FAU (6-24, 2-13) @ FIU (11-19, 6-11) SATURDAY, FEB 28TH, 2009 7:00 PM EST MEDIA COVERAGE Radio : FOX 640AM – FAU @ FIU 7:00PM THE SERIES The Golden Panthers lead the all-time series 13-9. FIU won in Boca Raton earlier this year 58-53. The lead change hands 10 times before the Panthers made a series of well timed 3s in the second to slide out with the win. Shavar Richardson scored 16 and Paul Graham III had 13 in the loss for FAU. FAU has knocked the Golden Panthers out of the Sun Belt Conference tournament in each of the last two seasons on the Owls’ home floor at the FAU Arena in Boca Raton. FIU AT A GLANCE Team Site: fiusports.com The Owls will get a different looking FIU this time around as, for the first time all year, Coach Sergio Rouco is expecting a full roster of healthy players ready to compete (with the exception of backup center Badara Ndiaye who was lost for the season after knee surgery). FIU has played well at home this season, winning 9 of 16 games. The Golden Panthers have only won 10-games-or-more in a season at U.S. Century Bank Arena on three previous occasions, the last time in 1999-2000 when the team fashioned a 10-6 home mark. FIU was eliminated from hosting a first round game as Denver won their contest last night and the Panthers lost to Middle Tennessee 66-71. FAU AT A GLANCE Florida Atlantic has lost 16 straight road games, most recently falling to the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. The Owls will be the No. 13 seed in the upcoming league tournament, which begins Wednesday, March 4. 13 of the Owl’s 24 losses have been decided by 7 points or less. FAU currently ranks 27th nationally in fewest turnovers at 12.1 per game. Owls line the media ballot box for soon to be announced SBC honors: Senior Guard Paul Graham has been nominated for Sun Belt Player of the Year, Shavar Richardson Freshman of the Year, and Brett Royster Defensive Player of the year. PROBABLE STARTERS FIU 02 Alex Galindo F 6-6 230 05 Josue Soto G 6-0 180 15 Nikola Gacesa F 6-9 238 32 Russell Hicks C 7-0 260 34 Michael Dominguez G 6-3 185 Florida Atlantic 25 Paul Graham G 6-5 190 05 Alex Tucker G 5-11 160 12 Carderro Nwoji G 5-11 03 Chris Watson F 6-6 210 40 Brett Royster F 6-8 220 LATEST LINE FIU -5 OWL NEST PREDICTION Expect another close one that could go down to the wire unless one team gets hot. Rebounding will be a challenge for the Owls with the return of Hicks, and a very busy Freddy Aspirilla underneath. on paper the Panthers should win by .9 points. The home court advantage adds another three to that. FIU – 4
