FAU (4-3) @ UL (2-4)

When: Saturday, Dec. 12th 2:07 PM EST

Where: Lafayette, La. - Cajundome

TV: College Sports Southeast (CSS) Comcast Cable 32 Locally

ESPN 760 Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Video: ESPN360

Live Stats: Here (if available)

 ULTeam Site: Here


Probable Starters:

FAU

G Ray Taylor 16.6 ppg
G Greg Gantt 14.3 ppg
F Jordan McCoy 5.6 ppg
F Brett Royster 11.3 ppg
C DeMonte Simpson 7.6 ppg

UL

G Randell Daigle 11.7 ppg
G Ryan McCoy 5.7 ppg
F Tyren Johnson 15.3 ppg
F Lamar Roberson 6.8 ppg
C Javan Mitchell 3.5 ppg



The Series

Although a brief one, FAU leads the all-time series 2-1. The Owls won last year's contest 63-47 in Boca Raton.  FAU held the Cajuns to just 5.3% from long range.

Game Discussion

The host team has won every game so far in the series.


FAU at a Glance

The Owls will be in search of their first conference opening win since knocking off Troy 91-86 back on December 13, 2006.  It was FAU's first year as a member of the Sun Belt.

The Owls needed a 3OT performance to take care of Warner on Thursday at FAU Arena.  Brett Royster set three career highs in the contest with 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks.

Greg Gantt was relatively quiet on the night going only 5 of 14 from the floor but did contribute 47 minutes in the win.

FAU is enjoying some face time in rankings on a national scale.

Ray Taylor is tied for fourth nationally in assists with 6.6 dishes per game, while Brett Royster is tied for seventh in blocked shots.

Head coach Mike Jarvis is pleased with his team's progress heading into league play this year when compared to last season:

"We weren't very good last year.  I like the way that we're progressing, the way that a lot of the guys are playing, and working together.  All the things that are going well are things that we can build on", said Jarvis.


UL at a Glance

The Cajuns have discovered an offensive force in Tyren Johnson who is averaging 15.3 ppg.  This is somewhat surprising since Lamar Roberson, a UNLV transfer, was expected to be a go-to player for Louisiana-Lafayette.

But Roberson did have some off-the-court trouble soon after becoming eligible which may be contributing to his insertion and the confidence level from the coaching staff.

UL returns to the court after a full week off.  The Cajuns met against Sam Houston State last Saturday and emerged with a 95-85 win.

Tyren Johnson scored a career-high 31 points.


Latest Line:

UL -10.5


Owl's Nest Prediction

Not sure what is going on out on Las Vegas. They likely think that the Owls will have no legs left after the thrilling 3OT win against Warner just 40 hours previously - one that required almost an additional half of play to pull off.  Regardless, not on board with -10.5 or the initial line of -13.

However, FAU has some things to answer:  Shooting consistency, and how to get offensive production out of the bigs aside from clean-up work.

Jarvis obviously laid off the white board against Warner but will likely tip his hand ever so slightly introducing new sets he has been withholding until the time was right. And, since Saturday's contest is a conference game, the time is now.

This game should be closer than the line. Hate to pick against FAU, but need to see more game control and two successful halves of action before a Sun Belt road game gets the nod.

UL -4

I don't get CSS (DirecTV) I'm guessing ESPN360 will black this game out?

I don't get 360, so not sure…

Starters:

FAU

G Ray Taylor
G Greg Gantt
F Sanchez Hughley
F Jordan McCoy
C DeMonte Simpson

UL

G Randell Daigle
G Ryan McCoy
F Tyren Johnson
F Lamar Roberson
C Javan Mitchell

Quick start on both ends!

10-7 Owls at the first media stop…

Looks like a small crowd on hand...maybe 200...

Still tight…but UL takes the lead 16-13 at the second stop…

4-0 run by Owls close gap to 24-20. UL still on top.

Jeeze, they are just making everything from behind the arc.

Travis Bureau is a one man wrecking machine this period for UL…

5 of 8 shooting for 15 points…

36-28 UL

3:57 to play in the first