FAU Hoops Takes on Rice in Final Game Before C-USA Bonus Play


What: Rice (10-16, 5-8) vs. Florida Atlantic (15-11, 6-7)

When: Saturday, February 16 @ 2:00 PM

Where: FAU Arena

Series: Rice holds a 4-2 edge, winning all three games played at The Burrow. The two teams split last year's meetings, with each team using a buzzer-beater to win on the other's home floor.


Video: CUSA.tv (FEE)

Radio: ESPN 106.3

Rice Team Site: Here



Rice at a Glance:

Offense – 75.4 PPG, 44% FG, 35% 3PT

Defense – 78.8 PPGA, 45% FGA, 35% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38.0 PG, 36.1 PG Opponents


Notables

Losers of three of their last four, Rice comes to Boca Raton in hopes of sneaking into the middle-pod. Last time out, the Owls from Houston fell to FIU 86-65.

Rice has four players averaging double-figures, led by C-USA Freshman of the Year candidate Chris Mullins with 12.3 PPG.

Junior guard Ako Adams is second on the team with 11.8 PPG, which includes an impressive 40.3% from three, good for eighth in the league. He also leads Conference USA in free throw percentage, shooting 90% from the charity stripe.

Another impressive freshman, guard Trey Murphy III is second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 42.7%.

Rice is one of the best rebounding teams in C-USA thanks to Jack Williams and Robert Martin. Both average double digits in scoring while hauling in 7.9 and 6.3 RPG respectively.



FAU at a Glance:

Offense – 72.1 PPG, 41% FG, 33% 3PT

Defense - 69.1 PPGA, 42% FGA, 32% 3PTA

Rebounding - 40.0 PG, 35.3 PG Opponents


Notables

FAU will enter Saturday's game as the #8 seed in C-USA. A win guarantees the Owls a spot in the second pod for Bonus Play. Moreover, an FAU win would make Head Coach Dusty May the winningest first year head coach since moving to Division I.

This was all set up by FAU's surprising 57-47 upset victory over North Texas on Thursday. In that contest, Anthony Adger led with 15 points, while grabbing five boards and dishing out four assists. Karlis Silins tied his career-high in points with 14.

FAU is led by senior guard Anthony Adger, with 16.9 points, good for 10th in the league. He is fourth in C-USA in three-point field goals made per game (3.1) and eighth in free throw percentage (82.0%).

Graduate forward Xavian Stapleton is second on the team with 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. He is also connecting on 37.7% from beyond the arc to lead the team.

As a team, FAU leads Conference USA in rebounding and is second in the league in free throw percentage, connecting on 74% from the charity stripe.


Opening Line: FAU -7

Owls win this game but I might have taken the points at -7 😉

Well that was fast…The line has moved DOWN to FAU -5.5. A bit surprising considering the Owls' 14-point upset against the spread on Thursday.

should be a fun crowd....I can always make the Sat afternoon games....

Such a beautiful day on campus! The students are tailgating outside The Burrow. Hopefully they'll make their way in to support the boys in the final game before Bonus Play.

We're 30 minutes from tip-off at The Burrow. #FAU will take on #Rice in the final game before #CUSA Bonus Play. With all games in the conference taking place this afternoon, we will know who and where the Owls will play their next four games soon after this game's conclusion.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 16, 2019

Dusty May is sticking with the same staring lineup for the fourth straight game. The Owls are 2-1 during that stretch.

Dusty May makes no changes to #FAU's Starting Five:

G - Michael Forrest

G - Anthony Adger

G - Kevaughn Ellis

F - Simeon Lepichev

C - Aleksandar Zecevic

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 16, 2019

So-so crowd on hand at The Burrow. Seems like the students are still tailgating outside…

We’re underway from The Burrow. Both sides are struggling offensively early.

Photo from @Ryan_Rubloff pic.twitter.com/orjRmbKTXG

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 16, 2019

This game hasn't been pretty thus far. At least Lepichev is having a solid day.

9:09 1H | #FAU 12 - Rice 7

A slow start for both teams, although FAU have converted four straight FG attempts. Lepichev has a game high 6 points and 3 rebounds.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 16, 2019

Bad news: We're not having the best day shooting.

Good news: Rice are having a much worse day shooting.

HALFTIME | #FAU 28 - #Rice 12

WHAT A DEFENSE EFFORT FROM FAU! Dusty May's boys are putting on a defensive clinic, not allowing Rice to score in the final 6 minutes of the half. Rice is shooting 18.5% FG.

A 4-point play from Stapleton allows him to have a game high 8 points.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) February 16, 2019

I'm so pumped from that first half, I didn't even notice that I said "defense effort" instead of "defensive effort."

Sorry y'all, but strong defensive play really gets me going.