FAU MBB Enters Postseason Play for First Time Since 2011


What: Florida Atlantic (17-15, 8-10) @ Charleston Southern (17-15, 9-7)

When: Thursday, March 21th @ 7:00 PM Eastern

Where:

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Buccaneer Field House

Series: This will be the first ever match up between FAU and Charleston Southern.


Stream: CBS Sports Network

Radio: ESPN 106.3

Charleston Southern Team Site: Here



Buccaneers at a Glance:

Offense – 76.2 PPG, 43% FG, 35% 3PT

Defense – 69.7 PPGA, 43% FGA, 35% 3PTA

Rebounding - 35.7 PG, 36.1 PG Opponents


Notables

Charleston Southern enters the CIT after losing in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament to defending champs Radford. Prior to this loss, the Buccaneers were winners of four straight.

The Bucs are lead by G Christian Keeling, who averages just a shade under 19 PPG. On top of being the fourth best shooter in the Big South Conference, the junior averages 7 rebounds per game, also good for fourth in the BSC.

The young FAU backcourt will have their hands full with Keeling, as the 2019 Big South All-tournament first teamer has scored over 20 points in three of his last four games.

Head Coach Barclay Radebaugh will have to get creative inside against the Owls, as CSU's tallest rotational players are both 6'8" freshmen: Timmy Sellers and Duncan Alexander.

CSU's 16.6 forced turnovers per game ranks 11th in the nation. This in turns allows the Bucs to have the 15th best turnover margin in Division I basketball at +3.7.


Owls at a Glance:

Offense – 70.5 PPG, 41% FG, 32% 3PT

Defense - 68 PPGA, 41% FGA, 32% 3PTA

Rebounding - 39.5 PG, 35.6 PG Opponents


Notables

The Florida Atlantic Owls make their return to postseason play for the first time since 2011, where they were bounced from the first round of the NIT with a 85-62 loss at Miami.

This past week, the Owls lost a heartbreaker in the opening round of the C-USA Tournament to Louisiana Tech. Despite having the lead over FAU for just 35 seconds of game-time, the Bulldogs went on to the second round where they lost to eventual C-USA Tournament champions Old Dominion.

This Owls' loss was highlighted by a lack of offensive firepower, as FAU only had two double digit scorers: Xavian Stapleton (17) and Simeon Lepichev (13).

FAU will also need to take better care of the basketball, as their 13 turnovers against Louisiana Tech allowed the Bulldogs to complete their comeback. The turnover woes will only be exasperated against a turnover forcing machine like CSU.

The Owls will need better play from Anthony Adger if they want a chance to continue their season. Despite averaging 15.5 PPG this season, the senior is averaging just 9 PPG over his last 4 appearances.  


Opening Line: FAU +3.5

Niang replaces Lepichev and Maitre replaces Ellis. Besides those two changes, our starting lineup from last week remains constant.

Some changes to #FAU's Staring Five as the Owls begin their third postseason in program history.

G - Michael Forrest

G - Anthony Adger

G - RIchardson Maitre

F - Madiaw Niang

C - Karlis Silins

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019

Niang is going to be a very special player if he continues his development.

#CSU 11 - #FAU 7 | 14:57 1H

Adger hits an opening three to get us started, but it's been all Bucs from there. Niang finesses a layup and a jumper to cut the deficit.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019

It's been a while since Michael Forrest has balled like this!

🔥🔥🌲🌲🔥🌲🌲🔥🔥

IT'S A FORREST FIRE! The Freshman converts a pair of FGs, then knocks down a three pointer to give the Owls the lead.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019

Ooooof, Bucs take advantage of the Owls getting colder than the projected low in Charleston, SC tonight.

#CSU 28 - #FAU 18 | 3:44 1H

Bucs retake the lead thanks to the Owls converting just one of their last 12 FGs. Despite our size advantage, FAU only has 8 points in the paint.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019

Look at that gym…here's a team hosting us and they don't even have as nice a place as we do….

 

On a side note:

The BEST ARENA IN AMERICA won't fix 2-of-16 from the floor!

Let's go!

Listen, I'm willing to take four point deficit right now.

HALFTIME | #CSU 34 - #FAU 30

Owls STORM BACK right before the break thanks to a 10-2 run highlighted by a beautiful three-pointer from Stapleton.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 21, 2019

Here are some brief stats for y'all. The thing to take away is how we've been DOMINATED inside, despite having a massive size advantage.

The stats from the first half of #FAU vs. #CSU are.... not pretty.

FGs: 52% - 29% CSU
3FGs: 31% - 20% FAU
Rebs: 19 - 16 CSU
PIP: 16 - 8 CSU

Adger - TH 8 Pts, 2 3FG
Forrest - 7 Pts, GH 4 assists
Lepichev & Silins - TH 3 Rebs a piece

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 22, 2019

Now that's how you start the second half! Owls race out to retake the lead from the Bucs.

OWLS LEAD!

Adger has six straight, all a part of #FAU's 11-2 run. The senior originally from South Carolina is doing his best to make sure that this isn't the last game of his collegiate career.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) March 22, 2019

XAVIAN STAPLETON, ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!?

CSU retakes the lead, but the grad student ties the game at 34 a piece with a shot from Jacksonville!