FGCU taking “clean slate” into conference play

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida Gulf Coast Men’s Basketball team hit a bit of a rough patch.

FGCU (10-6)  lost four of their last five games. They’ve been plagued by slow starts and turnovers, but the start of Atlantic Sun Conference play on Saturday against Stetson is a chance for FGCU to wipe the slate clean.

“We’re 0-0 right now,” said Senior Guard Bernard Thompson.

“It’s the beginning of a new year for everybody,” said FGCU Head Coach Joe Dooley.

“Once you get to conference play, your goals are trying to win the league and that’s what we’ll do this week.”

To be fair, FGCU’s last stretch of non-conference games was probably the toughest stretch of their entire season. The Eagles played Iona, Pittsburgh, Xavier and UC-Santa Barbara — and all on the road.

“It’s a hard road,” said Dooley.

“Pitt is 200-27 in their building. Xavier has knocked off top-25 teams. Iona is predicted to win their league and Santa Barbara is a projected 14-seed in the tournament.”

Dooley said being back at home is exactly what the team needs right now.

“I think it’s good to be home and get refocused,” said Dooley. “Yesterday’s practice was probably the best practice we had all season.”

According to Thompson, what’s one way to get out of a rut?

Talk to your mom.

“There’s been a lot of mental mistakes,” said Thompson. “I think her words of wisdom help me out.”

Thompson said it’s good to have a little outside perspective when trying to mentally recuperate from a tough stretch of games.

“This is my last year,” said Thompson. “[She told me to] just have fun with it.”

FGCU hopes to start conference play with a win against Stetson on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Alico Arena.

According to FGCU Media Relations, only 230 general admission tickets remain for Saturday’s game.