Gulf Coast Showcase Preview: A look at the eight-team field

It’s Thanksgiving Week, which in basketball terms means holiday hoops tournaments. Teams across the country are headed to play in various tournaments, while the Iowa women’s basketball team is set to compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. The rest of the eight-team field includes, Kansas State, North Carolina, Western Kentucky, Florida Gulf Coast, Delaware and Purdue-Fort Wayne.

“The Clean Simple Eats Gulf Coast Showcase continues to support the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida,” said the tournament press release. “The hospital is the only children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami and provides vital health care for the region’s sick and injured children and their families. The hospital’s facility provides 300,000 square feet of space, 128 pediatric and NICU beds, a 17-bay emergency department, a freestanding pediatric pharmacy and in-hospital school classroom.”

🌴 WOMEN'S ANNOUNCEMENT🌴

Pairings for the @cleansimpleeats Gulf Coast Showcase on Nov 24-26 at @HertzArena_:

☀️ @KStateWBB vs @LadyTopperHoops – 11am
☀️ @uncwbb vs @UVMwbb – 1:30
☀️ @FGCU_WBB vs @DelawareWBB – 5
☀️ @IowaWBB vs @MastodonWBB – 7:30

📎: https://t.co/D43aAoAGnh pic.twitter.com/AFQ23cGMuH

— Gulf Coast Showcase (@GCShowcase) August 3, 2023

Delaware Blue Hens (1-1)

The Blue Hens come into the tournament with a win over Longwood and a loss to Lehigh, so not a whole lot to discuss. Delaware went 16-14 last season and return their top scorer, center Klarke Sconiers. She was a Third Team All-CAA selection last year and is coming off a 33 point, 10 rebound performance against Lehigh. FDU transfer forward Chloe Wilson has been good early with back-to-back 18 point games, including 12 rebounds against Longwood.

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (3-1)

The designated host school for the tournament, FGCU has wins over Brown, FIU and Kentucky, while their lone loss is to #8 USC. The Eagles have five new starters this season, but forward Uju Ezeudu has been outstanding averaging 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game after starting just two games last year. Guard Maddie Antenucci scored 19 points and hit three threes in the loss to USC. As a team, FGCU ranks 4th in three-point attempt rate at 48.9%, but ranks just 232nd in three-point percentage. The Eagles have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last six years that the tournament has been held.

#5 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1)

The Hawkeyes are one of three ranked teams in the field and the only top ten team. They have wins over FDU, #9 Virginia Tech, Northern Iowa and Drake, while the lost to #16 Kansas State, who is also in the tournament field. Caitlin Clark is averaging 31.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, while four players overall are averaging in double figures. Iowa ranks 4th in the country with a 62.1% two-point percentage.

#16 Kansas State Wildcats (4-0)

One of two teams in the tournament with an undefeated record, KSU has wins over Presbyterian, Little Rock, #5 Iowa and Wisconsin to start the year. The Wildcats are enjoying the return of All-American center Ayoka Lee, as she is averaging 22.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Their defense has been stout as well, ranking 7th in PPG and 20th in FG%, including holding Iowa to just 58 points.

#18 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-0)

The Tar Heels have had a pretty easy slate to start the year, picking up wins over Gardner-Webb, Davidson, Hampton and Elon. First Team All-ACC guard Deja Kelly was named the 24th best player in WBB by ESPN and is averaging 14.3 PPG so far. Three other Tar Heels are averaging in double figures, including ISU transfer G Lexi Donarski, BC transfer C Maria Gakdeng and All-ACC G Ashley Ustby. The UNC defense is ranked 8th in PPG and 16th in turnovers forced. Offensively, they are tied for fourth in fewest turnovers per game.

Purdue-Fort Wayne (2-1)

Purdue-Fort Wayne, the Hawkeyes opening round opponent, comes into the weekend with a 2-1 record, including wins over Great Lakes Christian and Southern Illinois. Their loss was against Michigan in the season opener. The Mastadons return all five starters from last season, including Shayla Sellers who is averaging 14.3 points per game. Nine players are currently averaged 10 minutes or more per game. They are currently 298th in three-point attempt rate.

Vermont Catamounts (3-1)

An NCAA Tournament participant last year, Vermont is 3-1 to start this season with wins over Miami OH, Quinnipiac and Saint Rose, while their loss came against Providence. Guard Emma Utterback and forward Anna Olson are averaging 15.8 and 13.3 points per game, respectively after earning First Team All-America East honors last season.

Western Kentucky Lady Toppers(5-1)

Maybe an underrated team in this field, WKU is off to a 5-1 start, including wins over Mercer, Southern Utah, Cornell, Miami OH and Bucknell. Their lone loss was a three point defeat at Vanderbilt. Former Iowa recruit Acacia Hayes leads the Lady Toppers averaging 15.2 points per game, while guards Teresa Faustino and Alexis Mead are averaging in double figures. WKU is 16th in three-point attempt rate and 7th in steal rate.

The Iowa Women’s Basketball team will open the tournament against Purdue-Fort Wayne on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30pm CT. All games at the tournament will be streamed on FloHoops.