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GAME THREAD: FAU @ MTSU - January 5, 2019

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FAU Hoops Look To Beat MTSU for First Time Since 2011

What: FAU (9-5, 0-1) vs. Middle Tennessee (3-11, 0-1)

When: Saturday, Jan. 5th @ 6:00 PM Eastern

Where: Murphy Center

Series: The Blue Raiders have dominated the Owls to a 19-4 all-time series record. FAU has not beaten MTSU since January 27th, 2011.


TV: None

Live Video: ESPN+ (FEE)

Radio: ESPN 106.3

MTSU Team Site: Here



Blue Raiders at a Glance:

Offense – 65.9 PPG, 41% FG, 30% 3PT

Defense - 76.4 PPGA, 44% FGA, 37% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38.6 PG, 36.2 PG Opponents


Notables

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. With only one win over a Division I opponent, this is not the same Middle Tennessee program that Kermit Davis built into a mid-major power. That is partially because Kermit Davis left Murfreesboro to become the Head Coach at Ole Miss. Davis was not the only Blue Raider to leave the program this offseason as MTSU saw most of their 2017-2018 roster exit via graduation, transfer, or be dismisal. That includes Tyrik Dixon and Antwain Johnson, a pair of players who were expected to lead the Blue Raiders into a new era.

New Head Coach Nick McDevitt, and many in Blue Raider nation, knew this season was going to be a rebuilding experiment. But the results and stats coming out of Murphy Center do not match their low expectations. Out of 351 Division I basketball programs, MTSU ranks #330 in scoring, #347 in turnovers, and #287 in three-point defense.

Despite those bad stats, not all is lost in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders are one of the nation’s best rebounding teams, clocking in at #75. Guard Antonio Green is #71 in the nation in PPG, just ahead of FAU’s injured Jailyn Ingram. The two stars have 19.1 and 18.9 PPG, respectively. PF/C Karl Gamble leads MTSU’s sound rebounding efforts with 7 RPG. He is two boards away from 100 rebounds on the season.



Owls at a Glance:

Offense - 73.2 PPG, 42% FG, 31% 3PT

Defense - 69.1 PPGA, 41FGA, 30% 3PTA

Rebounding - 41.8 PG, 36.3 PG Opponents


Notables

Dusty May’s Owls will complete their four game road trip in a venue where program has failed to win in seven years. The road trip kicked off on 12/22 in Coral Gables, where a strong second half effort was not enough to comeback against Miami. A resilient overtime win over Illinois drew the Owls road trip even. Most recently, FAU opened conference play with a disappointing 17-point loss at UAB. A win in Murfreesboro will allow the Owls to go .500 on a road trip that not many expected FAU to get a single win in.

Unfortunately, the injury bug continues to bounce around the FAU locker-room. Top scorer and rebounder SF Jailyn Ingram is out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL. It is unknown if PF Xavian Stapleton (knee injury) and SF Jaylen Sebree (shoulder injury, sustained on Thursday) will dress against the Blue Raiders. That means FAU’s first, third, and fourth best scorers could be out for an extended period as the Owls enter conference play.

Therefore, FAU will rely heavily on PG/SG hybrid Anthony Adger for their main offensive output. The senior is second in scoring with 15 PPG, while leading the guards with 39% FG and 37% 3FG%.
FAU big men Madiaw Niang, Simeon Lepichev, and Karlis Silins will need big days to counter FAU over-relying on their backcourt.


Opening Line: FAU +2

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Hopefully the Owls can get back on track in conference play tonight vs Middle Tennessee.  Once again the Owls will rely heavily on Senior G Anthony Adger for production on offense.  He is the only FAU player who has been able to consistently knock down the 3 ball this year   F Karlis Sillins had some nice moments last game against UAB, the Owls will need him to get some buckets inside against Middle Tennessee.  The Owls had many sloppy possessions last game vs UAB due to poor ball handling poor passing.  The Owls will need to control the ball and pace to win this one.  The injuries keep piling up (Stapleton, Ingram, Sebree), once again the Owls will be giving big minutes to the youngsters off the bench.
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FAU will go to a big starting five to tipoff against Middle. This will be Zecevic's first start.


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Good news: PF Stapleton will see the court tonight for the first time since the FGCU game.

Bad news: SF Sebree (SF Ingram's replacement) could be out for the remainder of the season.


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Naturally, right when we post this, Adger & Forrest return to their starting positions.  :Laughing:

 

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Adger is the only Owl with a FG thus far. Stapleton will see his first bit of action in over a month once we return from break.


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Stapleton with the only made FG out of the last 10 attempts from the Owls.


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This kid is just trying to get an education, Xavian!


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Owls have gone cold from the floor.


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Wow. Owls had 9 straight missed FG attempts until Zecevic killed the drought.


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