2020 C-USA TOURNAMENT THREAD: FAU vs. ODU - First Round
What: No. 9 Florida Atlantic (16-15, 8-10) vs. No. 8 Old Dominion (13-18, 9-9)
When: Wednesday, March 11th, @ 7:00 PM Eastern
Where: Ford Center at The Star
Series: The Monarchs own a 8-2 edge over the Owls, including taking both of this season's contests.
TV: None
Stream: ESPN+ *Fee
Radio: FoxSports 640
Live Stats: Here
ODU Team Site: Here
ODU at a Glance:
Offense - 68.6 PPG, 41% FG, 29% 3PT
Defense - 66.4 PPGA, 40% FGA, 33% 3PTA
Rebounding - 40.4 RPG Monarchs, 33.9 RPG Opponents
Notables
Old Dominion returns to the C-USA Tournament hoping to defend their 2019 title. Although their No. 8 seed is disappointing considering the Monarchs were selected to finish fourth in the C-USA Preseason Poll, ODU's 2-2 record in Bonus Play gives Head Coach Jeff Jones hope for another title push.
The Monarchs upended the Owls twice this year, 65-55 and 85-80, with the latter coming in a Bonus Play overtime thriller. Both contests were in Norfolk, where the Monarchs post 10-4 record, 7-2 against conference opponents.
In ODU's pair of victories over FAU, guard AJ Oliver drained 21 points in the win on January 25th before guard Malik Curry scored 29 points in the OT win in Bonus Play.
UAB downed the Monarchs in the regular season finale for both teams, 72-63. Curry and Oliver both drained a team-high 16 points in the losing effort.
Forward Aaron Carver was named to the 2020 C-USA All-Defensive on Monday thanks mostly to his rebounding ability. His 10.2 RPG paces this conference and is the 26th RPG in the nation. The senior also leads the team in defensive boards (7.35 PG) and blocks (19 total).
If there is a weakness on this ODU team, it has been their ability to win games away from home. Overall, ODU is 3-14 when playing outside of Norfolk. That includes 0-3 at a neutral court, and 2-7 when playing at their C-USA rivals.
FAU at a Glance:
Offense - 71.3 PPG, 43% FG, 32% 3PT
Defense - 69.9 PPGA, 44% FGA, 34% 3PTA
Rebounding - 36.8 RPG Owls, 35 RPG Opponents
Notables
It is now do-or-die time for FAU Basketball. The Owls have their ticket to the C-USA Tournament as the No. 9 seed, the very position that the league's head coaches predicted FAU to finish in the C-USA Preseason Poll.
Historically, conference tournaments have been unkind to the Owls. A win on Wednesday will be FAU's first non-play-in conference tournament victory since 2008.
Moreover, it would also mark the first neutral site conference tournament win since coming away victorious in the 2002 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship via a 76-75 thriller over Georgia State. That 2002 conference tournament title gave the Owls their lone NCAA Tournament bid.
This will be the second time the Owls and Monarchs have faced each other in the conference tournament. Previously, ODU ended FAU's 2016 season with a decisive 72-46 victory in Birmingham. The Owls entered that tournament after winning their play-in game over UTSA before their defeat at the hands of the eventual 2016 C-USA Tournament runner-ups.
Back now in 2020, the Owls hope the third time is the charm against ODU after falling in their previous two battles: 65-55 and 85-80 OT. Forward Jailyn Ingram was FAU's points leader in both losses, scoring 16 and 19 points, respectively.
In their regular season finale, the Owls succumbed to Marshall 94-82. Yet again, Ingram led the team in scoring with 19 points.
The loss to Marshall was FAU's second straight in which the Owls scored 80+ points in a losing effort. Before that two game slump, the Owls were 9-0 when hitting the 80 point plateau. Moreover, those very losses forced FAU to finish with a 2-2 Bonus Play record.
Guard Cornelius "Scuta" Taylor continues to lead the Owls in scoring with 11.8 PPG. It should be a surprise to nobody that Ingram is not far behind at 11.7 PPG.
Forward Karlis Silins joins guards Richardson Maitre and Michael Forrest as the Owls' top three sharp shooters from beyond the arc. The three shoot 42.5%, 39%, and 38.5% respectively.
Opening Line: FAU +2
Additional Links:
2019-2020 FAU Basketball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest
2019-2020 FAU Basketball Season Discussion Thread - FAU Owl's Nest
🌟 It's SHOWTIME! 🌟
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
Here's #FAU's #CUSA Tournament First Round Starting 🖐️vs. #ODU:
G - Kenan Blackshear
G - Cornelius "Scuta" Taylor
G - Richardson Maitre
F - Jailyn Ingram
F - Karlis Silins
Let's go Owls! 👌
And there's the tip for the opening game of the 2020 #CUSA Tournament from the Frisco Star!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
Scuta Taylor drains the first FG of the game with a three ball.
Richardson Maitre gets on the board with a three of his own.#FAU leads #ODU 6-3 at the 15:33 mark of the first half. pic.twitter.com/zQLFbwipzC
Ohhhhh baby, the Owls are FEELIN' it!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
Ingram drains THREE STRAIGHT three-pointers before Rich Maitre hits this beautiful shot in the paint.#ODU is forced to call a timeout after an 8-0 #FAU run. And look at that Owl bench get pumped for their teammates! pic.twitter.com/WuDKwP8rGr
Oooooof... #ODU can't miss.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
The Monarchs have made 9 straight FGs to draw level with the Owls.
We're knotted up at 30 with 2:30 remaining in the half.
I don't understand how this team plays so poorly in the final moments of the first half. It's been a consistent issue all season.
HALFTIME. #FAU 32 - #ODU 32.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
Monarchs take a brief lead for the first time tonight before Scuta Taylor draws the Owls level again just before the break.
If it wasn't for Taylors jumper, the Owls would've taken a near 5 minute scoring drought into the locker-room. pic.twitter.com/xyY3DwDn9a
#FAU's Jailyn Ingram and Richardson Maitre own a game-high 11 points as we hit the half.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 11, 2020
Both players are 3-4 from the arc.#ODU is 60% FG to FAU's 39%. Monarchs are also out-rebounding the Owls 16-10.
That's Karlis Silins drawing #FAU level with #ODU at 42.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 12, 2020
Owls have been avoiding the paint for the most part, but they're seeing some opportunities as the Monarchs switch to a 2-3 zone. pic.twitter.com/CcbF5kMmVH
🗣️ GO on RICH!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 12, 2020
Why would you leave him open!? Matire has a game-high 16 points after hitting his fourth three-pointer of the night.
We're knotted up (again) at 50, with 7:00 remaining. pic.twitter.com/tbvocb2VWG
💥 BOOM! 💥 OWLS LEAD!
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 12, 2020
Ingram gives #FAU their first lead since the first half as he drains his fourth three-pointer of the contest.
The Boys from Boca lead 53-50 with five minutes remaining. pic.twitter.com/MtleXUbW5A
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