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GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

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What: Florida Atlantic (5-4, 1-1 SBC) vs Dayton (7-2, 0-0 A10)

When: Saturday, Dec. 15th @ 7:00 PM EST

Where: University of Dayton Arena

Flyers Team Site: Here


TV: WHIO-TV

Live Video: Flyers All Access (FREE)

Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Stats: Here


Probable Starters:

FAU

G Jackson Trapp 7.0 ppg
G Greg Gantt 20.8 ppg
G Pablo Bertone 7.1 ppg
F Jordan McCoy 5.9 ppg
C Dragan Sekelja 4.4 ppg


Dayton

G Kevin Dillard 15.2 ppg
G Vee Sanford 12.1 ppg
F Dyshawn Pierre 7.4 ppg
F Devin Oliver 10.7 ppg
C Josh Benson 11.8 ppg


The Series

Saturday's tilt marks the first meeting between the two programs.


Owls at a Glance

Florida Atlantic is enjoying their first three game win streak since clipping WKU 67-66 back on January, 2012.

Having played four of the last five contests at home, the Owls took also care of business at FAU Arena with a 3-1 showing during the span, while moving above the .500 mark for the first time since 2010-11 in the process as well.

"We need a bunch of these little wins, so we could build the confidence, so we could go up against bigger teams, and it will be good", said freshman Stefan Moody.

The reverse opposite now lies in waiting though, as aside from a re-match against Stetson on the 18th, the Owls spend the rest of December on the road. After finishing 4-11 last year away from Boca Raton, they are technically 2-3 this year so far, and heading in the right direction.  Head Coach Mike Jarvis sees more good things in store for his squad.

"I think we are ready to go on the road and win some games", proclaimed Jarvis. "Even though it was a tournament when we were at Elon, it still was really being on the road. I think we will be OK, I really do."

Given the propensity for lulls in performance at times on both sides of the ball, the Owls are still looking for "one more guy" to put into the regular swing of things to enable this occuring, and may have found him in Devonte Thornton.

After seeing very limited action up until then (nine minutes) the freshman had a "coming out party" against Warner in FAU's 83-50 win over the Royals last Sunday, netting seven points and three rebounds, while going a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor in 17 minutes of action.

"I'm anxious to see how Devonte does (Saturday), because we need one more guy who can get into the rotation", Jarvis said. " When he uses his length, he has the potential to be a very good defender."

"I'm gonna play him, and I want to see what he can do in a game like that. That could go a long way in determining how much he really will play as we go forward", said Jarvis.

Dayton marks the first of two tough contests for FAU, with the second coming against #1 Indiana on the 21st at Assembly Hall.

"They (Dayton) can score, they get a lot of points in transition, and penetration and kicks. They are a team that wants to drive it and then pass to guys for threes", remarked Jarvis. "They can be dangerous, you've got to take away their transition points, and keep them in front of you."

"You don't want it to be a track meet, because they are liable to beat you if it's a track meet", concluded Jarvis.

In the Owls' nine games thus far, Gantt has led the team in scoring for seven of them. FAU is 4-1 when he nets 19 points or more. He needs just 84 more points to become program's all-time leading scorer.

FAU is currently shooting a robust 39.0% from long range, which is +5.1% better their comprehensive 2011-12 mark.

Success at the charity stripe continues to improve as well, with a 75.0% effort to that of 66.3% for last season, respectively.

Jarvis was 5-1 against Dayton during his tenure as head coach at George Washington (A-10).


Flyers at a Glance

If you had to pick just two words to sum up Dayton they would be: "Well rounded". They've got six players shooting threes at a clip of 31.% or better, can run the floor at every position, and have four starters averaging in double digit point production.

The shooting should be no surprise given Head Man Archie Miller's penchant for the long ball as NC State's 2nd all-time performer in that category (42.9% career, 98-02').

Center Josh Benson has had the hot hand as of late, posting a team best 15.3 points - with eight grabs to accompany - in each of the last four games.

The Owls will be the second Sun Belt opponent for Dayton, as the Flyers took care of business in their regular season opener against Arkansas State in a 74-61 win at home.

Dayton has notched two non conference victories against the SEC (Alabama 81-76, Auburn 73-63), and one versus BIG East member Boston College (87-71).

Flyer point guard Kevin Dillard (41.0% 3PT, 85% FT) received ESPN's National Player of the Week award after posting a 20.0 ppg mark for UD against the Crimson Tide on Dec. 5th, and at home against fellow league member Miami last Saturday.

He was also a First Team Pre-Season All-Atlantic 10 selection.

The Flyers are strong off the glass, and have outperformed all opponents on the season side from Weber State (62-61 L).

Should FAU be able to establish a halftime advantage, it will be the first time Dayton has surrendered one all season.

UD has won three straight, and six of the last seven. They are 11-0 under Miller (2nd season) when shooting 40.0% or better from long range.


Latest Line:

Dayton -17


Owl's Nest Prediction

Like FAU's last opponent, Dayton will look to the outside for major point production, while mixing in some inside attempts.

But we're not talking the same level of overall talent.

If there is are comparative " weaknesses'" to be observed, the Flyers boast just 25 blocks and 48 steals through nine games, with bigs Pierre, Oliver, and Benson averaging only 57.7% at the free throw line.

FAU offers 40, and 58, and a 64.0% mark.

Key factors for an Owls's win include physically forcing them to play inside rather than out and running, and continued steady point production from the guard trio of Gantt, Moody and Bertone.

Florida Atlantic could outperform the Flyers off the rim, as they enjoy a 38.6 to 34.1 advantage therein, but it's going to take a solid effort to make that happen.

Not in align with 17 points for UD, but also not confident the Owls are ready to take out a good mid-major on their home floor yet either.

Dayton - 10
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Re: Game Preview: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Rick said

Not in align with 17 points for UD…

Betters aren't either…although by just a point so far:

+16

Honestly expected that to be greater…….
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Let's go Owls, bring home a win.
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Starters…

FAU

G Jackson Trapp
G Greg Gantt
G Pablo Bertone
F Jordan McCoy
C Dragan Sekelja


Dayton

G Kevin Dillard
G Vee Sanford
F Dyshawn Pierre
F Devin Oliver
C Josh Benson
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Andrew said

Let's go Owls, bring home a win.

Lets go owls!!! looks like a good crowd on TV
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Dillard with two quick buckets, and the Flyers are out to a 4-0 lead early...
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Make that three…

Trapp is flustered.
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Gantt finally gets the Owls on the board…

FAU 2  UD 8
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Bertone answers!

Owls cut it to a four point deficit…
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Re: GAME THREAD: FAU @ Dayton - 12/15/12 @ 7:00 PM

Need to keep the defensive pressure on and even it up...
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