What : Warner University (3-0, 0-0) vs FAU (2-1, 0-0) When : Wednesday, Nov. 17th @ 7:00 PM EST Where : FAU Arena TV : None Live Video : None Internet Broadcast : Here Live Stats : Here Warner University Team Site : Here Probable Starters : Warner G Allan Keen 6.7 ppg G Brennan Taylor 16.7 ppg G Ian Wilhelm 11.7 ppg F Adam Branch 13.0 ppg F Malcolm Campbell 16.0 ppg FAU G Dennis Mavin 12.7 ppg G Alex Tucker 14.0 ppg G Greg Gantt 14.0 ppg F Kore White 5.7 ppg F Brett Royster 7.0 ppg The series Florida Atlantic owns a 1-0 advantage that did not come easy. In a marathon battle for the ages, the Royals took FAU to the program’s first triple OT last year before the Owls finally pulled away in the last period to a 106-99 victory. Warner led at the break 38-34, and provided a competitive 2nd, 3rd, and 4th frame – Game Box Warner at a Glance Warner University hails from the Sun Conference, with another familiar face in Northwood University, and were pegged as third place finishers in the league’s preseason coaches poll. After finishing 20-10 last season, the Royals are off to a 3-0 start in 2010-11. Despite trailing at the half, Warner knocked of Edward Waters last night 90-77 behind Ray Victor’s career high 20 points. The Royals shot a game high 54.9% from the field and own nations best shooting percentage at the NAIA-II level at 59.8%. Warner has a front and back court game, but relies more on the the three ball more than pounding it inside. There’s a reason for that as they shoot 49.2% from down town. However, joining the Royals roster this season is 6’10” big man Malcolm Campbell, who transferred from DII Anchorage Alaska where he knocked in 15.0 points, and pulled down 8 rebounds per game. Prior to his time in Alaska, Campbell played for DI program Hartford University. Gone from last year’s squad is guard Derell Henderson, who put up 31 points against the Owls – 15 of which came at the charity stripe as he went to the line a game high 19 times. FAU at a Glance Florida Atlantic returns to FAU arena after a successful 2-1 stint in Portland in the Athletes In Action Classic, knocking off UC Davis and UW Milwaukee before falling to tournament host Portland in the final game . “For the most part, the team played well out in Portland”, Coach Mike Jarvis said. “Kore didn’t very well and neither did Brett. All of our bigs have a lot of work to do.” Additionally, the Owls made some strides from long range after a dismal start in exhibition play and enter Wednesday’s contest upping their clip to a more respectable 33.3%, but still have some work to do to get back to last year’s 38.1% mark. A 61.8% pace at the line could use some attention as well. Wednesday will provide an opportunity for both. But, inquiring minds likely want to know: Why play the likes of NAIA squads like the Royals? “We schedule them because it gives another home game without having to give one back”, Jarvis said. “For the team, it gives them a chance to play a good team that knows how to play; we don’t schedule bad teams.” The season’s biggest surprise so far has been the play of freshman guard Dennis Mavin, who was thrust into a starters role due to the preseason suspension of Ray Taylor. And, the speedy slasher has taken advantage of the opportunity. After getting off to a quite rocky start in exhibition action, Mavin has quickly rebounded (literally) to rank third on the squad in boards (4.0), scoring (12.7) and shot percentage (48.0). Latest Line : N/A Owl’s Nest Prediction Not triple overtime again, please. Our hearts can’t take it. One thing should be apparent after seeing Warner, and now Northwood. NAIA means nothing more than a good team that does not have to play by the same recruiting rules. Regardless, the Owls will shine on Wednesday in a game that will serve as a useful chance to get a full roster into the game again before taking on American this Saturday. FAU -7+
