FAU (4-4, 0-1) @ UNO (5-3, 0-0) When : Monday, Dec. 14th 8:00 PM EST Where : New Orleans, La. – Lakefront Arena ESPN 760 Internet Broadcast : Here Live Video : UNO Pay Per View (if available) Live Stats : None UNO Team Site : Here Probable Starters : FAU G Ray Taylor 17.4 ppg G Greg Gantt 15.1 ppg F Sanchez Hughley 7.9 ppg F Andre Mattison 1.4 ppg C DeMonte Simpson 7.4 ppg UNO G Carl Blair 5.5 ppg G Charles Carmouche 11.6 ppg G Billy Humphrey 18.5 ppg F Ejike Hart 4.3 ppg C Jaroslav Tyrna 8.0 ppg The Series The Owls leads the all-time series 3-1. The Privateers won last seasons meeting 75-68 in New Orleans. FAU at a Glance The Owls lost to Louisiana-Lafayette 81-74 on Saturday at the Cajun Dome. Greg Gantt is averaging 19.3 ppg since being inserted into the starting line-up. But he’s not the only one who has caught the eye of Mike Jarvis lately. “Andre Mattison played really well (at Louisiana-Lafayette). He’s probably going to start (against New Orleans)”, said Jarvis. The Owls are still in search of their first conference road win in the Jarvis era. “You’ve got to play so much better (on the road). You can’t rely on getting any calls at the end of the game.” UNO at a Glance Privateer senior guard Billy Humphrey scored a career-high 27 points despite Saturday’s loss at Southern (1-8). UNO was held to 35 percent shooting in the second half after shooting 61 percent in the opening frame. They did not score a field goal in the final 8:12. The Privateers are 4-0 at Lakefront Arena this season, and have not dropped a Sun Belt home opener since Dec. 28, 2001 (Western Kentucky). However, UNO will be leaving the Sun Belt Conference and moving its NCAA Division I program to Division III. Latest Line : UNO -4 Owl’s Nest Prediction I think Privateer’s Head Coach Joe Pasternack said it best after New Orlean’s loss to Southern: “We’re about defense and rebounding. That’s who we are”, said Pasternack. He’s right, as the Privateers are averaging a mere 65 ppg. But the Owls offer a better offensive unit than Southern has – hands down. However, FAU will have to contain at the guard position – UNO’s primary point of attack. The trio of Humphrey, Carmouche, and McDonald, who is 14-28 (50%) from long range, account for 60% of the Privateers scoring. Unless the Owls self implode offensively, they should win this one – albeit close. Going with that presumption, the Sun Belt road trip will end at 1-1. FAU -3
