The University of Central Arkansas Bears men’s basketball team is set to begin its ASUN Conference schedule this week at home in the Farris Center. The Bears, holding a 5-8 overall record, will face Florida Gulf Coast University on Thursday, January 1, and Stetson University on Saturday, January 3. Both games are scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
In the ASUN Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Central Arkansas was predicted to finish eighth in the conference. Florida Gulf Coast was picked fourth and Stetson ninth. Last season, Central Arkansas lost to both teams during regular conference play in Florida but managed to defeat Stetson in the ASUN tournament with a score of 77-72 in Nashville.
Central Arkansas enters conference play after a challenging non-conference schedule that included games against nationally ranked teams such as UNC, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, as well as another Power 4 opponent at SMU. The team’s roster features several young players who have gained experience from these matchups.
Ty Robinson recently achieved his best scoring game of the season with 28 points and also set a personal best with eight rebounds at SMU. He is averaging 13.4 points per game for the season. Cam Hunter leads the team with an average of 16.5 points per game. As a team, Central Arkansas is shooting 43% from the field, 31% from three-point range, and 64% from the free throw line. The Bears have performed strongly at home with a 5-1 record; their only loss came in overtime. In their five home wins, they have won by an average margin of nearly 38 points.
Florida Gulf Coast comes into Thursday’s matchup following an 84-43 win over the University of Fort Lauderdale. During non-conference play, FGCU faced one nationally ranked opponent—Illinois—and lost that contest by a wide margin (113-70). The Eagles posted a non-conference record of 5-3 at home and 1-4 on the road while averaging just over 83 points per game and allowing about 80 points per game defensively. J.R. Koniecsny leads FGCU with averages of 14.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game; Jordan Ellerbee adds another 14.5 points per game; Rahmir Barno contributes both scoring (12.9) and assists (5.2) per game.
Stetson’s most recent outing was a loss to Oklahoma on December 22 by a score of 107-54; they open their ASUN campaign against North Alabama before traveling to Conway for Saturday’s contest against UCA. This season Stetson has gone undefeated at home (4-1) but has yet to win on the road (0-7), averaging just under 70 points scored while giving up over 81 points per game defensively. Jamie Phillips Jr leads Stetson with averages of more than fourteen points and five rebounds per contest; Ethan Copeland provides additional offensive support with nearly thirteen points each game.
Both games this week will be broadcast live on ESPN+, The Bear 91.3 FM, Jack FM at Jack92.7.com or fans can follow live statistics online.
