What: FAU vs Coastal Georgia- Home Opener
When: Friday, November 8th, 7:00 PM
Where: Eleanor R Baldwin Arena
Series: First matchup ever in Men’s Basketball
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Fox Sports 640
Line: N/A
FAU at a Glance
Offense – 97 PPG, 56% FG, 35% 3PT
Defense – 64 PPGA, 33% FGA, 35% 3PTA
Rebounding – 45 RPG Owls, 35 RPG Opponents
FAU Notes
The Home-opener for FAU Men’s basketball is almost upon us, as D2 Coastal Georgia heads to Eleanor R Baldwin Arena to give John Jakus and company their first taste of regular season basketball in paradise. The Owls sold out every home game last season and both Jakus and players alike are excited to see what the first game at home has in store.
The Owls head into this matchup with a ton of momentum off a season opening victory 97-64 victory over Indiana State, a game in which they fell behind early and ultimately finished the first half on a 35-10 run, never looking back. The Owls showed an array of depth in that one, finishing with 6 players in double figures and 40 bench points, led by Nico Moretti, who came off the bench with 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting, 3 of 4 from down-town, also chipping in 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
It was an aggressive effort from the Owls, as after they came out of the u-12 first half timeout tied at 18, they shut down the Indiana State offense with suffocating traps defensively, which they used to get out in transition and capitalize on the other end. FAU utilized their size advantage at times in that one, with Matas Vokietaitis and Baba Miller both finishing perfect from the field against an array of smaller defenders
Now facing off against a smaller Coastal Georgia squad, this will be another opportunity for the Owls big-men to show off what they can do and potentially dominate under the lights at home. Alongside the Owls ability to dominate with their size against ISU, they also found their stroke from 3, finishing 47% from downtown with 5 different players cashing in.
The Owls depth was on full display in the season opener and that is something Jakus mentioned will be a goal throughout the season and this matchup is the Owls final real tune up game before heading into the grind of the non-con and could be a valuable opportunity for everyone to get in their groove. It will also be the first chance for this team to respond to success, as the season opening performance was top-notch, however in college basketball complacency will put you behind the 8-ball.
Immediately following the game, Coach Jakus mentioned assist to turnover ratio as something they will look to improve upon, as they finished with 18 assists on 34 made field goals which was a positive, however they committed 16 turnovers. This is the type of game where FAU should be able to commit very little turnovers and run their offense close to perfectly which could give them confidence heading into a tough UCF matchup.
Ultimately in this one, FAU should be able to handle Coastal Georgia without issue and if they come out of the gates early shooting well from 3, this should be a game where they reach both of their goals of 30 3’s attempted and 100 points scored. Look for Ken Evans Jr., Leland Walker, and KyKy Tandy to potentially have breakout games offensively, as although FAU will want to have a balanced scoring effort this season, those 3 will be able to push them over the edge in close games, and this game could serve as a confidence boost.
CGU at a Glance
Offense – 59 PPG, 38% FG, 27% 3PT
Defense – 70 PPGA, 47% FGA, 30% 3PTA
Rebounding – 30 RPG Owls, 33 RPG Opponents
Coastal Georgia Notes
Coastal Georgia heads into this matchup at 0-3 so far this season, losing their first 3 games by a combined 33 points and failing to shoot better than 40% from the field in 2 of them. The Mariniers started last season 11-3, however they finished the season on an 11 game losing streak and their struggles have plagued them to start the 2024 campaign.
This is a veteran led Coastal Georgia squad which returns 7 players from last season, including their leading scorers so far this season 6 ‘5 Senior G Salle Wilson and 6’ 0 Sophomore G Kaden McArthur, who have averaged 11.7 and 14 points per game respectively through 3 games.
The Mariners currently only have one player 6 ’10 or taller, 6′ 11 F D’ontaye Strawter, a Riviera Beach Native who has averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 3 games off the bench this season. They have opted to start the game with a small ball lineup so far this season, with 6 ‘7 Senior F Jamill Giles starting 2 games and 6’ 8 Sophomore F Jeremiah Camara starting one, averaging 0.7 points, 2 rebounds and 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds respectively.
Turnovers plagued Coastal Georgia in their first 2 matchups against West Georgia where they committed 16, getting it down to 10 against Florida College, however in their 3rd game of the year which was a rematch with WGU, they got their turnovers down to 8 and also forced 14 on the other end. What also hurt them was overall inefficient offense, as they finished under 40% from the field in their first 2 matchups and right at 40% in game 3 and although their defense improved in the second rendition of West Georgia their offense has been scuffling.
This matchup isn’t one where they can look to find their mojo offensively, as FAU checks in with a clear height advantage and limited ISU in their attempts to make up for their lack of height with perimeter shooting. CGU upped their defensive intensity in their last matchup against West Georgia forcing 14 turnovers and ISU was able to force 16 against FAU in the season opener, so that looks to be their path to competing in this game, however the Owls will be looking to clean up their game in this one and if they do it will be hard for the Mariners to keep up.
