What: FAU vs Texas State
When: Saturday, December 14th, 2:00 PM
Where: Eleanor R Baldwin Arena
Series: Texas State leads 1-0
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Stats broadcast
Line: FAU -8.5
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 on Saturday as Texas State heads to town for the Owls final home game of the non-conference slate. This matchup is a valuable tune up opportunity as FAU will face Michigan State in their next game, however they won’t be able to overlook the Bobcats as they currently sit at 7-3 and are ranked 121st overall per Ken Pom.
The Owls are currently riding a 2 game win streak after knocking off FIU on the road and heading back home and defeating Jacksonville 85-63. In both matchups the Owls shot just 30% from 3, however they used their size to their advantage and attacked the basket and against Jacksonville they dominated the paint and rebound battle.
So far this season the Owls haven’t capitalized on their height and length to the best of their abilities, however against Jacksonville they did, winning the rebound battle 50-36 and points in the paint 42-10. Early on in the season the Owls were very 3 point reliant and while the 3 ball remains a focal point of the offense, they have begun to find other ways to get the ball in the basket and it has paid off with back to back victories.
The size advantage for FAU comes from their 4 big men this season, as recently Matas Vokietaitis and Baba Miller in the starting lineup and Kaleb Glenn and Tre Carroll off the bench have provided solid scoring and defense. Against Jacksonville, Carroll and Vokietaitis each chipped in 17, while Glenn and Miller had 14 and 10 respectively, with Miller also recording 11 rebounds and 4 blocks.
The key to this FAU team is their ability to each accept their roles and they have done that at a high level over the past 2 games. Against FIU, that was highlighted by a 12 assist performance from Leland Walker and against Jacksonville although Ken Evans Jr and KyKy Tandy both finished in single digits scoring wise, they limited the Dolphins leading guards to 1 of 11 and 2 of 9 from the field, putting on a defensive master class.
Whether it’s star players taking on a facilitator and defensive stalwart role, or the Owls getting nearly 90 combined bench points over the past 2 games, FAU has been able to adjust and accept different roles and it has led to some of their best performances of the season over the past 2 games. It hasn’t been perfect, however in the second half of the past 2 games the Owls have gotten solid offense, while limiting teams from beyond the arc, the latter which has been a problem in the Owls losses this season.
Texas State has been a formidable opponent this season, so this won’t be the best game to fine tune things, however they have to continue to improve as one of their biggest challenges of the season is on deck in Michigan State. Texas State isn’t reliant on their 3 point shot, however they convert on 37.3% of their triples which is 61st in the nation, so this will be a game where if FAU can limit their open looks, that can show a sign of improvement going forward.
Overall in this matchup, it will be important for FAU to continue to display a diverse offense, looking to find their 3-point shot, while also being willing to take what’s there, especially if the 3’s are not falling. On the defensive end, the Owls have still not been 100% consistent, however this game will be an opportunity to limit a team from beyond the arc for both halves.
The Owls will have a height advantage once again in this one, checking in with the 73rd average height in the country, while Texas State has the 273rd tallest team, so this will once again be a chance for FAU to use their height, but a key to watch will to see if they can dominate the paint, while also getting their 3 point percentage back above 40%. Iff they are able to both, while also limiting the Bobcats from beyond the arc on the other end, they will have a chance to win this game handily.
Texas State at a Glance
Offense – 76.6 PPG, 48% FG, 38% 3PT
Defense – 65.5 PPGA, 43% FGA, 34% 3PTA
Rebounding – 37 RPG Bobcats, 30 RPG Opponents
Texas State Notes
Texas State has been off to a solid start so far this season, sitting at 7-3 and they are currently on a 5 game win streak with wins over Ohio, Rice, and Princeton.
The key for the Bobcats so far this season has been their scrappiness, not being great necessarily at one singular thing, rather doing all of the little things to find ways to win. In their last matchup against Rice, Texas State used 43% shooting from beyond the arc, combined with 13 offensive rebounds, while limiting Rice 27% from 3 to lead their way to victory and a performance like that against FAU could cause problems.
Statistically, the biggest strengths this season offensively have been the offensive rebounding and 3 point percentage, as they have averaged an offensive rebound on 34% of possessions which is 80th in the country and shot 37.3% from beyond the arc, which is 61st. On the other end of the court, they have held teams to 47% on 2 point field goals, which is 84th in the country and if FAU is off from beyond the arc, their interior defense could prove fruitful.
Their struggles this season offensively have come in the turnover department as they average one on 19.5% of possessions, which is 278th in the country and would play right into FAU’s aggressive defensive mentality. They have also struggled around the basket, converting on only 47.9% of 2-point attempts, which is 262nd in the country and if FAU is able to execute solid perimeter defense, that could potentially lead to struggles for the Bobcats.
On the defensive end, the Bobcats have struggled at forcing turnovers and limiting teams from beyond the arc, forcing a turnover on 17% of possessions which is 218th in the country and allowing teams to shoot 34.3% from 3, which is 227th in the nation. If Texas State isn’t active in the passing lanes, that will allow FAU to generate open looks and capitalize on their spotty 3 point defense, so their turnovers will be something to watch in this one.
In similar fashion to FAU, Texas State has 8 players or more averaging 7 or more points per game and they have seen their players buy into their system and accept their roles. Overall on the year, they have been led by G Kaden Gumbs who has averaged 14.4 points with 38% shooting from 3, along with F Tyrel Morgan who has averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds with 37% shooting from 3 and F Tylan Pope who has chipped in 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Texas State has the diverse scoring to stay in this game, however the key for them will be their defense and ability to frustrate FAU in the passing lanes and limit their ability to get hot from beyond the Arc. If they are able to limit FAU, their offense could be able to get them the road win, however they will need to capitalize on their paint chances as FAU looks to continually improve their 3 point defense.