ULM (5-13) @ FAU (4-15)
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009
7:00 PM EST

MEDIA COVERAGE

640 AM with audio links available via FAUSPORTS.com. Even Cohn (play-by-play) will call the game for WFTL.  Sanchez Hughley will provide color analysis.  Live scoring via GAMETRACKER and an additional video feed can also be accessed on FAUSPORTS.com.

Radio Link

Radio Broadcast: FOX 640AM - ULM vs FAU 7:00PM

GAME PROMOTIONS

All kids wearing their youth league basketball jersey receive $1 admission... "All-U-Can-Eat" Reserved Seats (hot dog, nachos, popcorn and soft drinks) are just $10... FREE food vouchers good for a hotdog, popcorn or nachos for the first 100 FAU students... FREE Drink for the first 100 fans. For tickets or more information call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.

THE SERIES

The Owls are  2-0 all-time versus ULM, having played played ULM once in each of the past two years. FAU overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to beat ULM 77-72 last season in Monroe . Sanchez Hughley - who is sitting out this season due to injury - scored a career-high 18 points for FAU in that win last year. FAU won the first-ever meeting between the two schools, 73-62, in Boca Raton on January 24, 2007.

FAU AT A GLANCE

The Owls had started the season 3-1 for the first time in its 15-year Division I history but have since lost 14 of 15.  Point guard Carderro Nwoji is scoring a team-high 15.6 ppg in the Owl's last five games.  Overall leading scorer Paul Graham III (16.6 ppg) is expected to play Thursday after sitting out Saturday's game at UNT.  The Owls had just three available bench players during a 69-60 setback at North Texas on Saturday, one of which included walk-on Chris Coleman (8 points, 7 rebounds) . Depleted by injury and eligibility, first-year head coach Mike Jarvis inherited a team that is currently without three of its top players, including preseason Sun Belt Conference "Player of the Year" Carlos Monroe (injured), sophomore guard Xavier Perkins (eligibility) and returning starter Sanchez Hughley (INJ). Brett Royster is coming off his first career double-double, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against UNT.  He currently ranks second in the league in blocked shots per game (2.21).

ULM AT A GLANCE

Former Alabama assistant Orlando Early is in fourth season as ULM head coach. Two years ago Early was named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year after guiding ULM - picked to finish last in the seven-team SBC West Division - to an 11-7 divisional record and co-West Division title. However, last season ULM finished 4-14 against the Sun Belt and last in the SBC West. Similar to FAU, the Warhawks (5-13) have been successful at home, but struggle on the road. ULM brings a 14-game road losing streak into Thursday night's game and will be without senior all-conference guard Tony Hooper (INJ) for the remainder of the season.  During its non-conference schedule ULM defeated Morehead State (56-54) and Stephen F. Austin (60-58) at home while losing road games to Mississippi State (78-49) and Auburn (78-55). The Warhawks score 64.7 points per game, led by sophomore forward Gilbert Lawrence (13.8 ppg/5.7 rpg).

LATEST LINE

OWL'S NEST PREDICTION

Mirror images?  FAU has had to battle adversity all season long.  "Don't let their record fool you", or something along those lines, has been quoted more than once this season.  Like the Owls,  ULM has also had to overcome adversity.  The loss of Tony Hooper has just proved too much at times.  Recently, the Warhawks gave Arkansas State all they could handle before falling on the raod 65-62.  This was precluded by a narrow 71-70 home loss to Troy Saturday night.  Both Teams are in the same boat; or should we say basement:  Currently, FAU is last in the Sun Belt East division standings (0-7), while ULM is last in the SBC West (1-6).

However, FAU is the better Team overall.  Owl's win, and break the 10 game losing snap.

FAU -5