ASU (11-7, 6-1) @ FAU (9-10, 5-3) When : Saturday, Jan. 23rd – 7:00PM EST Where : Boca Raton, Fl – The Burrow TV : None Live Video : None ESPN 760 Internet Broadcast : Here Live Stats : None ASU Team Site : Here Probable Starters : ASU G Rashad Allison 7.9 ppg G Trey Finn 8.2 ppg G Brandon Reed 14.4 ppg F Brandon Peterson 7.1 ppg F Martavius Adams 10.9 ppg FAU G Ray Taylor 15.4 ppg G Alex Tucker 4.7 ppg G Greg Gantt 15.1 ppg G Sanchez Hughley 9.3 ppg F Brett Royster 10.0 ppg The Series The Red Wolves own an all time 3-1 record against the Owls. ASU snuck by FAU last season 62-60 at home. Shavar Richardson and Alex Tucker both had 16 points in the loss. ASU at a Glance The Red Wolves, who are off their best conference start since 1997-98, will complete a four game Sun Belt road trip against FAU on Saturday. Arkansas State has won three straight, and last night defeated FIU 76-61 behind Brandon Reeds 25 point showing. Martavius Adams (6-8, 255), an Oklahoma State transfer, had a game high 13 rebounds and anchors the front court for the Red Wolves. It was a good win for us, we just have to be able to get some rest and concentrate and stay mentally focused so we can play a good game at FAU on Saturday”, said ASU Coach John Brady. ASU is a solid team defensively and enjoys a +4.3 scoring margin while holding opponents to a paltry 26.5% from long distance – both good for tops in the Sun Belt. However, their 63.9% from the charity stripe fills the bottom spot. FAU at a Glance Good times. The Owls have won four of their last five, dropping only a 72-79 loss to WKU in Bowling Green during the stretch. Last time out, FAU was able to fend off UALR 77-74 , despite going scoreless for most of the last four minutes of the game. Hoping to capitalize on the team’s momentum, FAU Head Coach Mike Jarvis is glad to get back to the hardwood without hitting the road. “Were going to play a really good Arkansas State team. When you win you want to play right away”, said Mike Jarvis afterwards. “If this was last year playing in this league, wed be on the plane tomorrow. At least theres some sanity on the schedule this year.” Greg Gantt scored a career high 29 points in Thursday’s victory, and Brett Royster added six blocks. The Owls continue to benefit from a four guard starting line-up and have proven a difficult match up defensively for opponents as of late with Taylor and Tucker on the floor at the same time. Taylor leads the Sun Belt in assists with 6.5 per game, and Tucker is 11th with 3.4. Florida Atlantic is 6-2, 3-1 at FAU Arena on the season. Latest Line : FAU -3.5 Owl’s Nest Prediction The Red Wolves have made a living shutting down teams offensively, and that could spell some trouble for FAU on Saturday considering how much the Owl’s point production has relied on the long ball. Where FAU could likely gain some ground to offset this is in turnover margin, where they have +3.33 per contest advantage. If the Owls can shut down Brandon Reed, who has taken a whopping 25% of ASU’s shots (232-1,005) on the season, they will find bliss awaiting. But, it’s likely going to be a dog fight. Another entertaining game at FAU Arena, with the Owls on top at the buzzer. FAU -1
