If you answered yes, then you enjoy winning, setting lots of records, excitement and women’s basketball. What you might now know is we have all of that and more less than two miles north of Grandezza. I’m talking about FGCU Women’s Basketball. Let me begin with ten reasons why all of this is true.
1. FGCU is the winningest team in Division I women’s basketball history with an 84.7% record. (549-101) UConn is 2nd at 79.9, followed by Tennessee at 79.8 and Stanford at 77.3.
2. FGCU has led the nation in made 3-pointers in each of the last four seasons. They hold the record for made 3’s in a single season with 431 in the 2017-18 season. They have made at least 300 in a season 14 times, including each of the last 13 seasons.
3. Entering the 24-25 season, FGCU has produced 8 seasons of at least 10 3-point field goals made per game, which is the most in the nation among the 21 teams to achieve it at least once.
4. In the 2013-14 season, FGCU joined Sacramento State as the 1st two teams to attempt 1,000 3-pointers in a season.
5. Since 1988, there have been just 37 instances of an NCAA Division I team making at least 20 3-point field goals in a game, and our FGCU Eagles own 8 of those.
6. Over the past 12 years, the Eagles have finished among the nation’s top five in made 3-point goals every year, including five 1st place finishes.
7. Under coach Karl Smesko, an Oakwood resident for 21 years, our women have recorded 14 straight 25-win seasons only achieved by UConn and FGCU. They have 20 straight 20-win seasons and 3 30-win seasons in the last 5 years.
8. With only 13 seasons of NCAA Division I tournament eligibility, they have qualified every year and have 4 1st round wins and have been the winningest 12th seed in NCAA tournament history.
9. They have finished in the Division I top 25 rankings in 5 out of the last 6 years.
10. What makes all of this possible is Coach Karl Smesko!! His overall coaching record is 672-136 or 83.2%. At his young age, this makes him the 3rd winningest coach in division I behind Gino Auriemma 209-261 (88.2%) and Kim Mulkey 720-117 (86%). His players love and respect him as evidenced by the fact they don’t ever transfer once they’ve played for “The Coach”. Many of his former players have played professionally in the US and Europe and several are coaching throughout the country. Karl has been recruited by Illinois, Indiana, Oregon and USC and likely others, but so far we have no reason to believe he wants to leave.
So what’s ahead for this season? For sure, more of the same which is why I encourage you and your friends to join the fun at Alico Arena and ESPN+ for road games. Let’s start with the 8 returning players, 4 of them starters last year.
• Casey Santoro was a high scoring guard for the first few games until she injured her foot and was unable to play the rest of the season. She is back in full form and ready to go.
• Maddie Antenucci was another casualty to a leg injury for the 2nd half of the season. Maddie is also fully recovered and ready to lead the team in so many ways.
• Emani Jefferson was all everything last season. Clearly one of the most exciting guards we have ever had and ready to resume her winning ways.
• Dolly Cairns is a 3-point sharpshooter who should have another great season rotating in and out at the guard spot.
• Cerina Rolle and Maca Retamales had a fair amount of playing time and will be more ready than ever to vie for more time. Jordan Campbell did not play much but could also be much improved. Emani Theodule was a red shirt, so we’ll wait and see on her. The 7 new recruits look awesome on paper and are already fighting for playing time to prove it.
• Skyler Gill 5′ 10″ transfer from Kansas is a versatile player who can score, rebound and block shots.
• Anna Mortag 6′ 1″ transfer from Butler shoots 44% from 3. Say no more!!
• Khamari Mitchel-Steen transferred from N. Ky. Loves to attack the rim and is an elite defensive player who usually defends the opponents best player.
• Lauryn Taylor 5′ 11″ transfer from Francis Marion is a great rebounder and shoots 33% from 3.
• Alahna Paige transfer from Daemen is a 3-point sharpshooter—40% from 3.
• Karina Gordon 5′ 9″ transfer from E. Carolina and shoots 31% from 3.
• Kaelyn Flowers 5′ 6″ Fr. All state in Tenn.
The Eagles are again favored to win the Atlantic Sun Conference and can almost guarantee another season full of winning, records, excitement and downright fun.
Whether you’re a Caitlyn Clark fan or not, circling back to her winning, records, excitement and Women’s Basketball, I hope you agree, we have a ton of it right up the road. By the way, several of us in Grandezza sit in section S behind the FGCU bench. Join us and you will soon be Hooked!
