Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Skip navigation

GAME THREAD: Southern Miss vs FAU - 03/02/14 @ 2:00 PM

Add topic

Post




What: Southern Miss (24-5, 11-3 C-USA) vs FAU (10-19, 5-9 C-USA)

When: Sunday, March 2nd @ 2:00 PM

Where: FAU Arena

TV: None

Live Video: Here *FEE

Radio: ESPN 106.3

Live Stats: Here

Golden Eagles Team Site: Here


Probable Starters:


Southern Miss

G Neil Watson 11.0 ppg
G Jerrold Brooks 9.6 ppg
G Matt Bingaya 5.8 ppg
F Aaron Brown 9.5 ppg
F Daveon Boardingham 10.6 ppg


FAU

G Marquan Botley 10.3 ppg
G DeAndre Johnson 6.8 ppg
G Jackson Trapp 9.0 ppg
F Kelvin Penn 4.4 ppg
C Justin Raffington 9.9 ppg


The series:

First meeting.


Southern Miss at a Glance:

Southern Miss closed out its home schedule with a 78-66 victory over FIU, improving to 14-0 at Reed Green Coliseum this season. This marks the second time in the last three years that USM has finished undefeated at home.

All nine players scored for the Golden Eagles. Freshman Matt Bingaya led all scorers with 20 points, six rebounds and four steals. Senior Daveon Boardingham scored 14 points and grabbed eight boards. Senior G Jerrold Brooks had 11 points and a career-high seven assists and junior Jeremiah Eason (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) added 10 points and five rebounds. Bingaya is averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds over the last two games.

Southern Miss leads Conference USA in scoring defense (63.2) and rebounding defense (29.1). Senior guard Neil Watson is fourth in the country in free throw percentage, connecting on 93.2% and the Golden Eagles are in the top 20 in the nation in steals (15th - 8.6) and rebounding margin (17th -+6.4).

At 11-3 in C-USA, Southern Miss is in a four way battle for first along side La. Tech, Middle Tennessee, and Tulsa. They are one of just 31 NCAA DI teams teams with at least 10 victories away from home.

Junior guard Aaron Brown is the reigning Conference USA Player of the Week for the Golden Eagles, who are looking to build on current their three game winning streak before concluding the regular season against Tulane next Thursday.


FAU at a Glance:

The Owls conclude the 2013-14 regular season with a pair of games at FAU Arena, starting off with the Golden Eagles. In what could be described as an ill timed and handled administrative move, they will unfortunately be overshadowed by the awkward resignation of Head Coach Mike Jarvis; who will nonetheless depart at season's end as the program's all-time winningest skipper.

Compounding matters is the status of Pablo Bertone, who Jarvis indicated would have to be "shelved" until further notice given the re-aggravation of an injury sustained while on the team's recent trip to Texas.

Finding a ready candidate to fill in for the conference leading scoring role is not something that an already plagued roster can absorb, and now with that comes a second set of challenges, both logistically, and emotionally.

Accordingly, expect a somewhat unique and small lineup at times against the Golden Eagles, and possible challenges in chemistry. Also expect FAU to need to score a minimum of 65 points, as the squad's 72-64 loss to Tulane last Wednesday moved the squad to a mark of 0-15 on the year after recording 64 points or less.

According to FAU SID Justin Johnson, Florida Atlantic is still mathematically alive for a first day bye at the 2014 C-USA men's basketball tournament. But in order for that to happen, they will need to win out against USM and Florida International next Thursday. They will also need help in the form of two of the following:

•   Two North Texas losses (UTEP, Tulsa)
•   Two UAB losses (La. Tech, Middle Tenn.)
•   One Charlotte loss (ODU, at Marshall)

As of right now the Owls would be the no. 12 seed and would play UTSA, who is the no. 13 seed. Given final results over the next five days, they can end up anywhere from the no. 8 seed to the no. 13 seed in the tournament.


Latest Line:

TBA


Owl's Nest Prediction

We would go 8 points had it not been for Bertone's status. Regardless, this is the top team in C-USA right now, and they are offering statistical advantages that are just too difficult to overlook.


Southern Miss -12

Back to the top

Post

I wasn't aware of this but FIU is not eligible for post season play. 

I hope that the fans show class tomorrow and Thursday and don't make any derogatory chants toward Jarvis.   What many have hope for has been done, no need to be classless.
Back to the top

Post

Tim FAU98 said

What many have hope for has been done, no need to be classless.
Posted On: Mar 1st 2014, 8:31 PM #329116

We went through the same thing with Schnellenberger…probably to be expected by some.

What we didn't go through was a botched handling of the resignation.

No one attempted to "fire" him in order to prompt the inevitable at season's end; which would be one thing Angelos has to his credit.

Of course Jarvis did go on record saying he wasn't going to retire, so that added a twist to the handling.
Back to the top

Post

On a side note, the line opened at -7.5 USM, and is now at -8.0.

Back to the top

Post

I would believe in an upset win at home but not without Pablo.
Back to the top

Post

Back to the top

Post

Everyone is accounted for aside from Bertone (who is in street clothes), and obviously Lacunza…

This ought to be an interesting first 20 minutes.

Will they come out flat, or on fire?

Back to the top

Post

Starters for Today:

Southern Miss

G Neil Watson
G Jerrold Brooks
G Matt Bingaya
F Aaron Brown
F Daveon Boardingham


FAU

G Marquan Botley
G DeAndre Johnson
G Jackson Trapp
C Dragan Sekelja
C Justin Raffington
Back to the top

Post

Sekelja gets the start...
Back to the top

Post

Golden Eagles control, head to the line off an early foul...
Back to the top
Control functions: