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Game Thread: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

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Game Thread: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM




What: Florida Atlantic (8-5, 2-0) vs DePaul (5-6, 0-0)

When: Wednesday, Dec. 22nd @ 8:30 PM EST

Where: Allstate Arena

TV: None

Live Video: DePaul BlueTube

Internet Broadcast: Here

Live Stats: Here

DePaul Team Site: Here


Probable Starters:

FAU

G Ray Taylor 10.7 ppg
G Alex Tucker 9.3 ppg
G Greg Gantt 13.8 ppg
F Jordan McCoy 4.5 ppg
F Brett Royster 7.8 ppg


DePaul

G Jeremiah Kelly 5.9 ppg
G Brandon Young 14.4 ppg
F Mike Stovall 10.8 ppg
F Cleveland Melvin 9.3 ppg
C Krys Faber 9.1 ppg


The series

Wednesday marks the first ever meeting between the programs.


FAU at a Glance

Florida Atlantic finally wraps up its "NBA Road Trip" against the Blue Demons in their second Big East showdown on the year. The team, which left Boca Raton back on December 10th, has performed well during the span.

"It's a great trip at 3-1, but we're going to try and go for 4-1", said Coach Mike Jarvis. "It would be great time to go home, especially coming off of victories."

Last time out on Sunday night, FAU struggled to maintain ball control, but Ray Taylor scored 20 points as the Owls hung on to slip past ULM 60-58 and move to 2-0 in Sun belt play. Taylor, who scored 24 in FAU's previous outing against Troy, received Sun Belt Player of the Week honors after the effort.

Greg Gantt, on the other hand, had a tough go of things seeing well under his average in minutes and points.

"He'll bounce back. In a way it is kind of good to know your leading scorer can have an awful night and you can still win", said Jarvis.

The Blue Demons may be new to the Owls, but Jarvis has faced off against Purnell before. The two met on the hardwood in the Atlantic 10 Conference during the 1995-98 seasons when Jarvis was at George Washington and Purnell led the Dayton. With a 5-1 mark against Purnell during that span, he knows what to expect tomorrow - pressure.

"I hope the refs bring their whistles, they are going to have their hands all over you", remarked Jarvis. "If we can take care of the ball we have a chance to win."

After three straight solid performances, Brett Royster's 47 blocks is good enough for 3rd place in NCAA DI rankings.

The Owls recently slipped past MTSU to become the 2nd best overall shooting team in the league with a 44.4% mark.


DePaul at a Glance

After posting eight wins and a 1-17 mark in conference play last season, it was time for a change in Chicago.

Accordingly, the Blue Demons are in a transition period under Purnell, learning a new system, and rebuilding at the same time. Leaving the ACC and Clemson University, Purnell said he took the job for the challenge most of all, and will go for his 400th career victory on Wednesday.

Led by Tony Freeland's 16 points, DePaul used a game defining 25-12 second half run en route to a 81-74 win over Loyola-Chicago last Saturday. The Blue Demons had five players in double figures in the well rounded affair.

"Obviously we are very pleased to get a win over Loyola", said Coach Oliver Purnell. "I thought the tempo of the game was in our favor. Our pressure really wore on them."

While pressure defense is a staple that works to create turnovers for DePaul, rebounding has been an issue for the Blue Demons.

"What kept us from playing really well is the thing that's kept us from playing all year long, and that's our inability to rebound", Purnell said. "We'll continue to work…and hopefully we'll slowly get better at that."

Although similar to the Owls in scoring distribution, style of points is not. Freshman guard Brandon Young (10-of-21, 47.6%) is the Blue Demon's biggest threat from long range for a squad that struggles beyond the arc at 26.8%.

The Blue Demons are 25-5 all time against the Sun Belt, most recently knocking off FIU 72-60 in 2005.


Latest Line:

DePaul -2


Owl's Nest Prediction

FAU has a slight advantage in turnovers per game and that will be tested come game time. But they really excel head to head from long range. The Owls own tosses from downtown at a +7% margin. And given the differential in shots from that location between the teams (+ 2 FAU), it's worth a few points.

Despite knocking off USF at FAU Arena, going to claim some "Big East" home advantage in this one.

However, the Owls could be right in the thick of things come crunch time late - which they have excelled at.

It's refreshing to look at Florida Atlantic this year in comparison to recent seasons and think they could upset another "Big Six" squad on the road. Catching the Blue Demons early in the midst of rebuilding the "New Era of the Same Tradition" doesn't hurt that thought process.

DePaul -2
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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Nice write up, Rick.

This is a tough game.  The casual fan will look at Depaul as being on the low end of the Big East and think this is a W for us.  We are not the Big East, nor even close.  This would be a huge win for us.  I won't be surprised if we lose and I won't be surprised if we win so Depaul -2 seems right.  In years past, we would not even be considered for a possible win.

I hope everyone begins to jump on this basketball bandwagon because this team deserves the support.

For all you FAU football fans:  go out and get into the basketball team.  You will not be disappointed.  Great entertainment!

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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

I'm going to be there tonight and i'm going to be all over DePaul.

OWLS by 5!

I think Kore shows up tonight and Tucker play's 30+ minutes covering the one guy on DePaul who's any good, Ray's stroke is on, Gantt is hitting jumpers all over and Royster goes for a double/double…with 9 points.

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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Gantt scores 25 tonight and we beat our 2nd Big East team.

I feel like this game means a lot, lets go owls.

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Exit39 said

I'm going to be there tonight and i'm going to be all over DePaul.

May just have to modify the Owl's Nest prediction…You being there is almost as good as home court advantage!
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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Game will be on wwwchannelsurfing.net

Already listed.

I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick @$$ and I'm out of bubble gum.

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Re: Game Preview: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

owlfamily said

Game will be on wwwchannelsurfing.net

Already listed.

Great news! Although I don't mind listening to LaVicka

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: Game Thread: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Starters:

FAU

G Ray Taylor 10.7 ppg
G Alex Tucker 9.3 ppg
G Greg Gantt 13.8 ppg
F Kore White 9.2 ppg
F Brett Royster 7.8 ppg


DePaul

G Brandon Young 14.4 ppg
G Jeremiah Kelly 5.9 ppg
F Mike Stovall 10.8 ppg
F Cleveland Melvin 9.3 ppg
C Krys Faber 9.1 ppg
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Re: Game Thread: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

White gets the nod tonight in favor of McCoy, who is feeling a little under the weather but expected to play some.
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Re: Game Thread: FAU vs DePaul - 12/22/10 @ 8:30PM

Rick said

McCoy, who is feeling a little under the weather

Who isn't this time of the year.. Seems like everyone is battling some kind of a cold

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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