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GAME THREAD: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

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What: Florida Atlantic (3-4) vs Kansas (3-2)

When: Wednesday, Nov. 30th @ 8:00 PM EST

Where: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: ESPN3.com, Jayhawk TV (KS local)

Live Video: None

Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Stats: Here

Kansas Team Site: Here


Probable Starters:

FAU

G Ray Taylor 7.0 ppg, 5.1 apg
G Shavar Richardson 5.6 ppg
G Pablo Bertone 10.0 ppg, 51.9% FG
F Kelvin Penn 2.1 ppg, 2.4 bpg
F Kore White 10.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg


KU

G Tyshawn Taylor 16.0 ppg
G Elijah Johnson 11.6 ppg
F Travis Releford 8.0 ppg
F Thomas Robinson 16.0 ppg
C Jeff Withey 7.8 ppg


The series

11/28/07 A L 49-87

The two teams have faced off just once before, with the Jayhawks using a well rounded attack to stomp out a 87-49 win at Allen Fieldhouse. Former guards Carderro Nwoji and Sanchez Hughley paced the FAU offense with 14 points a piece in the final of a brutal six-game road swing to start the 2007-08 season. The Owls had 19 turnovers for the contest, but outperformed KU from behind the arc connecting on 45.5% of their attempts (5-of-11).


FAU at a Glance

Six of FAU's seven games thus far have been decided by seven points or less. But, such wasn't the case last Staurday in a 68-55 loss for the Owls. Part of the reason was being out hauled 42-29 off the glass, but part was also the emergence of a new threat the Bulls offered which FAU did not have to contend with last time around.

"There is a difference, and the difference is they now have a legitimate point guard", said Coach Mike Jarvis. "I think that's going to be the biggest difference going forward. He (Anthony Collins) can make plays, especially if you don't play him properly."

The Owls would nip a 22 point deficit down to just 9 with 5:00 to go when Collins dropped four straight to establish the lead for good while finishing with 12 points, 7 assists and 4 steals in 27 minutes of action.

With top scorer Greg Gantt sidelined due to an ankle injury, hot handed freshman guard Omari Grier used the opportunity to move his season output into double figures (10.4 ppg) after posting a 20 point career high performance. Also of note is Grier's 17 three-pointers made on the year - currently best on the roster. Gantt is listed as possible for tomorrow, although he will likely see limited minutes if he does take the floor.

FAU realized season lows against the Bulls in total points, blocks, steals, and field goals made. They are now 0-3 on the year when tallying 4 blocks or fewer.

"If we play like this against Kansas we will get beat by 50", said Jarvis.

Guard Pablo Bertone has seen double digit scoring for the last three games straight.


KU at a Glance

Currently at 14th in the nation in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls, KU will be the first nationally ranked opponent on the year for the Owls. Coming off a four-game road stretch against BCS competition, their only defeats have been at the hands of Top 10 teams Kentucky (75-65) and Duke (68-61), with quality wins over both UCLA and Georgetown University.

Despite the losses, Head Coach Bill Self recognizes the benefit of going head-to-head against top talent throughout the preseason.

"It definitely gets us ready. When we play the best teams out there we'll be ready and prepared…Florida Atlantic, South Florida, Long Beach and Ohio State, you know it doesn't get any easier at all", said Self.

Delaying Thanksgiving festivities for a spell, Kansas took on the Blue Devils last Thursday in the Maui Invitational coming away short in a 68-61 loss that was a lot closer than the final score. The game featured 16 lead changes and 12 ties and actually saw the Jayhawks leading 61-60 with 1:11 to play. That was before Duke sank two three pointers and a pair of free throws to put matters away.

Power forward Thomas Robinson is KU's lead man with 16 points and 12 boards per outing. He was named as an all-tournament selection in Hawaii, and has posted double-doubles in all five contests on the year for KU. Guard Tyshawn Taylor is shifty in the back court and also pitches in 16.0 ppg.

After a 2nd place finish in the BIG 12 for 2010-11, Kansas received five votes from league coaches for the top spot in 2011-11, edging out Texas A&M (2). Since conference polling began in 1996-97, the Jayhawks have met preseason favorite expectations 6-of-8 times.

"Coach Jarvis does a good job. They (FAU) won the Sun Belt last season and they're picked to win it against this year, so it'll be a tough game", commented Self on the matchup with the Owls.


Latest Line:


KU -19


Owl's Nest Prediction

Taking the rebounding competition from KU will be a hefty task as the Jayhawks have outmatched each of their last four opponents for a +5.6 overall advantage. Additionally, deliberate hacks to offset easy buckets underneath will not pay dividends for FAU as they are solid at the charity stripe with a 77% team connection rate.

Given opponent size, the Owls were forced to go outside against South Florida and produced moderate results at 10-of-29 (34.5%). However, compounding matters on Wednesday will be an increase in both size and defensive pressure as KU is both longer and stronger in the post and on the wing.

This all spells trouble in the end unless the Owls can catch literal fire from long range, clipping along in the mid-to-high 40's for both periods while keeping turnovers to an absolute minimum.

The best performance from 3PT land on the year was an 8-of-19 (42.1%) showing against Hofstra on 11/22 in a 62-60 win over the Pride, with remaining contests averaging out at 30.2% collectively.

KU -15+
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

going to be rough game. even rougher without gantt. we'll see if they can hang in there. Hopefully with a deep bench fau will just full court press the entire game and catch them off guard for the evening.
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

Exit39 said

going to be rough game. even rougher without gantt. we'll see if they can hang in there. Hopefully with a deep bench fau will just full court press the entire game and catch them off guard for the evening.

Gantt was at practice and is going to play!

BONUS!  ;)
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

yes, Gant is good to go, but Kansas will still give us issues… especially in the paint.  we match up bad.  Prediction 86 - 65 KU

It's Owl Time!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

Just playing in front of the KU crowd is going to be a disadvantage to us. This isn't like going to USF or even Miami, these fans take their college basketball seriously.

When the entire fieldhouse chants in unison- Rock….Chalk….K U…..

I'm sure that can get pretty intimidating. It also happens to be one of the best things about college sports. The Rock Hawk Jay Hawk chant and the Cameron Crazies. This is why I love college basketball and hate the NBA

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

It bothers me that we arent solid enough to not get blown out by teams.  If Jarvis wants the money and contracts he desires he needs to bring us to a level that we can compete with anybody…especially USF.  Embarrasing that we all think we are a good team and get beat like that by a very mediocre basketball program.




Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

GAME THREAD: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

walty, i 100% agree with you. its great to win the sunbelt but besides beating oklahoma state about 13 years ago, every top 25 team FAU has played in football and basketball has ended over 10+ points loss with 90% of those losses ending 20+ points.

i think this team is pretty good but i'm not impressed with White and he has too much on his shoulders. Its still lacking size in the paint.
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

NCowl said

Exit39 said

going to be rough game. even rougher without gantt. we'll see if they can hang in there. Hopefully with a deep bench fau will just full court press the entire game and catch them off guard for the evening.

Gantt was at practice and is going to play!

BONUS!  ;)

He practiced yesterday, but he is not 100%…….
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

Keep in mind that next year we get Drago, and Chris Bryant who had offers from Marquette, Florida State and Virginia Tech.  That's a 7'0 footer, 6'7 forward and White who is 6'8.  That would be nice size to have down low.  Go Owls!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Kansas - 11/30/11 @ 8:00PM

FAU said

Keep in mind that next year we get Drago, and Chris Bryant who had offers from Marquette, Florida State and Virginia Tech.  That's a 7'0 footer, 6'7 forward and White who is 6'8.  That would be nice size to have down low.  Go Owls!

Don't forget about Moody, he may not be 6 feet tall, but he plays like he is and the kid clearly has hops

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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