What: FAU @ UCF
When: Tuesday, November 12th, 7:00 PM
Where: Addition Financial Arena @UCF
Series: UCF leads 22-10 all time
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Statsbroadcast
Line: UCF -6.5
FAU at a Glance
Offense – 82 PPG, 47% FG, 35% 3PT
Defense – 73 PPGA, 43% FGA, 33% 3PTA
Rebounding – 38 RPG Owls, 34 RPG Opponents
FAU Notes
FAU heads to Orlando for a battle with UCF on Tuesday in the Owls first big test of the season. Both of these squads check in at 2-0, with UCF having a ranked win under their belt, upsetting #13 Texas A&M in their first game of the season.
The Owls have dominated their first 2 matchups of the season, defeating Indiana State 97-64 and Coastal Georgia 99-49. It was a diverse effort in both matchups as the Owls finished with 90 bench points combined in those 2 games and have had different leading scorers in both matchups.
Through 2 games, 7 players are averaging double figures with Ken Evans Jr leading the way 14.0 Points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game. Kaleb Glenn and Nico Moretti have come off the bench with energy in both matchups with Glenn averaging 13.5 PPG, 4.0 rebounds, and a steal, while Moretti has averaged 13 PPG 3.5 rebounds and 6 Assists, while Veteran Tre Carroll has chipped in 11 PPG and 8 Rebounds off the bench as well.
It hasn’t been a single player, it has been a general team effort as 4 out of 5 starters are in double figures, with Evans, KyKy Tandy and Leland Walker all finding success at times, and both Baba Miller and Matas Vokietaitis have used their size to their advantage with Vokietaitis averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Miller 7.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3.5 steals.
After Miller and Moretti led the Owls in scoring during game 1, they took on different roles in game 2, with Moretti finishing with 8 assists and Miller with 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. This team’s unselfishness has helped different players lead the way through 2 games and allowed for a deep Owls squad, one that may go 7-8 deep off of the bench, to find confidence across the board.
For a team that a majority of came together in only a few months, they have looked to be in sync with each other offensively, currently sitting at second in the country in tempo, with an average possession length of 12.9 seconds which only trails SMU who averages 12.4 seconds. An offense that finds its shot quickly is something that John Jakus mentioned during the offseason as something that could be a feature of this squad and so far they have achieved that and it has led to offensive success across the board.
Defensively, the Owls have been aggressive, forcing 45 turnovers across 2 games and they have utilized getting out and running in transition which helps them find their shot quickly on the other end. Although these 2 matchups were not the best example of what the Owls will be facing off against in UCF, it showed their ability to defend in different ways, with Pesky ball guards, athletic wings and size to limit opportunities at the rim.
In both matchups, the Owls started a bit slow from deep before finding their shot and finishing the 1st half in both games on huge runs which ultimately carried them to big wins. In this matchup coming out of the gates connecting from 3 would give them a huge boost and help them find their offense early and keep up with what could potentially be a high octane offense for UCF.
The Owls array of depth and gives them the ability to rotate for matchup purposes which against a UCF team which brings in size and athleticism will be key for them in this one. UCF has a dynamic guard duo in Darius Johnson and Jordan Ivy-Curry, both who can score at a high level and the Owls will need to continue getting into the passing lanes at a high rate, which if they can do will limit their opportunities and disrupt their offense.
FAU has the size to compete with UCF in this one and have veteran guards who are sound defensively against the Knights explosive duo. The key for FAU in this one is finding their rhythm early offensively, which will allow them to gain confidence and if they are able to limit UCF’s guard play, could potentially lead to an upset on the road.
UCF at a Glance
Offense – 69 PPG, 38% FG, 21% 3PT
Defense – 64 PPGA, 39% FGA, 28% 3PTA
Rebounding – 39 RPG UCF, 36 RPG Opponents
UCF Notes
UCF started out their season with a huge win at home, defeating Texas A&M 64-61 backed by 40 points combined between Darius Johnson and Jordan Ivy-Curry, the latter whom Owls fans should be familiar with for his time with UTSA. Their next game was against Purdue Fort Wayne, a game they only won 75-68, however this time their front court played a huge role with 7-footer Moustapha Thiam finishing with 13 points and 6 boards, while Keyshawn Hall their 6’7 forward finish with 14 points and 12 rebounds, ultimately though Ivy-Curry found himself at the top of the score column with 18.
This UCF squad has developed tremendously from a year ago, now with 2 guards in Johnson and Ivy-Curry, both who are capable of taking over games, while they have length defensively and a force down-low in Thiam who can give the Owls big-men a slew of problems. One of their biggest strengths so far through 2 games has been their ability to limit both Texas A&M and PDFW from 3, allowing a combined 28.8% form 3 in 2 games, something that could potentially give the FAU offense problems.
In their last one PDFW was able to stay in the game as although UCF limited them to less than 30% from 3, they held UCF to 2 of 20, good for 10% from 3 on the day which left their offense discombobulated at times, however they overcame it with aggressive play and a willingness to get to the line. FAU has been able to get into the passing lanes at times this season and if they are able to disrupt UCF’s 3 point game, this game could turn in their favor, however they will also have to be stout near the rim.
UCF was able to hold Wade Taylor, a potential NBA prospect to 4 of 15 from the field in the season opener and their on ball defending has been really sound so far, however they have equally been aggressive in jumping in the pass lanes, as they forced 13 turnovers in that one. With the Knights having the size to limit the Owls paint opportunities with Vokietaitis and others on drives to the rim, if they are able to limit chances on the perimeter they will have a chance to seriously disrupt this FAU offense.
FAU has had cold streaks at time from downtown this season, starting last game 1 of 8 before finding their shot and for the Knights, if the Owls are cold early they have to be able to keep them that way. UCF has scoring potetna in a lot of places and if they are able to make the Owls one-dimensional offensively, that could potentially make it hard for FAU to keep up.
Ultimately UCF has a lot of size and talented guard play on this roster and they could win this game off that alone, however FAU is equally as sized and arguably as talented at guard. This game will most likely be closely contested and the Knights will need to limit the Owls opportunities on the perimeter and prevent them from finding their first look and if they can do that find ways to convert offensively without turning it over that will put them in a solid position.
