Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Record: 20-13 (8-6 Atlantic Sun)
Head Coach: Joe Dooley (3rd season)
Season Recap: After defeating Stetson 80-78 in the Atlantic Sun tournament final, the Eagles are returning to the Big Dance for the first time since making an improbable run to the Sweet Sixteen three years ago. Florida Gulf Coast is a good rebounding team and has the bodies to compete with anyone on the boards in the NCAA tournament.
Redshirt junior forward Marc-Eddy Norelia paces the team with an average 17.2 points per game and also leads the group on the boards, corralling an average of 9.2 rebounds per game. Florida Gulf Coast played a relatively weak schedule throughout the regular season—a 10-point loss to then-No. 18 Texas A&M in December was its only contest against a ranked opponent—but enters the tournament riding a three-game win streak after claiming the conference title and is ready to make an impact.
How they make a run: The Eagles find their way to the rim and resurrect the Dunk City moniker from 2013 that they made famous.
How they falter: Florida Gulf Coast has ACC champion North Carolina waiting for it in the Round of 64, but cannot get past Fairleigh Dickinson in the play-in game and does not get a shot at upsetting the Tar Heels.
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