The excitement at FGCU is at an all-time high as the women's basketball team prepares for the biggest stage in college basketball—March Madness. From cutting down the nets as ASUN Tournament champions to hearing their name called on Selection Sunday, the Eagles have been riding a wave of momentum.
Now, they’re Oklahoma-bound, ready to take on OU with a chance to make a statement on the national stage.
The atmosphere outside Alico Arena was electric as fans gathered to cheer on the team before their departure. With poms in hand and chants echoing, supporters made sure the Eagles felt the love before boarding the bus.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment. This is what you dream of when you're a little girl,” said FGCU guard Casey Santoro.
Her teammate, Emani Jefferson, agreed. “We’re ready. We want to make some noise in this tournament.”
FGCU’s run to the NCAA Tournament has been fueled by unwavering community support. Athletic Director Colin Hargis called the send-off a reflection of what FGCU basketball means to the area.
“Oh, it’s everything,” Hargis said. “The passion for our student-athletes and the pride this community has for FGCU—it’s incredible.”
With their eyes set on a deep tournament run, the Eagles have been locked in all week, fine-tuning their strategy to take on Oklahoma.
“Every day we’ve been watching film—lots of film, learning how to guard [them]," said FGCU guard Khamari Mitchell-Steen. "They're a lot bigger than us. So we got to learn how to guard them on the post up. So I think it should be good for us.
The matchup also comes with extra motivation. Last year, FGCU’s tournament run was cut short by Oklahoma. Now, they have a shot at redemption.
“It’s kind of like a revenge tour in a way,” Santoro added.
For FGCU, this game is about more than just advancing—it’s about proving themselves on the national stage and it's a chance to show the nation exactly what FGCU basketball is all about. As they tip off in the first round, one thing is clear: The Eagles are ready to soar.
No. 14 FGCU faces No. 3 Oklahoma on Saturday, March 22 at 2:30pm in Norman, OK.
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