What: Shriners Children’s Classic – FAU vs Oklahoma State, 2 TBD matchups
When: Thursday, November 21st, 2:30 PM (Oklahoma State), Friday November 22nd, TBD, Sunday November 24th, TBD.
Where: TD Arena
Series: Tied even between FAU & Oklahoma State
TV: ESPN
Radio: Fox 640
Live Stats: Stats Broadcast
Line: OK State -1.5
FAU notes
Charleston’s newest residents FAU Men’s basketball just wrapped up the field of 68 tournament a few days ago and now they embark on the Shriners Children’s classic; a 3 game Multi-Team Event which will feature multiple pivotal matchups.
The first of those matchups will be Oklahoma State on Thursday at 2:30 PM and the Owls will come in well rested, having 4 days off to practice, scout, and adjust. After that, things could potentially heat up as should they win FAU could find themselves in a matchup with Miami on Friday and should they win the championship event on Sunday.
In the game against Liberty, FAU was able to bounce back defensively following a brief 2 game struggle, which saw Charleston and UCF both find holes in the FAU defense. Early on Liberty was doing the same, however in the second half and overtime FAU was able to limit them to under 40% from 3 and the offense continued to find shots when they needed them.
The Owls have gotten a balanced scoring effort so far, as they gave 8 players averaging 9 points or more and their top 2 leading scorers, Kaleb Glenn and Nico Moretti have come off the bench. Glenn has averaged 16.6 points 4.2 rebounds and a steal through 5 games and has been a spark plug for this team, specifically against Liberty where he took over at times late. Moretti has been able to do it all for FAU, averaging 12.8 points and 5 assists per game, taking on a scoring role at times like we saw against Charleston and Indiana State, or at times a facilitator role, as he’s racked up 2 games with 8 assists so far.
It hasn’t just been their show, as Leland Walker, Ken Evans and KyKy Tandy have all had games with 4+ 3 pointers, each showing an ability to take over, albeit not as consistently as FAU coaches would like. Down low, Matas Vokietaitis, Baba Miller, and Tre Carroll have provided versatility and length which have given teams problems in different ways.
The offense has been flourishing for FAU, as they currently sit 8th in the country in effective FG% at 61%, which is a statistic that values 3 point attempts more than 2. In terms of 3 point percentage itself, FAU sits at 45.8% which is good for 5th in the nation and they are able to get efficient looks at a fast pace, currently checking in at 21st in the nation averaging 14.9 seconds per possession. A lone dark spot has been the Owls ability to pull in offensive rebounds, as despite having a size advantage at times, FAU sits at 314th in the nation only hauling in an offensive rebound 23% of the time,
On the defensive side of the ball, there has been ups and downs, as the Charleston and UCF game have hurt FAU statistically, now checking in at 282nd in the nation in effective FG%, allowing a 55% eFG and 324th in allowed 3%, at 39.5%. On the positive side of things, FAU has been solid on the glass allowing an offensive rebound only 24.8% of the time which is 62nd in the nation, also recording a steal on 11.3% of possessions and a block on 11.7, which is good for 114th and 115th in the nation respectively.
The Owls are going to be facing Oklahoma State off the bat, a team which will be looking to move at a high tempo as well and starting off this tournament shooting the ball well will not only help them in that game, but give them confidence throughout the tournament as a whole. Defensively, this will give them an opportunity to continue to show their improvement against a team which not only moves at a high tempo, but is efficient as well.
FAU will only have one meaningful non-conference game remaining following this tournament, against Michigan State on December 21st. It’s important for them to find a way to at least win 2 games in this tournament and potentially all of them, as even though it’s early in the season, performing strongly will put them in the best position possible for an at-large bid.
Oklahoma State notes
Oklahoma State checks into the tournament at 3-0, having started the Will Lutz era off on the right foot and they have been doing it in similar fashion as FAU, with a majority new roster.
The Cowboys are led by Abou Ousame, a 6’10 transfer from Xavier who has flourished in his first year, stuffing the stat-sheet with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Alongside him Marchelus Avery, a 6’8 UCF transfer has averaged 14.7 points and 4 rebounds, giving the team a lengthy forward who can contribute from 3.
The guard unit is a real strength of this team, as returner Bryce Thompson, a 6’6 G has chipped in 14.3 points and 3.7 rebounds, and WKU transfer Brandon Newman, a 6’5 G has contributed 8.7 points and 3 rebounds, while Khalil Brantley a 6’1 G has averaged 7.7 points 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. This is an extremely diverse trio, which has found ways to hurt teams from 3 and on the drive, also all serving as solid defenders.
Like FAU, Oklahoma State will look to move quickly, currently checking in at 15.1 seconds per possession and they have been efficient shooting the ball from deep, shooting at 37.5% from 3. Their weak spot has been at points where teams have been able to slow them down from behind the arc, as they are converting on less than 50% of their 2 point attempts.
Defensively, they have been solid at times, forcing a turnover on 25.5% of possessions, good for 11th in the country, however other times they have struggled, allowing teams to shoot 42% from 3 which is 352nd in the nation and a 58% eFG which is 334th. This could be detrimental against a team like FAU which will look to shoot as many 3’s as possible and if they can’t figure out how to limit FAU, this game may go in the Owls favor.
Their pace and ability to convert from 3 will help Oklahoma State stay in this game, however if they’re going to finish it off and beat FAU they will have to slow them down on the other end. 2 high paced teams will create a fun matchup, however this one will come down to which sides defense steps up.
Round 2
Depending on how FAU performs in round 1, they will match up with either Drake or Miami on Friday at 11:30 AM.
Miami comes into this season with high expectations following a bit of a down year and have impressed so far winning all 3 games and getting diverse scoring. Like FAU, Miami has 7 players averaging 9 points or more. Nigel Pack, Jalen Blackmon and Lynn Kidd have all averaged 14.0 PPG or more getting solid scoring from their guards and big man. They have been extremely efficient, getting an effective field goal percentage at 66% and have shot from 3 at 42.7% which is 14th in the nation.
Drake is led by first year head coach Ben McCollum and they have also started the year at 3-0, having last defeated FGCU 63-61 at home. They have been led by transfer guard Bennett Stirtz, a 6’4 G who has averaged 18.7 points 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while 6’6 senior transfer Daniel Abreu has averaged 17.7 points 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Drake isn’t the same team that made the NCAAT last season, however they bring in 2 guards who can both takeover the game and FAU will need to contain them should they match up, but they lack the size to really contain fau only having 2 players 6 ‘8 or taller.
