Over the last decade, FGCU’s women’s basketball team has been one of the most dominant athletic programs the college has to offer. Head Coach Karl Smesko looks to lead his team to an eighth consecutive ASUN Conference title, which would mark its 12th title in program history.
Before the Eagles can repeat its success from last season, there are holes in the offense that need to be addressed. Two major losses for the team were the departures of shooter Sofia Persson and forward Uju Ezeudu who ran out of NCAA eligibility.
To fill these holes, Smesko acquired numerous transfers over the offseason.
Senior Skyler Gill, a transfer from the University of Kansas, is eyed to fill the role that Ezeudu left behind. While her time with the Jayhawks was nothing of note, she played with the University of North Alabama Lions from 2021-2023 where she averaged 10 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. She looks to translate that success to the green and blue.
“We have some good transfers, even though they don’t have experience playing for FGCU,” Smesko said. “They have a lot of college games under their belt where they’ve been really successful, and so they have a higher level of confidence coming in.”
The return of shooters Maddie Antenucci and Casey Santoro will fill the void of Perrson’s departure. Both suffered season-ending injuries early last season and were the difference maker in postseason play as the team lacked depth around the three-point line.
Santoro enters this season with a chip on her shoulder. After transferring to FGCU last year, she got injured three games in, putting a close on her 2023-24 season. Through those games, she averaged 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. These stats are only set to improve with a full slate ahead.
“I’m extremely excited,” Santoro said. “I got a little bit of a taste of what it’s like to be an eagle for three games last year, so I can’t wait to play a full season with these girls.”
While Smesko’s squad has accomplished everything a program can at the conference level, they have yet to advance deeper than the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles have four appearances in the round and have lost each game by double digits.
“I think we have the talent and the mindset to become a really good team,” Smesko said. “We have high aspirations and high goals every year. I mean, we want to get back to an NCAA tournament and want to go as far as we can in the NCAA Tournament.”
To prepare for the postseason, the Eagles have scheduled several experienced non-conference opponents.
FGCU starts its season with back-to-back games on the road at Davidson College and Columbia University, both teams with NCAA Tournament experience. However, the Eagles’ true test will come in the inaugural Atlantic Slam Tournament in Charlottetown, PEI, Canada on Nov. 22-24.
Over two days FGCU will compete against the Big East’s Georgetown University and the Big 12’s University of Cincinnati. These programs are the only power opponents the Eagles will face this season and will be a true testament if they can compete in postseason play.
“It’s hard for us to get games against power opponents,” Smesko said. “They really try to avoid playing us as much as they can. So for us to get an opportunity, we’re willing to go just about anywhere, and we’re looking forward to being part of this tournament.”
As for conference play, it’s business as usual. The Eagles’ last conference loss was against Liberty University on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, who has since moved to the Conference-USA.
Their main adversary in the conference is the 2024 ASUN Conference Championship runner-ups, the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears, as they brought back the majority of their roster from last season. FGCU will go on the road for the 2024 ASUN Conference Championship rematch on Thursday, Feb. 20.
“It’s gonna be similar to what [fans] always see, a team that plays really hard, plays together, plays smart and we’re going to play that same style,” Smesko said.
All eyes are on another postseason appearance for the Eagles. Fans can watch the defending ASUN Conference Champions at Alico Arena on Sunday, Nov. 17, where they will take on former ASUN Conference member, the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders.
