What: FAU vs FIU
When: Saturday, December 4th, 6:30 PM
Where: Ocean Bank Convocation Center
Series: Panthers Lead 26-28
TV: CBS Sports
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Stats broadcast
Line: FAU -7.5
FAU at a Glance
Offense – 86.6 PPG, 47% FG, 37% 3PT
Defense – 77 PPGA, 42% FGA, 37% 3PTA
Rebounding – 37 RPG Owls, 36 RPG Opponents
FAU Notes
FAU heads to Miami for a battle with FIU as they look to snap a 3 game losing streak on the road. FIU is expected to have one of their largest crowds in quite a while as they will open the second deck at the Ocean Bank Convocation center.
The Owls have had an up and down performance so far this season, as their defense plagued them in their first 2 losses to UCF and Charleston, before seeing their offense, specifically 3- point shooting struggle against Seton Hall and Drake. In their most recent loss to FGCU FAU looked to bounce back offensively, finishing above 50% from the field and 40% from 3, however in the second half that dipped to below 30% for both while FGCU cashed in on open looks and upset the Owls on their home court.
On a positive note in that one, Baba Miller finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 5 of 6 from 3, dominating offensively and showcasing his wide-range of skill sets. Miller, Kyky Tandy and Kaleb Glenn gave the Owls a chance to come back in that one, as Tandy and Glenn finished with 15 and 14 respectively alongside Miller’s 25, however their scoring was sporadic in the second half while FGCU’s remained consistent.
Offensively on the year the Owls have been solid, checking in as the 56th most efficient offense in the country, with a 55% effective FG% which is 45th in the nation and 38.3% 3-point percentage which is 32nd in the country. On the defensive side of things, FAU has struggled a bit, allowing a 52.9% effective field goal % which is 263rd in the country, while teams are also shooting 39.6% from 3 against them which is 349th in the country.
Kaleb Glenn has checked in as the leading scorer off the bench with 13.3 points per game, while Leland Walker has averaged 12.1 and Ken Evans Jr, Kyky Tandy and Baba Miller are each averaging 10 points per game. All 8 of the Owls consistent rotational players have each averaged at least 8 points per game so far this season and even during late games they have shown a willingness to let anyone take a shot on any given possession.
In this matchup against FIU, the Owls need to find consistency on both ends of the court, as at times against FGCU the Owls were playing stout defense and were hitting their shots, but at other moments they faltered. The Panthers have struggled greatly on both ends of the court so far this year and if FAU is able to hit at least 40% of their 3’s, while holding FIU to less than 75 points, this should be a game that they win handily.
FIU Notes:
FIU comes into this matchup at 2-5 and they also last played FGCU, matching up with them on Sunday November 24th and losing 60-59. It has been a struggle so far this season for the Panthers as they have lost 4 games by 5 points or less, however their offensive struggles have cost them a lot of those games.
So far this season, FIU has left a lot to be desired offensively, checking into this matchup with a 44.4% effective FG% which is 326th in the nation and a 26.1% 3-point percentage good for 345th in the nation and their lack of success from beyond the arc has left them scuffling at times. Their defense however is what has kept them in games, limiting teams to 28.8% from beyond the arc, while also forcing a steal on 10.7% of possessions which is 112th in the nation and forcing a turnover without a steal on 10.5% of possessions which is 28th in the country.
Leading the way for FIU is 3rd year guard Jayden Brewer who has 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while right behind him is Senior Jonathan Aybar who is averaging 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. Those 2 are the only ones in double figures for the Panthers, however they do have multiple contributors off the bench including Vianney Salatchoum, a 6’11 center who has averaged 7.1 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes per game off of the bench.
With the offensive struggles that have plagued FGCU this season, a lot of their offense has had to run through the paint and against FAU that is not going to be a path to success, however that does not mean they can’t adjust in a similar style to which FGCU did. If FIU is able to up their 3 point woes in this one and continue their solid play defensively, they have a chance to pull an upset off at home, however that remains a big if on if their offense is able to snap out of their cold streak.