Gulf Coast Showcase 2014: Teams, Schedule, Bracket and Predictions

The eight-team field at the 2014 Gulf Coast Showcase may not feature the marquee power conference squads that some of the other early-season tournaments do, but you could do worse than scouting some potential NCAA tournament teams in Southwest Florida in late November.

Green Bay, East Carolina, Fresno State, Evansville, Florida Gulf Coast, Marist, San Francisco and Hawaii make up the field and will try to add an impressive tournament win to the resume before conference play begins.

Here is a look at the essential information for this showcase that will take place in Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. A bracket can be found here, courtesy of the event’s official website.

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
Nov. 24	Green Bay vs. East Carolina	12 p.m.
Nov. 24	Fresno State vs. Evansville	2:30 p.m.
Nov. 24	Florida Gulf Coast vs. Marist	6 p.m.
Nov. 24	San Francisco vs. Hawaii	8:30 p.m.
Nov. 25	Game 5 (Consolation Round)	12 p.m.
Nov. 25	Game 6 (Consolation Round)	2:30 p.m.
Nov. 25	Game 7 (Semifinal)	6 p.m.
Nov. 25	Game 8 (Semifinal)	8:30 p.m.
Nov. 26	Game 9 (Seventh Place Game)	12 p.m.
Nov. 26	Game 10 (Fifth Place Game)	2:30 p.m.
Nov. 26	Game 11 (Third Place Game)	6 p.m.
Nov. 26	Game 12 (Championship)	8:30 p.m.

Predictions

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Florida Gulf Coast is the first team name to jump off that list and will certainly be a fan favorite at the event. The Eagles will bring in the local crowds over the holiday week, and head coach Joe Dooley was excited for the opportunity, via bdglobalsports.com:

"

We’re excited to participate in the Gulf Coast Showcase alongside some great teams while challenging ourselves against quality competition. A field of several 20-win teams has been assembled, and we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to compete in three games over three days at a venue just down the road from our campus.

"

Florida Gulf Coast will attract the fans for more than just the proximity of the team, though. The Eagles feature one of the best backcourt combinations of any mid-major team in the country and could reach the NCAA tournament again because of the guards’ production.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Bernard Thompson is a scoring machine on the wing, and Brett Comer is more than ready to set him up with impressive passing. 

ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla took notice of the pair during a win over Ohio, while Zach Miller of the Charlotte Sun pointed out that it was a record performance for both guards:

Florida Gulf Coast is a perfect 3-0 on the season and will reach the finals of this event behind the impressive guards. It loves to push the tempo on both ends of the floor and will overwhelm most of its opponents based on sheer athleticism alone. However, its run will end against Green Bay in the championship contest.

Andy Manis/Associated Press

The Phoenix lost at Wisconsin in one of the nation’s most difficult venues to play in, but they bring a balanced attack to the table that features a strong defense and offense. Ken Pomeroy had the Phoenix as the No. 85 offense and No. 87 defense in the country in his pace-adjusted efficiency rankings (Florida Gulf Coast was No. 106 and No. 162, respectively) as of Sunday.

The Phoenix have a superstar of their own in Keifer Sykes. Sykes scored 22 points and dished out six assists against Illinois-Springfield and then followed that up with a 20-point performance in Madison.

Florida Gulf Coast can score, but it won’t be able to stop the Phoenix in the closing minutes. Sykes is the go-to guy, and if he can impress at Wisconsin, he can certainly put up some big numbers against the Eagles.

Predicted title game: Florida Gulf Coast vs. Green Bay 

Predicted champion: Green Bay

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