The RoundHouse | 12/22/2017 3:03:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Records: Florida Gulf Coast 7-6, Wichita State 9-2
Listen: KEYN 103.7 FM/goshockers.com
Watch: CBS Sports Network
 
Florida Gulf Coast grabbed the spotlight in the 2013 NCAA Tournament with wins over Georgetown and San Diego State, as a No. 15 seed.
 
They branded themselves as "Dunk City" under former coach Andy Enfield (now at Southern California). Former Kansas assistant Joe Dooley kept the team rolling with four 20-win seasons and NCAA appearances in 2016 and 2017.
 
The current Eagles play fast and the addition of forward Michael Gilmore, a transfer from VCU, adds to their athletic ability. Gilmore (6-foot-10) played two games after becoming eligible. He is the nephew of former ABA and NBA star Artis Gilmore.
 
"He's probably the most athletic guy on the court," Wichita State assistant coach Isaac Brown said. "They really push it hard in transition. They've got three really, really good guards."
 
Gilmore played two seasons at VCU and transferred to Miami. He left Miami without playing to transfer to Florida Gulf Coast. He started both games since becoming eligible and averaged six points and four rebounds.
 
FGCU guard Brandon Goodwin averages 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He has taken more three-pointers (64) than any teammate and is shooting 26.6 percent from behind the arch. He is a threat to drive and draw fouls. His 94 foul shots are almost twice as much as any Shocker.
 
Florida Gulf Coast is struggling on defense. Opponents scored 78 or more points in four of the past five games, twice passing 90. Florida International, which averages 73 points a game, reached a season high in a 91-88 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday.
 
Part of the problem is fouling – the Eagles are outscored by 32 points at the foul line in their six losses. Turnovers are also an issue. FGCU ends a possession with a turnover 20.4 percent of the time, ranking No. 243 nationally according to Ken Pomeroy's statistics.

There is plenty of room for Shocker guard Samajae Haynes-Jones to earn minutes because as he figures out how to best use his quickness to defend and drive the ball into the lane.

"He brings something that nobody else on our team has," Brown said. "He just has another gear. He's able to push the ball in transition, he's able to create a lot of help situations and get guys wide open shots. I think he will be a really good defender once he learns the system like he should and be able to push back. With his quickness, he should be able to guard anybody on the floor."
 
Wichita State forward Markis McDuffie will play for the first time this season after rehabbing a stress fracture in his left foot. He will be limited to 5-10 minutes.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.