FAU: AAC Tournament Preview
The second chapter of FAUs season has come to an end, as following non-conference and conference play the Owls and the rest of the NCAA pivot to tourney time. Before the big dance however, the Owls have the opportunity to play in the AAC tournament and have the second overall seed which means a double-bye, and a few days of rest and preparation before their first matchup on Friday.
That preparation is a bit of a double-edged sword, as the two teams FAU could potentially play in that first round matchup, #7 North Texas and #10 Tulane, are about as different as it could possibly get in terms of style of play.
North Texas has one of the slowest paces of play in the nation averaging 20.2 seconds per possession which is 362nd in the nation, per Ken Pom. They also deploy a staunch defense which forces a turnover on 19.6 % of possessions which is 45th in the nation, and forces teams into bad shots, holding teams to an effective field goal on only 47.2% possession which is 33rd in the nation.
Their slow pace of play has limited them at times, as they failed to break 70 points in numerous losses this year, however if they can lull a team into playing at their pace and grab a hold of momentum, they are a very difficult team to beat.
Tulane is a complete opposite, deploying a fast-paced offensive barrage which takes nearly 5 seconds less per possession than UNT, finding their shot in 15.5 seconds which is 17th in the nation, per Ken Pom. Their offensive fire power has been able to win them games when their defense has struggled, especially on the glass, allowing an offensive rebound on 32.7% of possessions which is 322nd in the nation. When their shooters are off, it has led to immense struggles, seen in their 7-game losing streak where they failed to hold an opponent to 75 or less.
When Tulane is able to be a scary team is when they are able to get another team into a shoot-out because when the Green Wave offense is hot it feeds the energy of the whole team and makes them very tough to beat.
FAU has played both of these teams twice this season, but each game was a battle so preparation for either of them is paramount. But how does one prepare for a matchup where you don’t know your opponent until the day before, and the teams play a completely different brand of basketball. If you ask FAU Coach Dusty May, it comes down to preparing for each team differently, although they will take a look at the metrics to see who’s favored.
“It would be ideal if they were 2 teams that played similar styles, they’re as contrasted as they could be. We will probably look at the computer metrics and see which team is supposed to win and spend 51 % of our practice time and preparation for that time, and 49% on the other, because it’s 2 evenly matched teams. Whoever we play it is going to be a dog fight, just like that game on Thursday (between UNT and Tulane) will be a dogfight as well,” Coach May said.
Winning 3 games in 3 games won’t be an easy task, and a first-round matchup with either UNT or Tulane is not an easy draw even considering the Owls swept both of those teams. The third matchup with any team is never easy, and no matter who the Owls draw it will be a round 3 on tap, and Coach May says the team will just take it one game at a time.
“Just to play really good basketball, frame by frame, possession by possession and trust that is enough. We are obviously in a unique situation this year where there is really no stress or pressure to make the NCAA. So, we have one goal in mind to win that game and take a run at a conference championship” Coach May said.
The only way to beat hard nosed AAC opponents is taking it possession by possession and that is how FAU has been able to be a combined 4-0 against these 2 teams this season and riding a 3-game win streak heading into the tournament. The Owls have been able to play their best brand of basketball against these teams at different points this season, and currently are clicking in all facets following the senior day victory over Memphis, look for FAU to try to carry some of their momentum into this matchup, regardless of the opponent.
One step at a time has been the team’s mantra throughout this entire season, and heading towards the conference tourney the focus remains the same. FAU will enjoy a few days of rest and preparation, before they take on the winner of UNT vs Tulane at 7 pm est on Friday.
