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GAME THREAD: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

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GAME THREAD: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

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What: Denver (17-7, 7-4) vs FAU (9-14, 5-5)

When: Thursday, Feb. 9th @ 7:00 PM EST

Where: FAU Arena

TV: None

Live Video: None

Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Stats: Here

Pioneers Team Site: Here


Probable Starters:


Denver

G Brian Stafford 14.0 ppg
G Brett Olson 7.0 ppg
G Chase Hallam 7.5 ppg
F Rob Lewis 7.6 ppg
F Chris Udofia 14.7 ppg


FAU Unless changes

G Alex Tucker 4.1 ppg
G Shavar Richardson 6.3 ppg
G Greg Gantt 14.6 ppg
F Kelvin Penn 2.8 ppg
F Kore White 7.7 ppg


The series:

The Pioneers enjoy a 4-2 mark in the all-time series.

Last time on the hardwood, the Owls endured a 69-42 drubbing at Magness Arena. Denver was hot from the start and took a 12 point lead into the locker room behind a 57.1% showing from the floor. FAU would get within 10 in the second period, but no closer. Jordan McCoy was the bright spot on the night netting 12 points and five rebounds.


Denver at a Glance:

It's been a while since DU came to The Burrow, and on Thursday it could be the last. With the Pioneers' intent to leave the Sun Belt announced in November 2010, they will soon be off to "greener pastures" in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) beginning in 2012-13.

Team play remains Denver's strength, while employing an interior oriented version of the The Princeton Offense. In this system, the "big man" is tasked with ball distribution off of cuts and screens.

That is why is should come as no surprise that starting power forward Chris Udofia leads the squad in dishes (66) on the season. Unfortunately, that mark is also offset by a unit worst 62 turnovers.

Going to the bench often, nine players are averaging 10 minutes or better in conference action. However, 75.0% of the scoring comes at the hands of the starting five. Capable sixth man Royce O'Neale is contributing another 15.0% of their 67.6 pg total, but it should be called out that if one man goes down or fouls out, trouble could loom on the horizon offensively.

DU was picked by league coaches to finish 4th in the West for 2011-12. Guards Chase Hallam and Brian Stafford received 2nd and 3rd Team considerations respectively. But the squad has exceeded expectations thus far while sitting in 3rd place at present and would be the 4th seed overall if the tournament were to take place now.

Statistically speaking, the Pioneers are producing big time in the Sun Belt:

Defense 1st (61.0 ppg)
Margin 2nd (+6.7 ppg)
FT % 1st (78.2%)
FG % 2nd (48.3%)
3 PT FG % 1st (39.7%)
3 PT PG 2nd (8.1)
Assists 1st (15.7 pg)
Turnover Margin 2nd (+2.29)

That's quite a mouthful for a fourth place team.

If there is any weakness to be observed it is off the glass, where they come in last in both offensive (6.3 pg) and defensive (19.7 pg) grabs.

The Pioneers enter Thursday's tilt fresh off an impressive 75-60 romp past league leader Middle Tennessee before a nationally televised audience on ESPN2. Udofia's 27 point and nine rebound performance against the Blue Raiders enabled him to his second Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week nod in the process.


FAU at a Glance:

In "live by the three or die by the three" fashion, Florida Atlantic suffered an embarrassing night last Saturday with a 76-56 loss to southern rival Florida International. The setback dropped the Owls to .500 in league play and now has them needing wins badly to make it back into contention for a first day bye at the 2011-12 Sun Belt Conference Tournament. It won't come easy given the next four teams on the slate: Denver, UNT, @WKU, and @ MTSU.

Since FAU has always had a tough time with the Pioneers, not to mention the two hour timezone change observed when playing them the road, sure there won't be any hard feelings with their departure from the league - particularly from Coach Mike Jarvis, who has made it known publicly that he "hates to play them."

"It would be nice to beat them the last time in Boca, because I'm not going to play them anymore in Boca after this season and there's no way I'm traveling out to Denver again", Jarvis said. "This will definitely be the last time you see one of my teams play them unless it is in the tournament."

The Owls traditionally don't shoot it that much from downtown against the Pioneers in the Jarvis era (11.5 pg), with an 11-of-46 (23.9%) showing overall during those four contests. But he says he won't change the shot selection process to accommodate that result, resting on the fact that the team has simply not shot the ball well as of late regardless of selection.

"What I will ask them to do is make them, you can't pass up good shots for the sake of another shot", said Jarvis. "The problem is our guys aren't making open shots. Our best guys are not shooting the ball well."

Since his insertion into the starting lineup, Shavar Richardson continues to produce. The Senior notched his third straight double-digit effort in last Saturday's contest against FIU. But changes could be coming for the starting five once again on Thursday.

"I'm going to make changes until I get the right formula", said Jarvis. "We played with a lot of different line-ups today. I'm going to sleep on it tonight, and then see how the guys perform in the morning."

Updates on history in the making:

•  Alex Tucker is three assists shy of Florida Atlantic's record.

•  Greg Gantt needs just two treys to take second place in three pointers made.

•  Ray Taylor is 24 points away from the 1,000 club.

Florida Atlantic's two bright spots in the numbers category at present are Assist to Turnover Ratio 1.1:1 (2nd SBC) and 3PT FG Per Game (6.7, 3rd). Other than that, they land about where they should as a .500 unit - in the middle of the pack or thereabouts.


Latest Line:

DU -1


Owl's Nest Prediction

The average margin of defeat for Florida Atlantic against Denver under Jarvis is exactly 16 points, with all three losses coming at Magness Arena. The lone win was by six points at FAU Arena.

Home or away, this is the best Pioneer team that the Owls will have faced. And it is going to take a very solid defensive effort to keep them below their typical point production.

FAU should have a decent showing in rebounds, and that could lead to some fast break opportunities.

But the big question is will they return to shooting the ball above 40%?

Unless they do, the hole gets deeper for a bye on day one in Hot Springs.

DU -5+
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Man, i normally love a home dog in cbb but these Owls have me shook up!
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

We get to see their vaunted Princeton Offense up close tonight.   It always amazes how in this offense, there's always guy who suddenly gets open under the net for an easy lay up and you scratch your head and say, "How'd that happen".

FAU Class of '87
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

I hate Denver simply because you'll fall asleep watching them play. You just want to stand up and scream SHOOT THE DAMN BALL ALREADY! They remind me of the Baltimore Ravens. I feel the same way about them, they're just so damn boring

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Jab979 said

I hate Denver simply because you'll fall asleep watching them play. You just want to stand up and scream SHOOT THE DAMN BALL ALREADY! They remind me of the Baltimore Ravens. I feel the same way about them, they're just so damn boring

They put the defense to sleep then score.

FAU Class of '87
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Line has swung to FAU -1.5

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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Everyone else loves a home dog in college basketball too :)
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Want no part of that!

No way, no how!


How much did you drop Team?
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Rick said

Want no part of that!

No way, no how!


How much did you drop Team?

Haha, yea after missing last games line by over 30 points….I think I'll keep my cash.  I will take the over/under on K.White with 4.5 points and 1/2 a hustle play tonight if anybody wants some action.

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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Re: Game Preview: Denver vs FAU - 02/09/12 @ 7:00PM

Rick said

Want no part of that!

No way, no how!


How much did you drop Team?

As stated above, they've got me shook up, I just can't do it. Right now, they are so unpredictable I don't know what to expect. I'd rather take $100 and flip a quarter with Walty than bet on this game :)
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