Men’s Basketball Kicks Off Season Against New College of Florida

Bassyonni

ago 7 hours

Men’s Basketball Kicks Off Season Against New College of Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University’s men’s basketball team is set to kick off their 2025-26 season with a game against New College of Florida. This match will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 3, marking a significant moment for the Eagles.

Coaching Leadership

Head coach Pat Chambers begins his fourth season after securing a contract extension that will keep him with the team until 2029. Chambers is celebrated for his impressive 2025 recruiting class, which is recognized as one of the best in the program’s history.

Team Roster Highlights

The Eagles will return seven players from the previous season, with key contributions expected from:

Michael Duax – A redshirt senior forward who started 25 games last season, he is the team’s returning statistical leader.
Rahmir Barno – A junior guard aiming for a stronger season after battling injuries last spring.

New additions include:

JR Konieczny – Graduate forward transferring from Notre Dame.
George Washington III – Junior guard transferring from Richmond.
Isaiah Malone – A junior forward from LaGrange, Indiana.

Home Opening Details

This season opener is particularly special as it marks only the fifth home opener in the program’s history. It is also the first home season start for Pat Chambers since the 2021-22 season. Under his leadership, FGCU holds a 2-1 record in home openers and a 1-2 record in overall season openers.

Historical Context

FGCU’s record in season openers stands at 6-12, while their home opener record is significantly stronger at 14-4. Moreover, the Eagles have maintained a perfect 4-0 record when starting their season at Alico Arena. The game on November 3 is set to be the earliest season opener in FGCU’s history, surpassing last year’s by a day.

Game Day Experience Enhancements

Attendees at Alico Arena can expect several enhancements aimed at improving the overall viewing experience. These include:

New integrated light-show effects
Spotlights and fog machines for game introductions
Aesthetic updates in lobby and suite areas

Moreover, concessions have been upgraded to include local selections from Riptide Brewery, enhancing the game-day atmosphere for fans.

Stay Connected

For further information about FGCU men’s basketball, fans can follow the team on social media @FGCU_MBB on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook, or visit El-Balad for updates.