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GAME DAY THREAD: FAU vs Middle Tennessee - March 4th, 2017

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FAU MBB ends regular season with the toughest test, Middle Tennessee
What: FAU (10-18, 6-11) vs. Middle Tennessee (26-4, 16-1)

When: Saturday, March 4th @ 6:00 PM

Where: Murphy Center

Series: The Blue Raiders have dominated the series with 15-4 record, including winning the last 10.


TV: None

Live Video: WatchESPN *Requires cable subscription

Radio: ESPN 106.3



Middle Tennessee Team Site: Here


Middle Tennessee at a Glance:

Offense - 73.6 PPG, 48% FG, 36% 3PT

Defense - 63.2 PGA, 42% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.1 PG Team, 30.4 PG Opponents


Notables

This season's edition of the Blue Raiders have only gotten better following their upset over Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament last season, an upset that did not surprise those in the mid-major ranks.

Players that have been nightmares in the dreams of FAU fans for years are now getting national notoriety. Senior Forward JaCorey Williams, an Arkansas transfer, is seventh in CUSA in scoring with 17.6 PPG. Williams is the Middle Tennessee's rebounding leader with 7.4 RPG and most efficient shooter with a 53.5 shooting percentage.

Junior Giddy Potts and Senior Reggie Upshaw are in CUSA's top-15 scoring leaders with 15 and 14.2 PPG.

As a team, Middle Tennessee leads CUSA in field goal percentage and is second in points against. Coach Kermit Davis runs a beautifully smooth offense that brings lots of confusing off-the-ball movement to their half court plays. With their coaching, quality, and depth, the Blue Raiders have very little to no weaknesses.



FAU at a Glance

Offense - 70.5 PPG, 42% FG, 32% 3PT

Defense - 72.8 PGA, 45% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.6 Team, 38.9 Opponents



Notables

Nothing great in life is easily achieved. This is especially the case in FAU's last game going into the CUSA Tournament, as the Owls will end the regular season with the best team on their 2016-2017 schedule. Yes, that includes a Miami Hurricane side that has flirted off-and-one with the top 25 all season, and a talented, traditional power in Ohio State.

Senior Adonis Filer's play has been top notch the last couple of weeks. Paired with an very strong performance from center Ronald Delph, the Owls were able to hang with UAB on Thursday before the game's waning moments.

An FAU victory OR a loss paired with Southern Mississippi losing to Louisiana Tech will lock the 11th seed for the Owls. An FAU loss AND  a Southern Mississippi victory over Louisiana Tech will give the Owls the 12th seed; the final seed in the CUSA Tournament.



Latest Line

Middle Tennessee -15.5

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I hate to be all doom and gloom, especially going into the conference tournament, but this could get nasty. It al depends on how long Kermit Davis keeps his starters in. To Middle Tennessee's credit, their bench is just as quality as their starters, just without the experience.

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Same starting lineup that we're used to seeing.

Middle Tennessee's Giddy Potts isn't starting tonight for the first time all season. I'm not sure if that's to give the Blue Raider seniors a start on their senior day, due to injury, or to rest for the tournament. As soon as I know, y'all will know.


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Another slow start for FAU, but at least MTSU is joining us.


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Owls offense has awoken! For what it's worth, FIU had a fast start against MTSU on Thursday before the Blue Raiders stormed back in the second half.


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That was short lived. Owls are amidst a scoring drought spanning over three and a half minutes., in which the Blue Raiders have taken the lead on a 8-0 run.


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An ugly few minutes offensively allows Middle Tennessee to race to a big lead via an 11-0 run. Owls committing 10 fouls early and going 1-7 from the three point arch certainly hasn't helped.


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Owls are lucky that Middle Tennessee's lead isn't any bigger. The Blue Raiders 11-0 run was tough to watch.


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Not bad at all…

Pleasantly surprised.
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Halftime individual stats for FAU and team comparison stats against Middle Tennessee.

Rutherford and Cylla lead FAU in scoring with 9 a piece.

(click images to enlarge)


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