SERIES THREAD: MTSU @ FAU - March, 4 & 5, 2021
What: Middle Tennessee (5-15, 3-11) vs. Florida Atlantic (10-9, 5-5)
When: Thursday, March 4, @ 6:00 PM
Friday, March 5, @ 6:00 PM
Where: Abessinio Court at FAU Arena
Series: The Blue Raiders own a 19-6 all-time record over the Owls. FAU can take solace in winning the previous two meetings.
MTSU Team Site: Here
TV: None
Stream: LiveCUSA on Facebook *Subscription Required
Radio: FoxSports 640
Live Stats: Here
MTSU at a Glance:
Offense - 63.3 PPG, 39.7% FG, 33.3% 3PT
Defense - 70.4 PPGA, 46.9% FGA, 30.7% 3PTA
Rebounding - 34 RPG Blue Raiders, 35.3 RPG Opponents
Notables
Middle Tennessee Head Coach Nick McDevitt is amidst the second year of a long-term rebuild of the Blue Raiders basketball program. In his first season in Murfreesboro, McDevitt's Blue Raiders finished with a 8-23 (4-14) record.
The Blue Raiders are amidst a four game losing streak after sweeping an inconsistent Charlotte program in mid-February.
Last time out, MTSU shot 33% from the field in a horrid shooting day that saw them getting swept by Old Dominion. The Blue Raiders succumbed to the improving ODU team, losing 73-60.
MTSU's leading scorer, guard Dontrell Shuler, is out for the remainder of the season due to injury. Now, guard Jordan Davis leads the team in scoring with 11.4 PPG. He's the only active Blue Raiders averaging double digits.
FAU at a Glance:
Offense - 79.4 PPG, 46.7% FG, 38% 3PT
Defense - 67.8 PPGA, 42.4% FGA, 35.8% 3PTA
Rebounding - 40.4 RPG Owls, 32 RPG Opponents
Notables
The Owls are getting hot at the right time, coming off a two-game sweep against Southern Miss on the road. Neither of those wins were easy as the Golden Eagles scratched their way back into both contests. Still, Dusty May's squad turned it on when it was needed the most.
The sweep over USM snapped a four-game losing streak for the Owls. During that time, FAU saw three series cancelled due to issues with COVID-19.
Three Owls average more that ten points per game. Forward Jailyn Ingram paces the team with 13.4 PPG and 5.8 rebounds per game. Guards Michael Forrest and BJ Greenlee are giving chase with 11.8 and 10.3 PPG, respectively.
FAU will face MTSU after originally scheduled to face the Blue Raiders in the opening series of the C-USA slate. Due to COVID-19 issues within the MTSU program, the series was rescheduled to this week.
This will be the last regular season matchup for FAU before the Owls head to Texas for the C-USA Tournament next week.
Latest Line: FAU -8
This is more of a safety measure to protect their star man before the tournament in Frisco. "That's the ultimate goal, to win four games in four days and find a way into the NCAA Tournament," Coach May said as he closed the presser.
There is no place like home! @FAUMBB is set for the final home series of the season. #FAU's Starting 5⃣ 🆚 #MTSU ⬇️
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2021
G - BJ Greenlee
G - Mike Forrest
G - Kenan Blackshear
F - Everett Winchester
C - Karlis Silins#GoOwls 👌 pic.twitter.com/ym1qahMcR0
Silins score his sixth with this layup, but it's true freshman Nicholas Boyd who leads all scorers with seven.
Owls working hard to offset the aggressive defense from the Blue Raiders.
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2021
BJ ➡️ Mike ➡️ Karlis for the bucket!#FAU leads #MTSU, 19-8 | 9:30 1H pic.twitter.com/i1XbJLsbMU
HALFTIME | #FAU 37 - #MTSU 24
— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 4, 2021
The Owls saw their once 17-point lead shrink to single digits before @2easyJ_ drained this GORGEOUS jumper. 💦💦@kbuckets11 is quietly having a strong outing with a game-high 9 points. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FOCktpiv9e
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