UL (7-13) @ FAU (4-18) Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 7:00 PM EST MEDIA COVERAGE 640 AM with audio links available via FAUSPORTS.com. Ken LaVicka (play-by-play) will call the games for WFTL on Thursday. Live scoring via GAMETRACKER and an additional video feed can also be accessed on FAUSPORTS.com. Radio Link : Radio Broadcast: FOX 640AM – FAU vs ASU 5:00PM GAME PROMOTIONS The first 100 FAU students will receive a FREE voucher good for a hot dog, popcorn or nachos. The first 200 fans will receive a FREE Amp Energy drink. THE SERIES Louisiana-Lafayette led FAU by 23 at halftime and went on to beat the Owls 71-52 last season at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette (12/29/07). The two teams have met just twice. FAU’s 75-72 victory in Boca Raton (1/27/07) two years ago puts the all-time series even one game apiece. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE AT A GLANCE The Rajin’ Cajuns (7-12) knocked off South Alabama 67-65 at home last weekend and will travel to Middle Tennessee State before visiting South Florida for a single-game with FAU. The Cajuns will have played 8 of 11 on the road in the month January after Saturday night’s game in Boca Raton. ULL finished last season 15-15 and 7-11 in the SBC. The Cajuns – who have also been hit by the injury bug this year – has returned to full strength. The team makes over seven 3-pointers per game. 6-foot-7 freshman Travis Bureau has made 45 triples this season and ranks 45th in the NCAA in 3-point makes per game (2.9). FAU AT A GLANCE The Owls (4-18) are still in search of its first Sun Belt win (0-10). A promising start to the season has seen preseason Sun Belt “Player of the Year,” senior forward Carlos Monroe, play in just six games and the team’s most productive player, sophomore guard Xavier Perkins, sidelined after Game 8 to focus on academics. Freshmen Alex Tucker – 2nd in the Sun Belt in assists (4.8 pg) – and Shavar Richardson (11.8 ppg) have emerged as two of the league’s best young guards. Rookie classmate, forward Chris Watson (.544 FG%), has joined Tucker and Richardson has a regular in FAU’s starting lineup. Senior PG Carderro Nwoji (10.0 ppg) and high-scoring guard Paul Graham III (16.8 ppg) provide experience to an FAU team that has been competitive in all but one game this season – making its 4-17 record a bit misleading. Sophomore F/C Brett Royster needs just 12 blocks to break FAU’s single-season record. Royster leads the league in blocks (47) and ranks No. 37 in the NCAA. PROBABLE STARTERS Louisiana-Lafayette 1 Tyren Johnson F 6-8 195 33 Chris Gradnigo F 6-7 215 42 Courtney Wallace C 6-8 238 22 Travis Bureau G 6-7 55 Ryan McCoy G 6-0 175 Florida Atlantic 1 Shavar Richardson G 6-2 165 5 Alex Tucker G 5-11 160 12 Carderro Nwoji G 5-11 3 Chris Watson F 6-6 210 40 Brett Royster F 6-8 220 LATEST LINE FAU – 1 OWL NEST PREDICTION The Owls give up some size in this one, but the Cajuns don’t have a formidable presence inside the post. Once again, it should come down to the wire, and the need for more consistent shooting from the floor. Seems like we have watched a lot of those lately. If this finally happens, the streak will end. FAU – 3
