FAU (14-6) @ FAU (4-17)
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009
7:00 PM EST


MEDIA COVERAGE

640 AM with audio links available via FAUSPORTS.com.  Ken LaVicka (play-by-play) will call the games for WFTL on Thursday.  Live scoring via GAMETRACKER and an additional video feed can also be accessed on FAUSPORTS.com.

Radio Link:

Radio Broadcast: FOX 640AM - FAU vs ASU 5:00PM


THE SERIES

The Trojans lead the all-time series with FAU 2-1 after claiming two wins over the Owls last season, including a 66-60 victory in the second round of the SBC Tournament at the Mitchell Center in Mobile (3/9/08). Earlier in the year UALR posted an 80-76 win over the Owls in Little Rock (1/27/08) despite 17 points and seven rebounds by FAU PG Carderro Nwoji. FAU won the first-ever meeting between the schools, a 75-71 decision in Boca Raton (1/27/07).


UALR AT A GLANCE

The Trojans are beginning a stretch of playing 4 of 5 on the road, and saw their five-game win streak come to an end Saturday night with a 63-58 loss to Troy at the Jack Stephens Center. Troy (11-10, 6-3) extended its win streak to four games by holding UALR to a .344 field goal percentage, including a 6-of-23 effort from three-point range.  Senior Shane Edwards averaged team highs of 21.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last week, following up Thursday's career-high 23-point performance at South Alabama with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double against Troy.   Edwards has scored in double figures in nine of the team's last 10 games, and is averaging a team-high 14.7 points per game in conference action.


FAU AT A GLANCE

The Owls (4-17) are still in search of its first Sun Belt win (0-9). A promising start to the season has seen preseason Sun Belt "Player of the Year," senior forward Carlos Monroe, play in just six games and the team's most productive player, sophomore guard Xavier Perkins, sidelined after Game 8 to focus on academics. Freshmen Alex Tucker - 2nd in the Sun Belt in assists (4.8 pg) - and Shavar Richardson (11.8 ppg) have emerged as two of the league's best young guards. Rookie classmate, forward Chris Watson (.544 FG%), has joined Tucker and Richardson has a regular in FAU's starting lineup. Senior PG Carderro Nwoji (10.0 ppg) and high-scoring guard Paul Graham III (16.8 ppg) provide experience to an FAU team that has been competitive in all but one game this season - making its 4-17 record a bit misleading.  Sophomore F/C Brett Royster needs just 12 blocks to break FAU's single-season record.  Royster leads the league in blocks (47) and ranks No. 37 in the NCAA.


PROBABLE STARTERS

UALR Trojans

11 Lionel Foster G 6-1 200 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 1.9 ppg • 1.2 apg
3   Steven Moore G 6-0 176 Jr.-2L Little Rock, Ark. 13.5 ppg • 3.7 apg
21 John Fowler F 6-4 210 Sr.-1L Blytheville, Ark. 10.4 ppg • 5.9 rpg
0   Shane Edwards F 6-7 212 Sr.-1L Gilbert, Ariz. 11.2 ppg • 4.8 rpg
5 LaMarvon Jackson F 6-6 205 Sr.-1L Ashford, Ala. 1.4 ppg • 1.8 rpg

Florida Atlantic

1 Shavar Richardson G 6-2 165 Fr.-HS Brooklyn, N.Y. 11.8 ppg • 39 3FGs
5 Alex Tucker G 5-11 160 Fr.-HS San Pedro, Calif. 6.6 ppg • 4.8 apg
12 Carderro Nwoji G 5-11 175 Sr.-1L Wichita, Kan. 10.0 ppg • 3.8 rpg
3 Chris Watson F 6-6 210 Fr.-HS Daytona, Fla. 4.2 ppg • 3.7 rpg
40 Brett Royster F 6-8 220 So.-1L Arlington, Texas 6.3 ppg • 5.2 rpg


LATEST LINE

N/A (will update when available)


OWL NEST PREDICTION

UALR is obviously a top tier SBC team, and is very well rounded with three startes in double figures.  They are going to be a tough opponent.  The Owls just doesn't have the reserves to stay in late developing ball games, and will need to establish a lead early and hang on to it.  The Trojans continue to be without their main low post precense in Mike Smith (6-7, 295) and that will help the Owls cause dramatically.  The match-ups are consistent.

Calling for, what will assuredly be, an upset when the official line is announced.

FAU - 3