What: FAU vs Jacksonville
When: Tuesday, December 10th, 7:00 PM
Where: Eleanor R Baldwin Arena
Series: Jacksonville leads 11-10
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Statsbroadcast
Line: FAU -11.5
FAU at a Glance
Offense – 85.9 PPG, 47% FG, 37% 3PT
Defense – 77 PPGA, 43% FGA, 37% 3PTA
Rebounding – 36 RPG Owls, 36 RPG Opponents
Florida Atlantic notes:
FAU is back in action Tuesday evening as Jacksonville heads to town for another in-state battle, which is the first of 2 final home games in the non-conference schedule.
The Owls snapped a 3 game losing streak in their last matchup, defeating FIU 88-77 in Miami and finding a way to win despite another night offensively. FAU got back to doing what they do best, recording 58 points off the bench, led by Tre Carroll with 24 and Kaleb Glenn with 22 both of whom attacked the rim with an aggressive mentality.
Despite shooting only 7 of 23 from beyond the arc, FAU found a way to win by using their size to their advantage and attacking the paint, something they were unable to do at times during their losing streak. The Owls made 17 triples in their loss to FAU, however a lack of consistent 3-point shooting is something that has cost them in losses this season.
A staple of consistency recently for the Owls has been Leland Walker, as he has contributed in a variety of ways so far this season for FAU. Walker has finished in either double figures or with 5 or more assists in 6 consecutive games, chipping in the 3rd most single game assists in FAU history last week against FIU with 12, commanding the offense en-route to a dominating second half.
Kaleb Glenn remains the Owls leading scorer so far this season, averaging 14.2 points per game and has scored in double figures in back-to-back games after failing to score 10 or more in any of the Shriners Children’s Classic matchups. Outside of Walker and Glenn, Baba Miller is the Owls 3rd leading scorer at 11 points per game and the past 2 matchups have been dominant for Miller, scoring 25 and 15 and showing off his diverse skillset with 6 made triples, 3 steals, 3 blocks and 14 rebounds across the 2 games.
The Owls have been at their best this season when they are getting diverse scoring, as they have 8 players this season averaging 8 points or more and with Walker showing his ability to be a floor general, this offense has a chance to really find their flow over the next 2 games. The key in this matchup will be getting back to converting open looks from beyond the arc and if they are able to hit consistently from 3, they will fare well against Jacksonville.
On the defensive side of things, the Owls have struggled with limiting open looks from 3 and they currently rank 350th in the country, allowing a 39.1% mark from downtown. FIU only shot 10 triples against FAU which is their style of offense, and although Jacksonville still isn’t as 3 point heavy as some teams the Owls face earlier in the season, however 32% of their points this season have come from beyond the arc which is 10% more than FIU, so they have the potential to hurt FAU if they are given open looks.
In this matchup, FAU will have a clear size advantage as Jacksonville has the 217th average height in the country, while FAU is ranked 127th and the Dolphins do not consistently play anyone taller than 6 ‘9.
Jacksonville has allowed teams to convert at a 35.3% rate from 3 which is 264th in the country, however if needed the Owls may be able to use their size to their advantage and get down low once again as Jacksonville has allowed teams to hit a 54.5% clip from 2.
Overall, this is a winnable game at home for FAU as the Dolphins have struggled with turnovers offensively and defensively, they have allowed a fairly gaudy 3-point percentage while lacking the size of FAU down low. However, FAU will need to limit open looks defensively, while converting on their looks on the other end and if they are able to do that, they should be in a good position.
Jacksonville notes:
Jacksonville checks into this matchup at 5-4 on the year and are currently coming off an 88-67 win over Florida Tech on Thursday. Their big win this year is a 74-64 win over Virginia Tech on the road, however they did lose 102-56 on the road to Georgia.
They have been a very scrappy team this season, averaging an offensive rebound on 35.5% of possessions which is 40th in the country, showing an ability to compete down low despite lacking a traditional big man. Their biggest strength this season has been their 3 point ball, currently converting at a 34.4% rate which is 132nd in the nation.
Their leading scorer has been Robert McCray V, who has averaged 15.8 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists converting on 32% of his 3s, while also using his 6 ‘4 frame to attack the paint. Zach Bell is right behind him with 10.9 points per game, while both him and McCray are both averaging over a steal and a half per game, matching their solid offensive output with good defense.
Their struggles this season have been defensively, as they have allowed a 55.7% effective FG% which is 330th in the nation, while also allowing teams to find their shot quickly at 15.9 seconds which is 13th in the country. Those statistics combined with their aforementioned defensive 3 point struggles have the potential to play into FAU’s favor if they capitalize.
Overall, for Jacksonville, they’re best path to competing in this one and potentially pulling off the upset will be consistent 3-point shooting and moving past their defensive struggles and limiting FAU offensively. If they’re able to do those 2 things, while limiting turnovers they have a chance to upset the Owls, however it is easier said than done and they will need to have one of their best performances of the season if they’re going to get it done.