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GAME THREAD - FAU vs. FIU - February 17th, 2018

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FAU MBB hope to return to winning ways vs. rival FIU



What: FAU (10-15, 4-9) vs. Florida International (11-15, 5-8)

When: Saturday, February 17th, @ 2:00 PM Eastern

Where: FAU Arena

Series: The Panthers own a 23-17 historical advantage over FAU, including a win at the Ocean Bank Center in December.


TV: None

Live Video: CUSA.tv *FEE

Radio: ESPN 106.3



FIU Team Site: Here


FIU at a Glance:

Offense - 70.9 PPG, 43% FG, 33% 3PT

Defense - 70.7 PPGA, 43% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.7 PG Panthers, 40.3 PG Opponents


Notables

For the first time in three years, The School Down South is in a better position than FAU for the conference tournament. This is almost entirely on the back of sophomore guard Brian Beard Jr., who leads FIU in PPG, APG, and steals with 16.2, 5.5, and 76 respectively. His 16.2 PPG total is makes Beard the ninth best shooter in Conference-USA.

The Panthers will come into the Burrow losers of their last two, falling to Marshall and Western Kentucky. Yet before last week's losses, FIU was able to upend both Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech, something that FAU failed to do at the Burrow.



FAU at a Glance

Offense - 68.6 PPG, 41% FG, 33% 3PT

Defense - 69.2 PPGA, 43% FGA, 35% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38.4 Owls, 36.8 Opponents


Notables

Things just keep getting worse for FAU Basketball. The Owls followed up a disappointing two-loss home stand with double digit losses to Western Kentucky and Marshall. These four straight losses put FAU from the middle of the conference standings, to 11th place, just one spot in front of the final seed in the conference tournament.

FAU's "big three" of Ronald Delph, Justin Massey, and Gerdarius Troutman have played well at times, but it has become rare for all three to have good outings on the same night. Since the midpoint of January, either some sort of combination has occurred where one player is having an off night, another is in foul trouble, and the other is having the weight of the program on his shoulders for the final 20 minutes of the game. This inconstant play from the big three have allowed for other players to step up. Payton Hulsey, William Pfister, and Jailyn Ingram all have seen above average numbers during FAU's four game losing streak.

Playing an FIU team that will look to sweep the Owls will surely test FAU's depth, especially if we continue to see inconstant play from Delph, Massey, and Troutman. A loss would mean that FAU is now fighting to stay in contention for the CUSA Tournament, a position that is surely a disappointing for FAU fans.


Latest Line

FAU -3

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#neverforget

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teambeer said

#neverforget


Posted On: Feb 16th 2018, 8:58 PM #377213

I was there, unbelievable game!

I am very frustrated with this coach but I will be there tomorrow.

BTW It’s 10:23 and fiu still sucks!

GO OWLS!
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dusky256fc said

I was there, unbelievable game!

Same. Probably one of the greatest games ever played in the Burrow, at least from the fan standpoint. An incredible atmosphere. So glad I was there to experience it.

We had a great team that year and Student Government really did an excellent job riling up the student body to get them out to this game.

Obviously winning helps all but SGA was very proactive about sports that year and it showed in student attendance; subsequent administrations have been a little more "oh yeah I guess we should put something together shouldn't we" and that showed too.

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It was my first FAU FIU basketball game! Safe to say I was hooked.

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As discussed in the preview, FAU will need some more players to step up if we are going to break this losing skid.

Covering FIU's PG, Beard will be no easy task. Look for Hulsey and Adger to split their time defensively against the rising star.


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Owls begin the contest well. Delph has been the most impressive, overpowering a Panther in the paint, and then sinking a beautiful mid-range jumper soon after.


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Owls are now struggling with turnovers, and giving up defensive rebounds. As of right now, FIU has the same amount of offensive bounds as they do defensive, 6 a piece for 12 total. Meanwhile, the Owls only have 6 in total.


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Owls are now hitting their stride, retake the lead as we enter the final minutes of the second half.


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Back and forth, back and forth.

This has been a game of runs, as FAU has had the lead for 8:43, FIU's lead for 6:28, and a tie ballgame for 4:49.


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