FAU Returns to Virginia to face a Strong ODU


What: Florida Atlantic (5-4) vs. Old Dominion (5-3, 1-1)

When: Friday, January 8, @ 7 PM Eastern
           Saturday, January 9, @ 7 PM Eastern

Where: Chartway Arena

Series: The Monarchs own a 9-3 advantage over the Owls, although two FAU victories have come with Dusty May at the helm.

ODU Team Site: Here


TV: None

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here


ODU at a Glance:

Offense - 71 PPG, 46% FG, 28% 3PT

Defense - 71.6 PPGA, 43% FGA, 36% 3PTA

Rebounding - 37 RPG Monarchs, 35.9 RPG Opponents


Notables

Old Dominion was pegged to finish fifth in C-USA in the conference's preseason poll after their previous regular season ended in eighth.

The Monarchs split their series with Florida International last weekend. The Panthers soundly won Friday's game 82-67 before ODU finished the set with a gritty 71-66 win. Guard Malik Curry had a season-high 27 points in Saturday's victory.

Transferring from Palm Beach State College before the 2019 season, Curry currently leads the team with 17.1 PPG. He has yet to have a single-digit outing this season.

ODU is traditionally known for their stout defense, but they have given up 75 points on four occasions, three of which were loses.


FAU at a Glance

Offense - 84.9 PPG, 48% FG, 39% 3PT

Defense - 65.3 PPGA, 42% FGA, 36% 3PTA

Rebounding - 41.1 RPG Owls, 32.7 RPG Opponents


Notables

FAU hopes to rebound from their woeful 79-70 effort against James Madison on Tuesday. The lone bright spot was a 20 point outing from star forward Jailyn Ingram and guard Kenan Blackshear's impressive second half performance.

Jailyn Ingram leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 15.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG, respectively. Guard BJ Greenlee is the only other Owl averaging double-digits despite a zero point effort against JMU.

This series will open C-USA play for the Owls after a COVID-19 outbreak at Middle Tennessee forced that series to be scrapped.


Latest Line: FAU +8.5

Let’s take 1!

ODU is a shell of them former selves for the last two seasons, but we are still near DD Dogs for a reason…

Nonetheless, isn't it about time something went our way?

Go Owls!

It's worth noting that ODU was the last CUSA team that the Owls beat. First Round of the conference tournament, March 12, 2020: FAU won 66-56 thanks to a season-high 22 points from JI. The tournament was cancelled the next day.

It's showtime! The Owls are FINALLY going to start conference play.

Let's get #CUSA play underway! #FAU's Starting 5⃣ 🆚 #ODU ⬇️

G - BJ Greenlee

G - Michael Forrest

G - Kenan Blackshear

F - Jailyn Ingram

F - Karlis Silins#GoOwls! 👌

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 8, 2021

Ingram and Blackshear are playing out of their minds right now/

#FAU's @2easyJ_ bullies three #ODU defenders as he grabs his own rebound and converts the put-back. They will have to try harder than that in order to stop JI 😂

It's been all JI & @kbuckets11, who notched back-to-back and-ones to start the game.

ODU leads FAU 17-13 | 11:00 1H pic.twitter.com/1KzctK1h4j

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 9, 2021

Words cannot justify just how good JI is when he is on!

JAILYN INGRAM IS PLAYING OUT OF HIS MIND!@2easyJ_ has SIXTEEN points already despite the constant double, and sometimes triple, team defense.#ODU leads #FAU 28-26 | 5:05 1H pic.twitter.com/SUaGm2Gn5L

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 9, 2021

ODU is now so petrified of JI, they're swarming to him whenever he holds the rock. That's a massive mistake if they remembered how he's such an athletic passer. He kicks the ball out before it eventually finds Mike Forrest, who hits his second FG in a row after a slow start.

HALFTIME | #ODU 40 - #FAU 37@m_ke1135 capitalizes on ODU swarming @2easyJ_ by hitting three just before the buzzer.

Owls are shooting 54% FG, with JI owning a game-high 16 points. But 7 FAU turnovers are holding the Owls back. pic.twitter.com/zXBZ27Pqux

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 9, 2021

JI is on pace to shatter his career points record originally set in 2018 vs. BCU.

With over 15 minutes left in the second half, @2easyJ_ is four points away from matching his career high of 28 (2018 vs. Bethune Cookman).

The 🐐

📸: @FAUMBB pic.twitter.com/NDMB5CABMs

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 9, 2021

Owls are starting to slow down offensively. They've only made one free throw this half and have yet to convert a three/

Gorgeous play by @EWinchester220 puts him on the scoresheet after being forced to rest due to injury. Good to see you back on the court, Everett! #ODU leads #FAU 63-54 | 7:37 2H pic.twitter.com/iiYWljyb5f

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) January 9, 2021