FAU Takes On Blazers and 49ers


What: #19 FAU (21-1, 11-0) vs. UAB (15-7, 6-5) | Charlotte (13-8, 4-6)

When: Thur, Jan. 2nd, @ 7:00 PM | Sat. Feb 4th, @ 4:00 PM

Where: Barton Arena | Halton Arena

Series: Blazers lead 12-4 over the Owls, while FAU holds a 7-6 edge over the 49ers. FAU beat both teams earlier this season.


TV Both Games: CBS Sports Network | ESPN+

Radio Both Games: FoxSports 640

Live Stats Both Games: Here

Lines Both Games: UAB FAU +1 | Charlotte FAU -3.5


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 78 PPG, 47% FG, 37% 3PT

Defense - 64 PPGA, 40% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 40 RPG Owls, 33 RPG Opponents


Owl Notables

FAU continues to gain national recognition with their rise from 21st to 19th in the AP Top 25 Poll and landing 20th (previously 24th) in USA Today's Coaches Poll this week, but head coach Dusty May said there is more work to do as the team tries to keep their program-record winning streak of 20 games alive.

"It feels great and we're garnering a lot of attention, but there's so much more work to be done," May said. "All of our goals are in front of us, but we have to stay the course and stay focused and continue playing good basketball."

May is aware of some struggles the team had in Saturday's victory over Western Kentucky. He noted how they went through some scoring droughts, especially when junior center Vlad Goldin got into foul trouble.

"Anytime Vlad was in foul trouble, we're out of a rotation and we're playing against really good teams. We want to defend, we want to rebound, and be as efficient as we can offensively and whether that's scoring five in a row and then missing four or making every other one, as long as we're efficient at the end of the day, then we feel like we're gonna be in position to win," May said. "We do have to find a way to protect him a little bit better and he has to do a good job of not having any unnecessary fouls."



Streak Updates

• Best start to a season at 21-1
• Most consecutive wins in history at 20
• Home win streak of 14 games (record 15, set 1/3/91 to 1/2/92)

Sophomore guard Brandon Weatherspoon (photo above) was crucial in the win over the Hilltoppers. He led the team in scoring with 14 points, which included some shots from deep as he is making them at a 34% rate this season.

"He was always a threat on the perimeter. The areas he's improved the most are guarding the ball one-on-one. Last year, he struggled in that area and this year, he's become an elite on-ball defender; he rarely gives up an angle," May said. "He's learned how to use his body and positioning better. He's more consistent with his jump shot but his decision-making, driving and kicking, when to shoot, when to pass, and when to drive have all improved dramatically."

Weatherspoon's performance came in a game where sophomore guard Johnell Davis was limited to just nine points following a 25-point outing against Middle Tennessee. May connected that to the team's balance at the offensive end.

"We've proven night in and night out that different guys are going to step up," May said. "I think [Johnell] now is kind of getting that Alijah [Martin] and Michael [Forrest] treatment where people aren't leaving him and face-guarding him. So now the challenge for us is to continue to help him find ways to score but also use him as a screener, use him as a passer, and use him as a decoy so we continue to be efficient offensively and add versatility."

FAU will want to set the tone early on with plenty of physicality inside the paint. Grabbing 40 rebounds a game, they have to showcase that strength to keep UAB and Charlotte at bay. For the first time in recent memory they will not be favored in  C-USA contest, adding more intrigue to the contest's eventual outcome.


UAB Team Site: Here


UAB at a Glance

Offense - 82 PPG, 45% FG, 35% 3PT

Defense - 70 PPGA, 41% FGA, 34% 3PTA

Rebounding - 42 RPG, 35 RPG Opponents


Blazer Notables

Despite an inconsistent start in conference play, UAB men's basketball got themselves back on track this past week.

UAB got much-needed victories over Louisiana Tech and Rice with excellent defensive performances by only allowing 55.5 points in those two contests, as they stand strong with an 11-2 record at home.

The Owls know there will be plenty of difficulty going against UAB on the road. They needed a career night from Johnell Davis to escape with the victory at home on Jan. 5, with May saying defense will be the main priority heading into the rematch.

"Credit to UAB, they made some very difficult shots. Ledarrius Brewer, that was his first game back and he played extremely well. Fortunately for us, [KJ] Buffen was in some foul trouble, but they have several very capable offensive players," May said. "Defensively, we're going to have to fix a few things from game one, and just do everything a little bit better."

FAU has to be very careful with Blazer forward KJ Buffen. Having won C-USA's Player of the Week on Jan. 30, Buffen averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in last week's games which saw him drop a dominant 20-point, 10-rebound double-double against Rice.

The overall Blazer offense continues to be productive despite being without their best player in Jordan "Jelly" Walker. They lead the conference in scoring as they also rank 17th in the country at 82 points per game, so the Owls must be smart defensively if they are to disrupt UAB's high-powered offense.

Walker will likely be a game time decision on Thursday night.

“We’re doing everything we can to get me back out there as fast as possible,” Walker said. “All I can do is take it a day at a time.”


Charlotte Team Site: Here


Charlotte at a Glance

Offense - 73 PPG, 45% FG, 38% 3PT

Defense - 69 PPGA, 41% FGA, 36% 3PTA

Rebounding - 34 RPG, 37 RPG Opponents


49er Notables

Charlotte men's basketball were quite competitive in their road contests against Western Kentucky and Rice last week.

The 49ers enjoyed a 27-point game from guard Brice Williams in the 75-71 win over the Hilltoppers before falling in a nail-biting 65-63 defeat at Rice. Hosting FIU first on Thursday and then FAU on Saturday, they defend their home-court well with a fierce 8-1 record.

While the Owls are focusing on Thursday's contest against UAB before looking at Charlotte, Dusty May is aware of the 49ers' strengths that can pose some challenges for them.

"We know they're tough, they're physical, they're really good at home, and their bigs present a number of challenges because they can shoot the ball," May said.

Even as the 49ers have a lacking offense at 68 points per game (third-worst in C-USA), they more than make up for it with their defense. They allow just 61.6 points as the second best defense in the conference behind North Texas as they rank 17th in the country.

Charlotte continues to be accurate with their shot selection. They top C-USA and hold the 25th spot nationally in field-goal percentage at 48%, so the Owls have to persistent with their defense if they want to make the 49ers struggle with their shooting on Saturday.

Biggest game of the year…until the next one 

They will have up to three players out, with Walker being the one most care about.

However, if Ladarrius Brewer (possible suspension) doesn't play that is huge.

He dropped 20 against Rice and played 32 minutes.

Walker is dressed and participating in pregame warm ups. Looks like he is back.

Presenting the starters for your 19TH-RANKED FAU squad as they face UAB:

G Boyd
G Greenlee
G Gaffney
G Weatherspoon
C Goldin

Go Owls!🦉🏀

Walker is NOT in the starting 5 for UAB.

Was told he dressed game before least, and participating in warm ups, and ended up not playing.

We'll see if he makes it back.

Game hasn't even started (no surprise there) and the CBSSN announcer already called us FIU.

Just T-R-A-S-H.

And here comes Walker, so he's back.

10-2 run for the Owls!

15-9 FAU on top

13:45 1st

Walker has taken two triples, both have been bricks.