FAU Men's Hoops Set to Host Ospreys


What: Florida Atlantic (4-4) vs. North Florida (2-7)

When: Sunday, December 5th, @ 2:00 PM

Where: The Burrow - Abessinio Court at FAU Arena

Series: FAU is perfect at 5-0 versus North Florida, including a 79-77 affair just under a year ago in Jacksonville.


TV: CUSA.tv

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here


North Florida Team Site: Here


North Florida at a Glance

Offense - 69 PPG, 42% FG, 37% 3PT

Defense - 73 PPGA, 44% FGA, 32% 3PTA

Rebounding -  32 RPG, 40 RPG Opponents


Osprey Notables

North Florida is off to a slow start at 2-7, with some brutal road opponents being the main culprit: Kentucky, UCLA, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Arizona State. Their two wins have come at home to both Webber International, and most recently Edward Waters in a lopsided 103-57 Thursday night affair.

Projected A-SUN all conference forward Carter Hendricksen is paving the way offensively with 12.7 ppg, and in rebounding (4.9 rpg), and is tied for three pointers made per outing for the Ospreys (2.7 pg). Their other big, 6-10 forward Jadyn Parker, is third on the squad in scoring with 8.0 ppg, and not far away from Henrickson in grabs with 4.3 rpg.

At the guard spot, sophomore Emmanuel Adedoyin is 20-of-35 from long range (57%) and has dished out the rock 24 times while offering the squads best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5-1).

As a team, North Florida presents a threat to be mindful of from behind the arc at 37% on the year, but they are being outrebounded by nearly eight boards a night on average. Obviously this is skewed given the above road gauntlet and they will look to improve that number against the Owls. Overall, UNF likes to mix it up a bit from both inside and out, so FAU will face a similar attack to that which they saw in North Dakota earlier.


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 79 PPG, 47% FG, 34% 3PT

Defense - 74 PPGA, 46% FGA, 41% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38 RPG, 32 RPG Opponents


Owl Notables

Eight games into the 2021-22 slate, FAU finds themselves sitting at .500 after a 83-73 payback win against in state foe Stetson last Wednesday, while looking to start an upward trajectory in the win column with continued favorable competition on the near horizon.

They will host both North Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic as they put a wrap on what has been the longest home stand (nine games) in memorable history of program scheduling, before turning attention to Virginia Commonwealth in a challenging road contest.

So far total point production is about the same as it was against last season's average, and ball protection is up to the tune of nearly two less turnovers. But they are collecting 2.5 rebounds less against the opposition, and earning nearly one less takeaway per game.

Since the Miami contest, the Owls have shown steady improvement from long range, increasing their connect rate by 7% overall. Guards Mike Forrest (16.0 ppg) and Bryan Greenlee (9.4 ppg) are both over the 40% mark, while Elijah Martin (13.7 ppg) is nearby at a hair under 35%. Forrest is also listed nationally (15th) in threes made with 26 to his credit.

Florida Atlantic is outscoring opponents overall in both halves of play on average, but has enjoyed a better differential in the second period on the year, edging out the competition by 31 points versus 15 for the first.


Latest Line: FAU -7


Additional Links:

2021-22 FAU Men's Basketball Season Results and Discussion

GALLERY: FAU Arena Concepts from 2021 Men's and Women's Basketball Media Luncheon

2021-2022 FAU Basketball Schedule - FAU Owl's Nest

Sparse crowd here at FAU Area with 5:55 until game time, but the cheerleaders, dance team, and band are in full effect.

Starting Five:

GAME TIME: #FAU vs #UNF

Starting FIVE for @FAUMBB 🌴🏀🌴
G @bgreenlee21
G @m_ke1135
G Batumba Baruti
G @martin_alijah
F Vlad Goldin#GoOwls 🦉 pic.twitter.com/ejUZm9B9He

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 5, 2021

11:02 FAU 17  UNF 16

FAU races out to a 12-4 lead but #UNF storms back to nearly even it up. Greenlee with 5 PTS.

Let's GO 🦉🦉🦉

7:41 1st: #FAU 27 #UNT 18

10-2 RUN FOR THE OWLS!

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/48CKaaAf3M

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 5, 2021

HALFTIME:

FAU 39  North Florida 29

Owls shoot 51.5% for the 1st half. Forrest 8 PTS, Greenlee (photo) 7 PTS. FAU has a 20-12 edge off the glass.

STATS AT THE HALF:

A Greenlee THREE completes a 7-0 RUN by FAU to stat the 2nd half and the Ospreys call time!

16:15 2nd: 46-29 Owls 🏀

11:40 2nd:  FAU 52  UNF 33

The Owls are in FULL CONTROL and battling down low. Rosado (photo) with 5 PTS, 2RB off the bench.

7:49 2nd: FAU  58 UNF 37

MAKE IT A 20 SPOT.

Coach May has the boys ready to play - BOOK IT.