What: FAU vs South Florida
When: Sunday, March 2nd, 12:00 PM
Where: Yuengling Center, Tampa, FL
Series: USF Leads 15-3
TV: ESPN 2
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Stats broadcast
Line: FAU -2.5
Ken Pom Prediction: FAU 78 USF 76
Owls at a Glance
Offense – 79.6 PPG, 46.4% FG, 35.5% 3PT
Defense – 76.3 PPGA, 43.8% FGA, 38.2% 3PTA
Rebounding – 36.5 RPG Owls, 36.4RPG Opponents
FAU Notes
Florida Atlantic Men’s basketball is back in action this Sunday as the Owls head to Tampa for the second and final regular season matchup with South Florida. FAU defeated USF handily in their last matchup, winning 94-72, and they will look to replicate a similar result on the road as they look to snap their 3 game losing streak.
In their last matchup, the Owls were firing on all cylinders, averaging a whopping 1.31 points per possession while hitting 43% of their triples and on the defensive end they held USF to under 40% from the field, including only 33% on 2-point field goals. The past 3 games have seen a stark difference in offensive consistency and interior defense than the previous matchup with the Bulls, however this game could be an opportunity for FAU to get back on track.
During the past 3 games offensively, FAU has seen their second half offense decrease with each loss, as the Owls scored 40 in the second half against Wichita, 34 against Memphis and it hit a low with only 27 points on 6 made field goals in their last game against UNT. The Owls have been right around or above their 96th ranked season average of 35% from 3 in their past 3 games, however they were under their 87th ranked 2-point percentage of 54% in all 3, also failing to reach their 81st ranked assist rate of 55.9%.
On the defensive side of things, the Owls biggest strength has been their 45th ranked interior defense, allowing only 47.3% on 2-point field goals, however Memphis and North Texas were both above 50%, with UNT hitting 66% of their 2’s. The Owls did snap their 2 game streak of not winning the rebound battle in their most recent game against North Texas, however the interior presence has been lacking as of late for FAU, but Sunday’s game will be a chance to turn the tides.
The Owls have had a different leading scorer in all 3 of their past 3 games, with Kaleb Glenn and Tre Carroll taking the first 2 games, while Leland Walker, who has scored in double figures in 4 straight led the way with 19 against North Texas, the second most points he has scored this year. The diverse scoring has been there for FAU, however they have been unable to generate it consistently and against USF they will look to get that scoring in the second half.
The past 3 games for FAU have put the Owls 5 game win streak earlier in AAC play behind them, however this matchup with USF presents a bounce back opportunity, albeit a difficult one. The Owls found success against the Bulls in their last matchup by severely limiting their paint game, as big man Jamille Reynolds finished 3 of 14 from the field and it hampered their offense as a whole, while offensively, FAU had a really good day which helped, but they assisted on over 50% of their field goals and if they replicate their strong paint defense and ball movement in this one, the Owls should win their first ever road game against USF.
Bulls at a Glance
Offense – 75.2 PPG, 45.2% FG, 32.2% 3PT
Defense – 74.4 PPGA, 43.1% FGA, 32.5% 3PTA
Rebounding – 34.4 RPG Owls, 37.5RPG Opponents
USF notes
South Florida heads into this game at 13-16 overall on the year and losers in 5 of their last 6 games during conference play. It has been a tough year for the Bulls, however they have had some close losses and will have the talent to play spoiler down the stretch and potentially in the AAC tournament.
During their recent rough patch, they have lacked the offensive firepower that helped them in their wins over Wichita State and Temple, as they’ve failed to score 80 in any of their past 6 games including under 70 twice, while defensively outside of North Texas, their opponents in those games have all scored 70 more, with Memphis and UAB each scoring 80. USF hasn’t really found a consistent scorer this season after losing numerous key offensive pieces during the offseason, however the talent is there between Jayden Reid, Kobe Knox and Jamile Reynolds, among others, so they are a threat to get hot, but it just hasn’t happened lately.
On the year, USF has been a fairly efficient team, however their lack of consistent 3 point shooting has left them without much needed offense during AAC play. On the year, they only turn it over 16.6% of the time which is 130th in the nation, they get to the free throw line 35% of the time good for 115th in the country, and they convert 52.3% of their 2-point looks, 135th in the NCAA, however they convert only 32% of their 3s which is 272nd in the country.
Defensively, USF has been good statistically as well, turning teams over 18% of the time which is 123rd, and limiting teams to 49.6% from 2 which is 124th, and 32.6% from 3, good for 126th, however their weak spot has been allowing second chances, currently 336th in the nation, allowing teams to grab an offensive rebound 33.6% of the time.
USF is led on the year by Jamille Reynolds, with the 6’11 big man averaging 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, while Jayden Reid is behind him, averaging 12.1 points and 3.6 assists a game and Kobe Knox rounds out the double figure scorers, checking in with 10.7 points per game. Outside of those 3, the scoring has been inconsistent, but if they can get a big performance from Brandon Stroud or Kasen Jennings alongside their big 3, that will help their offense greatly.
This game doesn’t favor USF statistically, but being at home in front of the So-Flo Rodeo will give them a major boost and a potential path to victory. Outside of the crowd, USF will have to get a better defensive performance than they did in the first game, finding a way to contain FAU from 3 and better defend the paint, however if they can do that, alongside with getting 4 scorers in double figures, they will have a chance of defeating FAU at home.