FAU (4-7) @ UAB (7-3)
Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
8:00 p.m. ET

The Series

This will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.  FAU and UAB both played in Tucson , AZ earlier this season in the first round bracket of the preseason NIT, but did not face each other.


FAU at a Glance

The Owls (4-7) have dropped 6 of 7 after beginning the season 3-1. FAU head coach Mike Jarvis inherited a team what went 15-18 overall last season and 8-10 in the Sun Belt Conference. FAU held second-half leads in its first to Sun Belt games last week, losses at Denver (66-55) and at Troy (94-87), and have begun its conference season 0-2. Monday's game at UAB is part of a difficult non-conference schedule for FAU. The Owls have lost at Arizona (75-62) and at No. 24 Davidson (76-60) and will play both Kentucky and Miami on the road in the coming two weeks. FAU has welcomed back three-time all-conference forward Carlos Monroe - 16.5 points per game since returning to the lineup last week. Expect Monroe and senior classmate Paul Graham III (15.9 ppg) to pace the Owls offensively Monday night. Sophomore F/C Brett Royster is among the NCAA leaders in blocks per game (2.1) and freshman guard Alex Tucker has emerged as one of the team's top young players, distributing over four assists per night.


UAB at a Glance

Third-year head coach Mike Davis and the Blazers (7-3) return four starters from a team that went 23-11 in 2007-08. Guard/forward Robert Vaden is averaging 20.1 points per game and has been widely recognized as one of the nation's top players. The 6-foot-5 senior is projected to be the C-USA Player of the Year. UAB takes care of the ball extremely well, ranking No. 3 in the NCAA in committing just 10.4 turnovers per game. The Blazers also shoot 73% as a team from the free throw line. Their only losses of the season have come at Cincinnati (87-80) and against No. 4 Oklahoma (77-67) and Boston College (83-77) in the finals of the preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden .


Media Coverage

Ken LaVicka will call Tuesday's game. Live scoring via GAMETRACKER is also available at FAUSPORTS.com .


Owl's Nest Prediction

We've been burnt twice in a row having watched our guys toss games when they had a second half lead.  This team can't buy win on the road as of late.  UAB will not offer the cushion that UD and Troy did; as they are a solid squad all around and have formidable inside and outside attacks.  FAU will have to control the turnover battle, and have a very solid night of shooting to pull of the win.  Just can't see that happening against this squad.

UAB - 9


Sources:  FAU Media Relations, cbssportsline.com