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GAME THREAD: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

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GAME THREAD: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM




What: Florida Atlantic (9-12, 5-3) vs South Alabama (11-9, 3-6)

When: Thursday, Feb. 2nd @ 8:05 PM EST

Where: Mitchell Center

TV: None

Live Video: Jaguar Showcase (PPV)

Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Stats: Here

Jaguars Team Site: Here


Probable Starters:

FAU

G Alex Tucker 4.1 ppg
G Shavar Richardson 5.8 ppg
G Greg Gantt 14.3 ppg
F Kelvin Penn 2.7 ppg
F Kore White 8.0 ppg


USA

G Freddie Goldstein 10.4 ppg
G Trey Anderson 5.3 ppg
G Mychal Ammons 7.5 ppg
F Javier Carter 6.7 ppg
F Augustine Rubit 14.7 ppg


The Series

South Alabama enjoys a 7-4 all-time mark against the Owls, but Florida Atlantic has won three of the squad's last four meetings:

01/06/07  A  L 76-101
02/21/07  H  W 79-69
01/02/08  H  L 55-66
02/16/08  A  L 74-91
01/01/09  H  L 69-74
02/14/09  A  L 70-91
01/02/10  H  L (OT) 93-96
01/28/10  A W 70-59
03/06/10  N  L 51-52
01/06/11  H  W 65-57
02/27/11  A  W 74-64

Most recently, FAU shot 47.7% from the floor and never trailed en route to a 74-64 win in Mobile. The Owls' bench outperformed the Jags' 27-6 for the night, as Florida Atlantic dished the rock 15 times to just six for USA. Greg Gantt (14), Brett Royster (13) and Alex Tucker (12) were all in double figures.


Owls at a Glance

FAU put the finishing touches on a three game win streak in a come from behind 67-66 victory over Western Kentucky last Thursday. Shavar Richardson exploded for a season high 25 points in the affair. Seeing his minutes come in somewhat erratic fashion until heading into conference action, the senior had been struggling to find his range.

But a career high 10 field goals including a 7-of-8 performance inside the 3PT line during 33 minutes against the Hilltoppers has coach Mike Jarvis sticking to his guns for a change regarding the line-up.

"That's what he does best, and it's also when we're at our best", said Jarvis. "Unless he gets injured I'm not going to take him out of the starting lineup."

With no Saturday contest on tap Florida Atlantic received some much needed time off aside from practice; which gave the team more time to work on a newly employed offensive scheme.

"Guys are getting much more comfortable with what we're doing (offensively), and with each other. I'm happy where we're at", Jarvis said.

South Alabama C/F Augustine Rubit posted averages of 13.5 points and 11 rebounds against the Owls in the team's two meetings for 2011-12. Some of that can be attributed to the system the Jaguars run and some can be attributed to talent as well. However, the Owls won't look to show him any special attention on Thursday unless needed.

"If they are going to be successful then he's got to have great nights. I hope we can play him head up. Penn will be on him to start out and we'll have different guys on him. Hopefully we won't have to double him much", Jarvis said. "The biggest thing is to make sure other guys don't have career nights."

The Owls set a season high in blocks with eight against WKU and are now 6-0 when posting a 46.3% or better showing from the floor.

Greg Gantt's 14.3 ppg ranks 3rd in the Sun Belt in scoring.


Jaguars at a Glance

With three juniors in the starting rotation, South Alabama offers a bit of seasoned playing experience. But it is sophomore forward Rubit who continues to be the main factor for South Alabama.

Although a bit undersized for a front court anchor at 6'-6", Rubit packs a wallop in his approach. He is currently leading the Sun Belt in rebounds (9.0 pg) while occupying 2nd in scoring (14.7 ppg). And he's not alone, as accomplice Javier Carter is pacing all conference front court players in blocks (3.0 pg) and makes up the second of four South Alabama players who appear on the league's top 20 grab's listing.

In the back court, newcomer Mychal Ammons is pitching in a respectable 7.5 ppg. Junior guard Freddie Goldstein posted a solid 30 point performance against Troy back on January 14th, but has since cooled to the tune of 17.1% percent from the floor therafter.

South Alabama is 6-5 on the season at the Mitchell Center but, but has won just one of their last five outings there. That happened last Saturday in a 68-66 win over Troy.

Knowing where their strength lies, USA has taken a league low 275 attempts from downtown and sits 10th amongst Sun Belt squads in percentage (31.3%).


Latest Line:

FAU -3


Owl's Nest Prediction

The line opened at -1.5 for FAU before quickly moving to -3.

The Jaguars have advantages in Offensive Rebounding (+11.1%), Free Throw Rate (+9.4%), and Turnover Percentage (+6.6%). However, FAU does take FG Percentage (+3.1%) and Assists PG (+2.3). This comes down to one thing - another close contest.

Florida Atlantic is technically 4-8, and realistically 5-10 on the season away from Boca Raton.

Regardless, like the road warriors in this one.

FAU -2
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

Interesting that tuck gets the nod over Ray Ray for the 2nd straight game. Is this part of a new offensive plan, bring Taylor in off the bench? I thought he was supposed to be the team leader?

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

Jarvis said he likes him off the bench and is not going to change the lineup...
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

Rick - Just Curious, do you know what your recoerd is year to date on your picks?  My guess is it seems to be pretty good.

GO OWLS!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

Tucker is a good player to have on the floor…he is fearless, hustles and brings a tough attitude to our team.  We need to inject some Tucker blood into C. White.

Interested to see if Shavar can continue his play…

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

walty12 said

Tucker is a good player to have on the floor…he is fearless, hustles and brings a tough attitude to our team.  We need to inject some Tucker blood into C. White.

Interested to see if Shavar can continue his play…

Problem with Tuck is it takes something to pump him up. Last game vs. WKU it happened when he shoulder checked the guy trying to go after a loose ball. Once he gets pissed off he's got this attitude to him, it's awesome.

If Shavar is on fire again today, we're not losing this game. Kore somewhat stepped up vs. WKU as well, if he can get under the basket and grab some boards and we make out F/T's we win this game

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

dusky256fc said

Rick - Just Curious, do you know what your recoerd is year to date on your picks?  My guess is it seems to be pretty good.

No, but that is an interesting question…will check it out…
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

kore better play tonight...like a man i mean

It's Owl Time!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

walty12 said

Tucker is a good player to have on the floor…he is fearless, hustles and brings a tough attitude to our team.  We need to inject some Tucker blood into C. White.

Interested to see if Shavar can continue his play…


Yeah, who could forget his career game vs. USF last year, and that play vs. FIU at home last year.  Get something in him, and he's ready to go!  I'd like to see Shavar step up as one of the day in go-to guys on this squad.  He saved us against FIU last year, and played great against WKU, but what other games did he really show up in.  I would also like to see Grier and Pablo get more time again, they've proven that they can single handedly create chances and capitalize on them.
As much as we all love to bash Kore, I really am proud that he stepped it up a bit last game.  Our big men are really making an impact right now, and it's no coincidence that we are on a bit of a hot streak either.  Speaking of the big guys, I live in the same residence hall as Penn, and congratulated and thanked him for that block last Thursday.  He's a very nice young gentlemen who has a bright future here.
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ South Alabama - 02/02/12 @ 8:05PM

Starters:

FAU

G Alex Tucker
G Shavar Richardson
G Greg Gantt
F Jordan McCoy
F Kelvin Penn


USA

G Freddie Goldstein
G Mychal Ammons
G Trey Anderson
F Augustine Rubit
C Antoine Lundy
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