The Georgia Southern University men’s basketball team plans to be the only bird rising when the Eagles play the Elon University Phoenix tomorrow night at Hanner Fieldhouse in the first conference game of the season.

The Phoenix is coming into the game with a record of 4-2, better than the Eagles who have a record of 2-3. Much like the Eagles at this point in the season, the Phoenix is not a good road team. The Phoenix is 1-2 in away games and 3-0 at home. The Eagles are 1-3 away and 1-0 at home.

Juniors Lucas Troutman and Jack Isenberger lead the Phoenix in scoring this season, each averaging 14.8 points per game. Either Eisenberger or Troutman has led the team in scoring in each of their four wins.

The Eagles are led by junior Eric Ferguson and freshmen Cleon Roberts averaging 14.4 and 11 points per game respectively.

Both teams are coming off a loss, and neither team plans to extend their losing streak.

The Eagles have been plagued by inconsistent play this season.

GSU is averaging 15.4 turnovers per game and only 10.4 assists. The Phoenix is averaging only 10.4 turnovers per game and 14 assists per game.

In order to win, the Eagles must limit their turnovers, get the ball to the open player and knock down open shots. GSU is shooting a slightly better field goal percentage than the Phoenix, 43.7 percent compared to 42.2 percent. The Phoenix is shooting better outside the arc than GSU, with a field goal percentage of 37.4 percent versus 34.5 percent for the Eagles.

During the 2011-2012 season the Eagles managed to beat the Phoenix 69-63, and if they are to get a win this season they will have to develop the chemistry the team has been missing very quickly and play a complete 40 minutes for the first time this season.

In the second home game of the season, GSU plays tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against the Phoenix at Hanner Fieldhouse.