(Photo Christian Proscia) After an offseason of anticipation FAU Mens Basketball has finalized their schedule for the 2024-2025 season. On Thursday afternoon the AAC finalized the dates of conference play, giving FAU numerous important matchups at home, while also sending them on the road into some tough environments. FAU has a potentially daunting non-conference schedule, however John Jakus believes in his team and their ability to compete in year one and should they make it through the first half of the season, the second half will give them a chance to set themselves up for postseason play. Schedule breakdown FAU will open the AAC slate with a fan-favorite matchup at home against Memphis on January 2nd, giving John Jakus his first taste of the budding rivalry. Although the dorms will still be closed due to winter break, Eleanor R Baldwin will undoubtedly be a raucous atmosphere packed with students, locals and basketball fans alike. Following that matchup, FAU will hit the road for matchups against ECU on January 5th and Charlotte and Giancarlo Rosado on the 8th, before returning home for a battle against AAC conference champion UAB on the 12th. That stretch will be an early season test of FAU against multiple top teams in the AAC and will show whether this team has what it takes to compete in the first year of a new era. FAU heads back on the road to battle with Tulane on January 15th, a team that is looking to get back to competing atop the AAC and if it wasnt for the heroics of Alijah Martin, would have defeated FAU in Louisiana last season. Following that, FAU gets a heavy dose of Texas as they return home for a battle with Rice on the 19th and then head to the Super Pit in Denton, Texas for a battle with North Texas and Brenen Lorient on the 26th, before heading back home for a battle with UTSA on the 29th to close out January. After that stretch, a big game with USF is on tap at the Elly on February 2nd as the 2023 AAC regular season champions head to Boca with the Owls looking to avenge last season’s loss in Tampa. A matchup in Tulsa on February 8th will follow the USF game, before FAU heads home 2 days later for the second matchup with the 49ers on the 10th. FAU hits the road on the 16th for a battle with Temple who knocked the Owls out of the AAC tournament and then they return home on the 20th for a matchup with Wichita State. A huge battle follows the matchup with the shockers, as FAU heads to Memphis on the 23rd for the final matchup against the Tigers in what will be a great environment at the forum. The final 4 games of the season are a tough test, as FAU takes on North Texas at home on the 27th to close out February, and head to Tampa for a tussle with USF on the 2nd of March. FAU will close out the season with a road and home split as they go to Birmingham for a battle with UAB on March 6th and close out the year at home vs ECU. Final thoughts Overall this is a fun schedule for the Owls as they get to host Memphis, UAB, USF, UNT, and Charlotte, all games that have the potential to be great games. Road matchups with Memphis, UNT, USF, UAB, and Tulane will all be huge tests for the Owls, as they looked to rack up potential statement wins in year 1 of the Jakus era. If FAU can gain momentum from the non-conference portion of the schedule, they have the potential to start off the new year with energy against Memphis in the AAC opener. From there, FAU needs to find ways to battle through a schedule that will be a tough test but is more than capable at setting them up to be competitive in the AAC tournament and potentially beyond. FAU is getting a fair shake of talented opponents at home and will have to face numerous tests on the road, however that is something that can build a culture which John Jakus will be looking to establish in year 1. Its unknown how everything will click on the court and if FAU is unable to put it all together the AAC is a conference where you will be left behind fast, so its imperative the Owls make it through the non-conference stretch with momentum and coke ready to fight in their second year in the AAC. Full schedule Non-Con: Exhibition 10/26 home vs Saint Leo Charity Exhibition 11/1 away vs Auburn Season Opener 11/4, neutral site (Xenia, Ohio) vs Indiana State Home regular season Opener 11/8 vs Coastal Georgia @UCF 11/12 @Charleston 11/15 Neutral site (Charleston) vs Liberty 11/16 Neutral site (Charleston) vs OK state 11/21 Neutral Site (Charleston) vs Drake or Miami 11/22 Neutral Site (Charleston) opp TBD 11/24 Home vs FGCU 11/30 Home vs FIU 12/4 Home vs Jacksonville 12/10 Home vs Texas State 12/14 @ Michigan State 12/21 AAC slate: Jan 2. Home vs Memphis Jan 5. @ ECU Jan 8. @Charlotte Jan 12. Home vs UAB Jan 15. @Tulane Jan 19. Home vs Rice Jan 26. @North Texas Jan 29. @UTSA Feb 2. Home vs USF Feb 8. @Tulsa Feb 10. Home vs Charlotte Feb 16. @Temple Feb 20. Home vs Wichita State Feb 23. @Memphis Feb 27. Home vs North Texas March 2. @USF March 6. @UAB March 9. Home vs ECU
