FAU Mens basketball has finalized who they are going to go to battle against in year 1 of the John Jakus era. John Jakus wanted to put together a strong non-conference schedule along with their conference opponents that would allow the Owls to compete on a national landscape once again, and hes done that, lining up multiple opportunities for FAU to prove themselves against P4 teams. In 2023, FAU challenged themselves immensely with what ended up being 4 games against power 4 opponents and in 2024, there is a possibility that is the case once again as the Owls have confirmed matchups with UCF and Michigan State and Oklahoma State (Charleston Classic), and could potentially add 2 more P4 games through the Charleston Classic. Below are all of the matchups, first starting with the road non-conference opponents, then neutral, and lastly home. Road Non-conference games: November 12th: UCF FAUs first P4 road addition to their schedule was UCF early in the offseason, and although the Knights werent a huge force in the Big 12 in the first year, they made some noise and are poised to be better in 2024. This is a huge game for both resume building for an at-large bid, but also in-state recruiting battles as both of these squads could potentially compete for players both in the portal and out of high school. Look for this one to be a battle, but a win here for FAU would be a huge statement victory early in the Jakus era. November 15th: Charleston The Owls will face off against the Cougars for 1 of 2 games in this year’s Field of 68 invitational, which will be hosted by Charleston this year after previously being hosted at FAU last year. Pat Kelsey departs Charleston after a successful tenure, and former Xavier coach Chris Mack takes over after a hiatus from Coaching. Mack worked diligently in replacing departed talent following Kelseys move to Louisville, and the Cougars boast the 40th ranked recruit class in the country in Macks first year. Look for Charleston to come out fired up hosting a tournament in front of their home crowd, and the atmosphere may be backed by a media frenzy as Mack formerly worked for the events host, Field of 68 as an analyst, and the media company may have some tricks up their sleeve planned for their former co-worker. December 4th: FIU The last scheduled matchup currently between these former conference foes and regional opponents, the Owls head south to Miami to face the Panthers in the final half of a home-and-home that was scheduled following the Owls move to the AAC. FAU boat-raced FIU in their matchup last season 94-60, and have not lost in their last 8 matchups with the panthers dating back to 2020. FIU is slated to be a middle of the pack, to bottom tier C-USA team, and didnt bring in any overwhelming talent to replace the loss of Arturo Dean, who was far and away the squads best player in 2023. FAU shouldnt overlook the Panthers in this one, as they may come out fired up looking to upset the Owls in what potentially could be the last basketball matchup between the two foes until a new agreement is worked out. However, should FAU handle business in this one, a win in Miami will be valued more than the Owls blow-out of the Panthers at home last season, although not by much. December 21st: Michigan State In what could work out to be the Crown Jewel in the Owls non-conference schedule, FAU was able to secure a road buy game Vs Michigan State right before Christmas. Road buy games for a upper tier Mid-Major vs a P4 opponent are hard to come by, so for FAU to add this game is a huge addition to the schedule and could play major dividends should the Owls find themselves in contention for an At-Large bid. Michigan State looks to make another return to the NCAA tournament under Tom Izzo, and the Spartans have struggled in challenging non-conference games over the past few years and if FAU is able to keep this one close, it could turn into a battle. Should the Owls be able to pull off a victory in this matchup, it has the potential to carry the same level of weight as the Arizona victory in 2023 did. That will be easier said than done however, and for the Owls to compete in this one they will need a high level of continuity in the early part of the Jakus era, which is not out of the question, but not an easy task nevertheless. Neutral-Site Matchups: November 4th- Indiana State: FAU will open their season in Xenia, Ohio in a stand-alone matchup against top tier Mid-Major foe Indiana State in the Athletes in Action season tip-off. Both of these squads debut new coaches, as Matthew Graves takes over at Indiana State following the departure of Josh Schertz to Saint Louis and this will be an early season litmus test for both of these squads. This is top-tier scheduling for the Owls, as rather than open up with a buy-game at home, or risk being the home-opener for a program looking to make a statement, the Owls matchup with another team who could find themselves right on the at-large bubble come the end of the season. This matchup will allow for the winner to have a head-to-head victory over another team that is competing for an at-large bid, which will play major dividends when it comes time for the committee to make their choices. Not only will this be the first opportunity to see the 2024 Owls in action, but this is a major opportunity right off the bat for John Jakus and Co. to make a statement and show the world that FAU is here to stay. November 16th: Liberty In the second matchup of the Field of 68 Classic, FAU will matchup with Liberty for the second straight year and will take on the Flames a day after their matchup against Charleston. Liberty has been a consistent improver in the Cbb world over the past couple of years, and Ritchie McKay runs a well oiled machine that will capitalize on mistakes if an opponent lets them. FAU was able to handle Liberty without problems on their home court last season and on a neutral court it will be a bit more difficult, but the Owls will need to look to play a clean game and limit opportunities that allow Liberty to gain an advantage. Should the Owls pull out a victory against Liberty, that will be an important resume building win if Liberty is in contention come the end of the season. Charleston Classic: November 21st- Oklahoma State November 22-TBD November 24th-TBD FAU made a huge addition to their schedule when they announced they would be apart of the Charleston Classic, and the tournament has already begun paying dividends, giving the Owls a P4 neutral site matchup against an OK State team who are looking to be improved following a coaching change after a down 2023. Although Oklahoma State isnt expected to be a power in the Big12, similar to UCF this season is slated to be a better one and an early win against them could pay dividends in the long run for FAU. This will be a huge matchup for FAU as a win will allow them to continue through the winners side of the bracket and potentially add up to 2 more P4 matchups to their schedule. On the 22nd, FAU will either play Drake or Miami, depending on how the first matchup goes and an instate opponent in Miami is a game many fans want on their schedule. On the last day of the tournament, the 24th, FAU will face off against either Vanderbilt, Seton Hall, VCU or Nevada, and in an ideal world the Owls draw Vanderbilt and are able to add another P4 game to their schedule. Home Non-Conference Matchups: October 26th: Saint Leo University (Exhibition) FAU will be hosting Saint Leo in an exhibition matchup to start their 2024 home campaign which will not count towards their regular season win-loss count, but will allow fans to get an early peak at the new squad. FAU has played Saint Leo 7 times in regular season matchups, last in 1992 and the Owls currently hold a 5-2 advantage all time over them. Saint Leo finished 11-17 in 2023 and represent the Sunshine State Conference of Division II. November 8th: Coastal Georgia The in-season Elly chapter of the John Jakus era tips-off with NAIA coastal Georgia on November 8th as the Owls will have a tune up game prior to heading on the road for a road affair with UCF and the Charleston Classic to follow. This is an opportunity for FAUs new era to make a positive impression in front of a home fanbase who will be wanting to get back to the success they had the past 2 seasons. Coastal Georgia went 11-14 in 2023, losing their final 11 games of the season and having multiple forfeits. November 30th: FGCU The revenge game is on the schedule, as the second half of the home and home with FGCU is set for November 30th in paradise. FGCU defeated FAU 72-68 in 2023 in an early season affair which left the Owls with a bad taste in their mouth all season until they received their at large bid. This season is a chance for FAU to get that game back in Boca Raton and with students expected to be in town prior to winter break, it should be a raucous atmosphere in front of the flamingos. FGCU loses 2 of their most productive players in 67 F Zach Anderson who transfers to George Mason, and Isaiah Thompson who graduates, however they retain big man Keshawn Kelleman and PG Dallion Johnson and the two will be a formidable duo. Outside of that, FGCU didnt break in a crazy amount of production and FAU should bs favored, however it will be one FAU veterans make sure the team gets up for. December 10th: Jacksonville University Former A-Sun foe Jacksonville is headed to paradise for the first home game of December and it will be the first of 2 challenging mid-major opponents the Owls face prior to a road tilt with MSU on December 21st. FAU has matched up with Jacksonville 21 times in the program’s history, with JU holding an 11-10 advantage in the series, however FAU is currently on a 5 game win-streak. Jacksonville is lead by 4th year head Coach Jordan Mincy who looks to institute a defensive centric gameplan, and his team is 31-3 when limiting teams to under 60 points. Last season was an up-and-down one for the Sharks, as they finished 16-17, going 11-3 on their home court but 3-14 on the road. Jacksonville will be giving it their all, looking for a huge win on the road in back to back years as they upset VCU on the road last season. Once again FAU will be favored in this matchup, but it is one they cant let their guard down on. December 14th: Texas State The final home game of the non-conference game is going to be an important one as FAU plays a relatively challenging opponent in Texas State before a week off and a matchup with Michigan State. Its tough to bring competitive opponents into paradise, as the Owls 1 loss in the last 2 years is something that is known around the country and although Texas State isnt a premier Mid-Major, they will bring a solid fight into paradise looking to bring a win back for The Sun Belt Conference. The 2 squads have matched up once all-time, in the 2016 Outrigger Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, where Texas State came out on top 61-57. Texas State went 17-18 in 2023, but they went on a run in the Sun Belt Conference tournament going to the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion James Madison 73-68. They lose their leading scorer from last season in Brandon Love as he transferred to Nevada, so Texas State will be looking to find their mojo in the non-Conference schedule. Expect another game where FAU is favored, but Texas State will be a pesky foe coming to paradise.
