CIT FIRST ROUND GAME THREAD: FAU @ Charleston Southern - March 21, 2019
What: Florida Atlantic (17-15, 8-10) @ Charleston Southern (17-15, 9-7)
When: Thursday, March 21th @ 7:00 PM Eastern
Where:
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Buccaneer Field HouseSeries: This will be the first ever match up between FAU and Charleston Southern.
Stream: CBS Sports Network
Radio: ESPN 106.3
Charleston Southern Team Site: Here
Buccaneers at a Glance:
Offense – 76.2 PPG, 43% FG, 35% 3PT
Defense – 69.7 PPGA, 43% FGA, 35% 3PTA
Rebounding - 35.7 PG, 36.1 PG Opponents
Notables
Charleston Southern enters the CIT after losing in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament to defending champs Radford. Prior to this loss, the Buccaneers were winners of four straight.
The Bucs are lead by G Christian Keeling, who averages just a shade under 19 PPG. On top of being the fourth best shooter in the Big South Conference, the junior averages 7 rebounds per game, also good for fourth in the BSC.
The young FAU backcourt will have their hands full with Keeling, as the 2019 Big South All-tournament first teamer has scored over 20 points in three of his last four games.
Head Coach Barclay Radebaugh will have to get creative inside against the Owls, as CSU's tallest rotational players are both 6'8" freshmen: Timmy Sellers and Duncan Alexander.
CSU's 16.6 forced turnovers per game ranks 11th in the nation. This in turns allows the Bucs to have the 15th best turnover margin in Division I basketball at +3.7.
Owls at a Glance:
Offense – 70.5 PPG, 41% FG, 32% 3PT
Defense - 68 PPGA, 41% FGA, 32% 3PTA
Rebounding - 39.5 PG, 35.6 PG Opponents
Notables
The Florida Atlantic Owls make their return to postseason play for the first time since 2011, where they were bounced from the first round of the NIT with a 85-62 loss at Miami.
This past week, the Owls lost a heartbreaker in the opening round of the C-USA Tournament to Louisiana Tech. Despite having the lead over FAU for just 35 seconds of game-time, the Bulldogs went on to the second round where they lost to eventual C-USA Tournament champions Old Dominion.
This Owls' loss was highlighted by a lack of offensive firepower, as FAU only had two double digit scorers: Xavian Stapleton (17) and Simeon Lepichev (13).
FAU will also need to take better care of the basketball, as their 13 turnovers against Louisiana Tech allowed the Bulldogs to complete their comeback. The turnover woes will only be exasperated against a turnover forcing machine like CSU.
The Owls will need better play from Anthony Adger if they want a chance to continue their season. Despite averaging 15.5 PPG this season, the senior is averaging just 9 PPG over his last 4 appearances.
Opening Line: FAU +3.5
Some changes to #FAU's Staring Five as the Owls begin their third postseason in program history.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019
G - Michael Forrest
G - Anthony Adger
G - RIchardson Maitre
F - Madiaw Niang
C - Karlis Silins
#CSU 11 - #FAU 7 | 14:57 1H
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019
Adger hits an opening three to get us started, but it's been all Bucs from there. Niang finesses a layup and a jumper to cut the deficit.
🔥🔥🌲🌲🔥🌲🌲🔥🔥
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019
IT'S A FORREST FIRE! The Freshman converts a pair of FGs, then knocks down a three pointer to give the Owls the lead.
#CSU 28 - #FAU 18 | 3:44 1H
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019
Bucs retake the lead thanks to the Owls converting just one of their last 12 FGs. Despite our size advantage, FAU only has 8 points in the paint.
On a side note:
The BEST ARENA IN AMERICA won't fix 2-of-16 from the floor!
Let's go!
HALFTIME | #CSU 34 - #FAU 30
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019
Owls STORM BACK right before the break thanks to a 10-2 run highlighted by a beautiful three-pointer from Stapleton.
The stats from the first half of #FAU vs. #CSU are.... not pretty.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 22, 2019
FGs: 52% - 29% CSU
3FGs: 31% - 20% FAU
Rebs: 19 - 16 CSU
PIP: 16 - 8 CSU
Adger - TH 8 Pts, 2 3FG
Forrest - 7 Pts, GH 4 assists
Lepichev & Silins - TH 3 Rebs a piece
OWLS LEAD!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 22, 2019
Adger has six straight, all a part of #FAU's 11-2 run. The senior originally from South Carolina is doing his best to make sure that this isn't the last game of his collegiate career.
CSU retakes the lead, but the grad student ties the game at 34 a piece with a shot from Jacksonville!
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