The Florida Golf Coast Eagles are alive and kicking despite nobody knowing who they were or expecting them to enter the Sweet 16 of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. As they get ready to face the Florida Gators on Friday, check out their schedule and predictions for this matchup. Can FGCU advance to the Elite Eight and continue their success in the tournament?
FGCU has already accomplished plenty if you ask many around college basketball. However, this will not prevent these guys from performing and upsetting another opponent. They already took out a powerhouse in the Georgetown Hoyas and it wasn't even close as they defeated them 78-68.
The Gators are a very tough team as they are tops in scoring, assisting and field goal percentage. FGCU comes out of the Atlantic Sun Conference, they've practically faced nobody. In 2012-2013 they did see the Miami Hurricanes and beat them 63-51. Then they dropped their match against Duke losing 88-67.
All in all, the FGCU Eagles are a strong team. They are ranked 49th averaging 73 points per game, which they have exceeded in the tournament. They are 87th in rebounding averaging almost 37 per game, while ranking 92nd in the nation in assisting averaging 14. They hit 46 percent of their shots for 49th in the nation.
Of course, these rankings are misleading as plenty of great teams in these areas are long gone from the tournament, but they represent how balanced FGCU is, which ultimately gives them a chance to surprise teams.
The Gators might be facing their toughest matchup of the tournament as they have defeated Northwestern and Minnesota by a combined deficit of 44 points. If they slack off, Florida might find themselves in the sewers following this Sweet 16 meeting.
Predictions: It's been a great ride for FGCU. There run has been amazing and it's great watching them play, but the Gators are a force. Would it be surprising if FGCU wins? No, but the odds are truly once again stacked against them.
Watch Florida Gators vs. Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Friday at 9:57 p.m. ET as they will be the last teams in the Sweet 16 to hit the floor. The action comes live from Arlington, Texas.