much more dedicated to making it difficult for opponents to take quality shots. Some of that is based on athleticism, but at the Division 1 level where almost every team has good athletes, it more has to do with wanting it more and coaching it into the DNA of a program. Penn State’s teams under Chambers were known as one of the harder teams to play against in the Big Ten, even if they were usually one of the least talented teams in the conference.
A shift in the defensive mindset of FGCU’s returning players can do wonders for the Eagles, adding another dimension to last year’s squad known for its quick pace and smooth shooting offense.
Overview of Returning Players
Overall, the Eagles return six regular rotation players, two of which were everyday starters. Arguably the best returning starter is senior Cyrus Largie, the physical 6’3 204 guard who led the Eagles last year in steal percentage (3.0% was 184th nationally) and free throw rate (36.1% was 356th nationally) while his 58.7 2p% was ranked 222th nationally. Largie’s combination of efficiency, ability to attack the rim and defensive versatility will endear him to the new coaching staff.
Returning for his extra year of eligibility, Caleb Catto is an efficient shooter who has gotten better as a mistake-preventing distributor. The 6’5 182 guard has career shooting splits of 49.4 2p% and 35.6 3p% and finished last season with a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 2.6 assists and just 1.3 turnovers per game. Averaging a combined 8.3 assists per game, the departing point guard combo of Tavian Dunn-Martin (finished college eligibility) and Luis Rolon (transferred) will open the door for Catto to become more of a point-wing distributor, allowing their incoming guard talent more scoring opportunities.
Starting a combined 29 games, the returning trio of fifth-year Austin Richie, junior Zach Anderson and senior Dakota Rivers provide Chambers with a rotation of stretch forward options. Last season, the trio combined for 95 for 263 from three (36.1%), but all three need to improve their defensive efficiency, rebounding and tenacity to earn more playing time under Chambers.
In limited time, Andre Weir was an efficient, rim protecting, glass eating backup big and will reprise the same role this season. Originally an Ole Miss commit, senior Franco Miller lost his rotation spot last season, but averaged 18 minutes per game as a sophomore.
Overview of Incoming Players
Just six days after losing all-conference big Kevin Samuel to South Alabama, Chambers hit a home run adding redshirt freshman Sam Onu from Memphis. The 6’11 270 big was a four-star recruit out of The Phelps School, a Philly area school well-known to Chambers who grew up near Philadelphia, went to school at Philadelphia University and coached at four Philadelphia area colleges. Out of high school, Onu was touted for his strength, athleticism, post-play and rim-protection, all strengths of the departing Kevin Samuel who averaged 11.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and a 64.4 fg%. It wouldn’t be fair to expect Onu to replace Samuel’s production from day one, but Onu is projected to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
While not a true point guard like Dunn-Martin, Stetson transfer Chase Johnson will be counted on to help replace some of Dunn-Martin’s scoring. The 6’2 185 senior averaged 15.2 points, 1.4 steals and an eye-opening 3.3 threes per game with a 40.1 3p% and a surprisingly efficient 13.0% turnover rate, which ranked 340th lowest in the nation. Johnson’s steal rate of 2.4% would have ranked second on last year’s FGCU team and his 2.3 fouls/40 was the 418th lowest in the nation. Assuming that Johnson will maintain his lights out efficiency from the perimeter with a solid defensive profile, he will be a major two-way contributor.
Continuing the theme of efficient guards is Purdue transfer Isaiah Thompson. The 6’1 160 senior’s efficient perimeter play was the perfect complement to Jaden Ivey’s ball-dominant slashing ability. Shooting threes at a career 39.1 3p% and giving up a remarkable 55 turnovers in 96 career games, Thompson’s 126.1 offensive rating ranked 22nd nationally, according to KenPom. Like Johnson, Thompson is not a true point guard, but a backcourt combination of Catto/Largie/Johnson/Thompson set up the potential for four-out offensive sets with three or four capable shooters and distributors.
Needing a waiver to play this upcoming season, Saint Joseph’s transfer Dahmir Bishop is another Philadelphia-based addition to Chambers’ recruiting class. Originally a four-star recruit by Xavier, Bishop has been an intriguing combo guard prospect thanks to his athleticism and length but has not put it all together at either of his college spots offensively or defensively.
Picking FGCU over six other D1 programs, JuCo addition Josiah Shackleford was an efficient low-post technician at Brunswick, averaging 18.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, nearly a block per game and a field goal percentage of 68.9%. The 6’9 225 forward with three years of eligibility remaining provides the Eagles with a leaner post option to push Andre Weir for playing time.
Their lone high school addition is Philadelphia-area forward Blaise Vespe, who took his post-grad season at IMG Academy after two seasons at Neumann-Goretti Catholic, the #1 ranked team in Pennsylvania his junior season. The 6’7 220 freshman showcased his stretch ability at IMG and will be a depth option this upcoming season.
A Look at the Non-Conference Schedule as of 7-22-22
Note: The number in ( ) next to each team is their respective KenPom ranking at the end of last season:
11/7 @ USC (47)
11/9 @ San Diego (232)
12/21 v Canisius (258)
TBD @ Georgia Southern (253)
TBD @ Mercer (196)
11/21-11/23 at the Gulf Coast Showcase. Three games against potential opponents
Drexel (153), ECU (179), Indiana State (230), Kansas City (214), Northern Kentucky (198), Toledo (95), UT-Arlington (222)
The Eagles start their season with an impressive two-game trip to California. USC will obviously be a tough game while San Diego is much better than their KenPom rating from last year. Former UCLA and St. John’s coach Steve Lavin has put together an impressive roster highlighted by Pac-12 transfers Jaden Delaire (Stanford) and Eric Williams (Oregon).
With its overall weak field and 30-minute drive from campus, FGCU should be one of the favorites to win the Gulf Coast Challenge. An ideal bracket would have the Eagles up against Toledo, easily the best opponent in the field.
Adding Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State last season, as well as Austin Peay this season, the Atlantic Sun should arguably be the deepest it has been since Belmont, Mercer and ETSU were members over a decade ago. Liberty will be the pick for nearly all prognosticators to win the conference, but FGCU is a dark horse candidate and a potentially dangerous team in March should they earn a postseason bid.
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