FAU (6-21) @ SSU (12-14) Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 7:00PM EST MEDIA COVERAGE Radio : FOX 640AM – FAU @ SSU 7:00PM Ken LaVicka will call the action from Mobile on Saturday. THE SERIES The Owls easily beat the Tigers, 94-68, last season in Boca Raton. Paul Graham was one of five FAU players to score in double figures in that contest. The winning-margin was FAU’s largest of the season and came during a stretch where the Owls reeled off five-straight wins. The programs have split the other two previous meetings. SAVANNAH STATE AT A GLANCE Team Site: Tiger Country The Tigers bring a 10-3 home record into Wednesday night’s game. They consistently plays low-scoring games, averaging 57.0 points per night while giving up 62.7. No player – in what has been a steady starting five – scores in double figures. Savannah State beat Sun Belt member New Orleans 54-44 at Tiger Arena earlier this season and took Michigan into overtime on the road before losing 66-64. They also knocked off Bowling Green. FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT A GLANCE FAU has lost seven league games by nine points or fewer, including a loss at the buzzer to MTSU on January 8th. Paul Graham enjoys a league-best 18.4 points per game, and has scored 33, 25 and 27 in the Owl’s last three games. Graham has seen senior classmate and projected Sun Belt “Player of the Year” Carlos Monroe miss all but six games this year due to injury and eligibility issue. Monroe should be back in the lineup as he made the trip to Savannah. Shavar Richardson (12.1 points p/g) is the Sun Belt’s top freshmen scorer. Brett Royster leads the SBC in blocks with 2.3 per game. The Owls are all but assured of playing on the road (No. 13 vs. No. 4 game) in the Sun Belt Conference postseason tournament, but will look for an upset given the return of Monroe. Pending first round opponents include Middle Tennessee State , North Texas and South Alabama. PROBABLE STARTERS SSU 22 Rashad Hassan F 6-7 215 24 Chris Linton F 6-6 195 20 Jovonni Schuler G 6-4 13 Anthony Jones G 6-3 190 05 Ray Bailey G 5-11 180 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 TBA OWL NEST PREDICTION The Tigers are somewhat similar to the Owls in a couple of ways: 1. They generally play well at home, and not so well on the road. 2. They play a half court offense similar to FAU and have found a hard time getting it to click periodically. But a big difference is seen in scoring roles. Savannah Sate displays consistent scoring across the line-up, and even two deep into the bench; while FAU generally relies on Graham and Richardson for the bigger contributions. Royster should have another productive night inside defensively against the Tigers inside attempts, thus disrupting across the board consistency they rely on. The Tigers will also have a hard time matching anyone up on Graham. These two factors will hopefully give the Owls an advantage that will seal the deal for the first road win of the season. FAU -3
