GAME DAY THREAD: FAU vs Middle Tennessee - March 4th, 2017
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
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.
#FAU's starting lineup vs. Middle Tennessee:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 4, 2017
G Nick Rutherford
G Gerdarius Troutman
F Jeantal Cylla
F Jailyn Ingram
C William Pfister
With 15:37 left in the half, #FAU leads #MTSU 5-4.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 4, 2017
Both offenses are on the struggle bus early: FAU = 29% FG, MTSU = 33% FG.
Owls are making the most of their opportunities, taking a 15-10 lead to the halfway point of the first half! #GoOwls!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 4, 2017
There goes #FAU's lead. Middle Tennessee takes their first lead of the game. 18-17 Blue Raiders with 8:41 left in the half.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 4, 2017
Jeantal Cylla's three from the corner pulls #FAU back within 10. With 3:53 left in the half, the Owls need to cut into MTSU's 34-24 lead.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 4, 2017
Halftime: #FAU is hanging with CUSA's top team, Middle Tennessee 44-36.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 5, 2017
Pleasantly surprised.
Rutherford and Cylla lead FAU in scoring with 9 a piece.
(click images to enlarge)
Halftime individual stats for #FAU & team comparison stats vs. #MTSU:
— FAU Owl's Nest (@TheOwlsNest_ITB) March 5, 2017
**FUN FACT** The Owls have lead this game more than MTSU has. pic.twitter.com/JcUMVPahWl
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