Northwood (0-0, 0-0) @ FAU (0-0, 0-0) When : Thursday, Nov. 4th – 7:00PM EST Where : Boca Raton, FL – The Burrow TV : None Live Video : None Internet Broadcast : fausports.com Live Stats : FAU Gametracker Northwood Team Site : Here Probable Starters : Northwood G Jonathan Dunn G Tyrone Davis F Theirno Agne F Patrick Horstmann F Courtney Walters FAU G Ray Taylor G Alex Tucker G Greg Gantt F Kore White F Brett Royster The Series Thursday’s meeting will be the first ever between the two programs. Northwood at a Glance The Seahawks are led by legendary coach Rollie Massimino , who guided Villinova to a NCAA National Championship in the 1985-85 season. They opened exhibition play with a 104-62 loss to #5 Pittsburgh last Sunday that saw the Panthers commit just nine turnover on the night. Northwood fell behind 23-0 before making their first basket of the game at the 11:33 mark of the first half. “We didnt defend as well as I thought we could, but we couldnt set up our press in the first 10 minutes because we couldnt score. We just couldnt make a shot in the first 10 minutes”, said Massimino. Guard Jonathan Dunn paced the Seahawks with 24 points, while forward Courtney Walters chipped in 12 points and seven boards. Dunn, who a 6’3″ guard who joined the roster in June, is being counted on heavily for the Seawolves this season. Prior to transferring, he earned NJCAA All-Region XII First Team at Owens Community College where he averaged 24 ppg. The other guy to keep an eye on is Patrick Horstmann. He was quiet against Pitt going just 2-of-11 from the floor, but didn’t receive Sun Conference First Team All-Conference, and Sun Conference Freshman of the Year in 2009-10 for nothing. Northwood is ranked No. 12 nationally in the NAIA Division II preseason coaches poll, and participate in the Sun Conference . FAU at a Glance The Owls will tip-off exhibition action a little earlier than last year on Thursday night against Northwood with the first of two pre-season games. What will be different this time around is some experience under the belt, as FAU had a seven freshman lining the roster to start 2009-10. “We’re going to have a good, and exciting team”, said Coach Mike Jarvis. “We’re still a little young, but that’s no excuse, those freshman are now sophomores.” To get his squad adjusted back into game play quickly, Jarvis dialed up an old friend in that of Massimino. “I told our kids already that we are playing against a Hall of Fame coach”, said Jarvis. “We will see things probably that we may not see until January or February when we play against Rollie’s team.” “The only way you better better is by playing against somebody who is going to make you better.” The game should be an entertaining preview of this years squad, as the Owls look to build upon last season’s turn around in win percentage. They will have plenty of scoring options at the guard spot in returners Greg Gantt (15.6 ppg), Shavar Richardson (8.4 ppg), and Ray Taylor (14.2 ppg), but Jarvis wants to see defense improvement immediately, as the Owls gave up more than they scored in 2009-10 by a slim margin at 73.5 to 73.4 ppg. Hitting the hardwood for the first time tomorrow will be newcomer Kore White , who has drawn considerable praise from Jarvis and whom he feels will make the Owls considerably better as a whole, in all facets. “I think that Kore has the potential to be, if not the best, one of the three best four men in our league by all means”, Jarvis said. “For us, I believe he’s going to be the ‘X Factor’.” “Tremendously talented athlete and basketball player…he would have played for any team I have coached, he’s that good.” Guards Gantt and Taylor received 2nd team All Conference pre-season recognition, while defensive presence Brett Royster got the nod for 3rd team. Royster (10 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.0 bpg) should land once again as defensive player of the year when it is all said and done in March, but is being counted on to produce more offensively as well. Latest Line : N/A Owl’s Nest Prediction Although it’s an exhibition, this game is no cake walk. Things could be close early on given the “newness” of the season, but expect the Owls to come away with a solid win as Jarvis likely tinkers a bit with line-ups and personnel at times. FAU -10+
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