What: FAU vs Charlotte
When: Wednesday, January 8th, 7:00 PM
Where: Halton Arena, Charlotte NC
Series: FAU leads 8-7
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Stats broadcast
Line: FAU – 6.5
Owls at a Glance
Offense – 82.8 PPG, 46.5% FG, 35.2% 3PT
Defense – 78.3 PPGA, 44% FGA, 39.4% 3PTA
Rebounding – 36.3 RPG Owls, 38.5 RPG Opponents
FAU Notes
FAU Men’s Basketball is back in action on Wednesday evening as they remain in North Carolina for a 7 PM tip-off against the 49ers. The Owls have remained in North Carolina since Saturday evening, however this squad has spent more than enough time on the road this season to be prepared to come out ready once the lights get bright at Halton arena.
The Owls head into this game with a bit of momentum as they snapped a 2 game skid with a thrilling road victory against ECU, a game in which they found their shot from beyond the arc, shooting 50% in the afternoon. It was a much needed performance from beyond the arc, however the Owls struggled on the glass and with some late game execution which made these last 2 practices crucial to build off the momentum.
The victory marked the first time this season the Owls opted to role with a different starting lineup, as Tre Carroll was inserted, while Matas Vokietaitis came off the bench and the move gave the Owls a much needed spark early on, as after starting down 14-2 against Memphis they opened the ECU game on a 15-2 run. While Carroll gave FAU the spark they needed offensively, the Owls lacked rebounding at times without their 7-footer and heading into the next matchup the starting lineup remains TBD.
The one thing that could be portrayed as a negative offensively for FAU was that after they converted 7 of 11 triples in the first half they only cashed in on 3 of 9 in the second half, however that was a sign of a major positive for this Owls offense. What led FAU to be successful in their 3 game win streak was their ability to get offense in a variety of different ways and against ECU and although they only scored 9 points from beyond the arc, they shot 57% from the field and scored 22 points in the paint.
Statistically for FAU, the only thing they struggle with on both ends of the court is rebounding, as they average an offensive rebound on 26.5% of possessions which is 278th, while they allow one on defense 32.6% of the time which is 295th. Outside of rebounding, the only other major weakness for FAU is their perimeter defense, as despite ECU shooting 26% from 3, the Owls are allowing teams to shoot 39.8% which is 359th in the nation.
In terms of positives for FAU, one thing that stood out against ECU was 23 total assists on the day and on the season FAU is averaging an assist on 57.9% of possession which is 68th in the nation. If FAU is able to continue to move the ball at a rate they were against ECU odds are the 3 point shooting will continue to improve as after a 2 game down stretch, the Owls perimeter shooting was on par with the early season performances that led to wins over Liberty and Oklahoma State and a near road upset against UCF.
The Owls are still led on the season by Kaleb Glenn, who is averaging 12.7 points per game, however the recent emergence of Tre Carroll has provided a major impact for FAU as the junior has scored 15 or more in 5 out of 6 straight games and is averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 55% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Another big factor in the Owls win over ECU was their ability to get scoring across the board with 8 players scoring 5 or more, including 14 and 17 point performances from Leland Walker and Ken Evans Jr and if FAU is able to continue to get contributions across the board, while also getting consistent out-puts from their guard trio of Walker, Evans Jr, and Kyky Tandy, this team could be dangerous in AAC play.
Charlotte has struggled this season and this game presents another winnable road matchup for FAU, however they will need to continue to get consistent perimeter shooting while also building on the solid perimeter defense they got against ECU. If FAU is able to get another hot start they got in the last matchup, while also improving on the offensive glass, this is a game which the Owls should win and leave North Carolina on a 2 game win streak.
49ers at a Glance
Offense – 68.7 PPG, 45.2% FG, 29.1% 3PT
Defense – 65.6 PPGA, 42.6% FGA, 31.5% 3PTA
Rebounding – 32.5 RPG Owls, 32.9 RPG Opponents
Charlotte Notes
Charlotte heads into this matchup on a 3 game losing streak as following a non-conference loss to Charleston on Christmas, the 49ers have dropped back to back AAC games, on the road to Rice and at home against Tulane. It has been an up and down year under second year Head Coach Aaron Fearne, as Charlotte sits at 7-8 and they have dropped some questionable games including at Home against LIU and ETSU.
A lack of consistent scoring has left Charlotte in a rough spot in their losses this season as despite being a normally gritty team, scoring 70 points or less in two-thirds of their games this season has left this team struggling at times. This is a 49ers team which has gone through significant change as they lost 3 of their top 4 scorers this past offseason to the transfer portal and so far this season they have yet to figure out a consistent way to replicate that scoring.
The 49ers are led in scoring by 6’3 G Nik Graves, the lone double figure averaging returner from last year’s squad and he has upped his points per game from 10.4 a season ago, to 17.5 this season, to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Outside of Graves, the squad has 3 other players in double figures, as F Robert Braswell is averaging 12.3 points per game, former FAU C Giancarlo Rosado averages 12.1 and Juco transfer G Jaeshon Thomas is contributing 10.7 points per game in his first season with the 9ers.
The offensive struggles this season for Charlotte have come from a variety of places, as their EFG% is 47.5% which is 281st in the country, which is explained by their 29.1% 3-point shooting which is 325th. The lack of 3 point shooting is something that could play into FAU’s favor, similar to ECU, however the door is open for a bounce back opportunity on the glass, as ECU has grabbed an offensive rebound on 26.7% of possessions which is 271st.
The surprise this season for Charlotte has been their defensive struggles, as a normally sound defensive team has allowed teams to shoot 56% inside the perimeter, while forcing a turnover on only 14.2% of possessions which is 339th and allowing an offensive rebound on 31.9% of possessions which is 264th. Without a lack of pressure on the ball handler, teams have been able to attack the basket with ease and consistently create second chances on the glass against Charlotte, 2 things which play into FAU’s favor.
It hasn’t been all bad for Charlotte, as offensively they have shown great ball control, turning it over on 13.9% of possessions which is 15th in the nation, while also getting to the free throw line a significant amount, with an FTA/FGA of 48.6 which is 5th in the nation, converting on 75.3% of their chances, good for 80th. On the defensive side of things, what may help them against FAU is their perimeter defense, as they have held teams to 30.1% from 3 which is 56th in the nation.
The lack of consistent offense will be a potential problem for Charlotte against FAU, however if they are able to shift their game plan to an attack first mindset, getting to the rim and free throw line which plays to their strengths, that will help them immensely. Defensively, they key for them will be finding a way to limit FAU’s chances at the rim, forcing the Owls to convert against their tough perimeter defense, however if they are able to do that they will also have to grab the first rebound, something they have struggled with at times this season.
This will be an up-hill battle for Charlotte, however this has been a team known to power off the energy of Halton Arena and if the atmosphere remains the same as it has been when FAU has come to town previously, this game could turn into a battle.