Owls Set to Host 2022 Paradise Invitational



What: 20212Paradise Invitational

When: November 17th to November 21st, 2022

The Teams: FAU (2-1), Bryant (3-0), Detroit Mercy

Where: The Burrow - Abessinio Court at FAU Arena

Stream: CUSA.tv

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here


Tournament Schedule

Game #1: FAU vs Bryant Nov 17th @ 7:00 PM
Game #2: FAU vs Detroit Mercy Nov 19th @ 6:00 PM
Game #3: Bryant vs Detroit Mercy Nov 21st @ 12:00 PM


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 75 PPG, 45% FG, 41% 3PT

Defense - 67 PPGA, 40% FGA, 33% 3PTA

Rebounding - 39 RPG, 38 RPG Opponents


Owl Notables

FAU will start off tournament play with the Boca Raton MegaBowl against Bryant on Thursday night at 7:00 PM. The event is based on the famous 2008 sports comedy film 'Semi-Pro' starring Will Ferrell. There will be a Semi-Pro themed poster giveaway for the first 200 people in attendance. There is also a photo opportunity with the famous eight-foot MegaBowl trophy.

At 2-1 on the young season, the Owls are off to a better than expected start. After setting down Lynn in a rout at FAU Arena to begin the year, they split their SEC twofer dropping a close contest until the end at Ole Miss before concluding with a thrilling 76-74 upset of Florida in Gainesville.

Sidelined for the first two games with an undisclosed issue, guard Mike Forrest made this most of his return against the Gators, dropping 20 points which included a 4-of-7 showing from behind the arc.



Sophomore guard Johnell Davis also had a hot hand while posting his first career double-double (18 pts, 10 rebounds) and is currently leading the team in triples with eight made.

After netting 20 points against Ole Miss, center Vlad Goldin was relatively quiet in scoring against Florida until it mattered, and had a pair of critical baskets down the stretch as well as some key defensive plays.

The Owls' depth has been a factor so far this year, and should continue to be rewarding facet of their game plan - especially against teams without that afford at their disposal.

The FAU bench outpaced the Gators' 34-5 during Monday's win.


Bryant at a Glance

Offense - 118 PPG, 59% FG, 47% 3PT

Defense - 55 PPGA, 35% FGA, 28 % 3PTA

Rebounding -  49 RPG , 27 RPG Opponents


Bulldog Notables

Bryant and Florida Atlantic are meeting for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs are off to a 3-0 start for the first time in DI program history, but one victory was by way of forfeit. The Bulldogs earned a 89-70 victory last Friday at Dartmouth, outscoring the Big Green 23-2 over the final 5:30.

Guard Sherif Gross-Bullock was named the America East Player of the Week on Nov. 14 after averaging 24.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and 3.5 spg in two wins. He scored a career-high 27 points in Bryant's win at Dartmouth.

Fellow guard Earl Timberlake recorded his first-career double-double in Bryant's win at Dartmouth, finishing with 19 pts and 12 reb. He added five assists. He set career highs in both points and rebounds.

Bryant is ranked No. 22 by Mid-Major Madness and No. 23 by College Insider. Thursday's game at FAU is the first of five games Bryant will play against teams that are either ranked in the mid-major top 25 or are in the top 100 according to kenpom.com. The Bulldogs will also face Cincinnati, Tulane, Liberty and Towson.


Detroit Mercy at a Glance (as of Nov 15th)

Offense - 80 PPG, 44% FG, 37% 3PT

Defense - 68 PPGA, 42% FGA, 34% 3PTA

Rebounding -  41 RPG, 33 RPG Opponents


Titan Notables

Detroit Mercy men's basketball team will have a mid-week clash against the Bobcats as the Titans battle Ohio Wednesday night at home. They enter the game at 1-1 on the season, routing Rochester in the season opener, 93-65, before falling at Boston College 70-66 despite a career-high 22 points from junior Jayden Stone.

The Titans have faced off against the Owls two times before (2013, 1993), walking away with home court wins on both occasions. This will be their first trip to FAU Arena while they they will play Bryant, Charlotte and Washington State for the first time ever in the 2022-23 season.

Detroit Mercy currently has four players on its roster that were top 100 prospects coming out of high school. They are also loaded with transfers from successful power five and mid major programs. Those include TJ Moss - South Carolina, Gerald Liddell - Texas, Damezi Anderson - Indiana, A.J. Oliver - Clemson, Arashma Parks - Temple, Jordan Phillips - Arkansas, and Buay Koka - Tulane.

Graduate senior Antoine Davis was named the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year in the coaches' preseason poll. As of November 15th, he is leading the team with 21.5 points per game. As a unit Davis is one of four primary scorers in a rotation that focuses on three point play.

The Titans' non-conference road schedule will see them travel 5,230 miles, which includes 1,687 to Washington State and 1,116 to Florida Atlantic.

Sources Cited: Bryant, and Detroit Mercy Sports Information

No changes in the Starting5 for FAU tonight:

G Boyd
G Greenlee
G Davis
G Martin
C Goldin

Go Owls 🦉🏀

On the line in the Boca Raton Mega Bowl:

Owls are anywhere from 7-9 point favorites tonight.

17:43 1st

FAU 0 BU 6

Horrible start for the Owls.

O-fer everything, and Goldin fouls less than a minute into the contest.

Man, Rosado goes up for a dunk and the ball gets stuck.

So far that kind of night!

14:37

FAU 8 BU 8

This team is trash, we should be blowing them out of the gym.

The culprit:

Owls are 2-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-4 from 3PT.

Bout time, Forrest for Three  

11:05 1st

FAU 15  BU 12

Points are starting to trickle in, but nothing like the other night in the swamp.

Goldin is back in and immediately gets a lay-up.

7:04 1st

FAU 19  BU 22-19

An 8-2 Bulldog run prompts Coach May to call a T/O.

Let's Go!