GAME THREAD - FAU vs. FIU - February 17th, 2018
What: FAU (10-15, 4-9) vs. Florida International (11-15, 5-8)
When: Saturday, February 17th, @ 2:00 PM Eastern
Where: FAU Arena
Series: The Panthers own a 23-17 historical advantage over FAU, including a win at the Ocean Bank Center in December.
TV: None
Live Video: CUSA.tv *FEE
Radio: ESPN 106.3
FIU Team Site: Here
FIU at a Glance:
Offense - 70.9 PPG, 43% FG, 33% 3PT
Defense - 70.7 PPGA, 43% FGA, 33% 3PTA
Rebounding - 35.7 PG Panthers, 40.3 PG Opponents
Notables
For the first time in three years, The School Down South is in a better position than FAU for the conference tournament. This is almost entirely on the back of sophomore guard Brian Beard Jr., who leads FIU in PPG, APG, and steals with 16.2, 5.5, and 76 respectively. His 16.2 PPG total is makes Beard the ninth best shooter in Conference-USA.
The Panthers will come into the Burrow losers of their last two, falling to Marshall and Western Kentucky. Yet before last week's losses, FIU was able to upend both Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech, something that FAU failed to do at the Burrow.
FAU at a Glance
Offense - 68.6 PPG, 41% FG, 33% 3PT
Defense - 69.2 PPGA, 43% FGA, 35% 3PTA
Rebounding - 38.4 Owls, 36.8 Opponents
Notables
Things just keep getting worse for FAU Basketball. The Owls followed up a disappointing two-loss home stand with double digit losses to Western Kentucky and Marshall. These four straight losses put FAU from the middle of the conference standings, to 11th place, just one spot in front of the final seed in the conference tournament.
FAU's "big three" of Ronald Delph, Justin Massey, and Gerdarius Troutman have played well at times, but it has become rare for all three to have good outings on the same night. Since the midpoint of January, either some sort of combination has occurred where one player is having an off night, another is in foul trouble, and the other is having the weight of the program on his shoulders for the final 20 minutes of the game. This inconstant play from the big three have allowed for other players to step up. Payton Hulsey, William Pfister, and Jailyn Ingram all have seen above average numbers during FAU's four game losing streak.
Playing an FIU team that will look to sweep the Owls will surely test FAU's depth, especially if we continue to see inconstant play from Delph, Massey, and Troutman. A loss would mean that FAU is now fighting to stay in contention for the CUSA Tournament, a position that is surely a disappointing for FAU fans.
Latest Line
FAU -3
teambeer said
I was there, unbelievable game!
I am very frustrated with this coach but I will be there tomorrow.
BTW It’s 10:23 and fiu still sucks!
dusky256fc said
I was there, unbelievable game!
Same. Probably one of the greatest games ever played in the Burrow, at least from the fan standpoint. An incredible atmosphere. So glad I was there to experience it.
We had a great team that year and Student Government really did an excellent job riling up the student body to get them out to this game.
Obviously winning helps all but SGA was very proactive about sports that year and it showed in student attendance; subsequent administrations have been a little more "oh yeah I guess we should put something together shouldn't we" and that showed too.
Covering FIU's PG, Beard will be no easy task. Look for Hulsey and Adger to split their time defensively against the rising star.
#FAU's starting five vs. #FIU:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 17, 2018
PG - Payton Hulsey
SG - Justin Massey
SF - Jailyn Ingram
PF - William Pfister
C - Ronald Delph
Now that's how you start a basketball game! 💪💪
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 17, 2018
The Owls come running out of the start to take an early lead, including a pair of SMOOTH jumpers from Delph, a three from Massey, and a layup of the fastbreak from Ingram.#FAU 11 - #FIU 6. 15:25 1H
Some sloppy play by the Owls have allowed #FIU to take their first lead of the game.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 17, 2018
But leave it up to Gerdarius Troutman to stop the bleeding, as he hits a gorgeous three from the corner.
Panthers lead 18-16, 10:23 1H.
Payton Hulsey for THREE, to retake the lead!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 17, 2018
Owls have no made 4 of their last 5 FG attempts.#FAU 25- #FIU 23, 6:35 1H.
This has been a game of runs, as FAU has had the lead for 8:43, FIU's lead for 6:28, and a tie ballgame for 4:49.
MBB HALFTIME:#FIU 42 - #FAU 39
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 17, 2018
Justin Massey hits back-to-back three-pointers, helping the Owls claw back within a one possession to rival FIU.
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