NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The Florida Atlantic University’s men’s basketball team is in the East Regional final, the Elite Eight, and one win away from the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The No. 9 seed Florida Atlantic Owls (34-3) will face the No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats (26-9) on Saturday for a chance to qualify for the NCAA Final Four. Tip-off is set for 6:09 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden. The winner will be named the champion of the East Region and earn a bid to Houston’s NRG Stadium for a chance to make the NCAA National Championship.
| No. 9 Seed Florida Atlantic (34-3) vs. No. 3 Seed Kansas State (26-9) | |
| Game Details | New York City, New York | March 25 | Madison Square Garden 6:09 p.m. ET |
| Game Coverage | Watch: TBS | Tickets Listen: FoxSports 640am South Florida | Twitter: @FAUMBB |
| FAU Links | News | Roster | Schedule |
| Kansas State Links | News | Roster | Schedule |
The Garden turned into an Owls’ nest on Thursday night in the 62-55 win over No. 4 seed Tennessee, as the deafening Florida Atlantic crowd chanted for their team during a 18-2 run in the second half that sparked the FAU win. After trailing for the entire first half, the Owls outscored the Volunteers 40-28 in the second frame to take the victory.
Entering this year’s NCAA tournament, FAU had only made the Big Dance once before in 2002 and had never won a game. Now in 2023, the Owls have won three and find themselves as one of the last eight teams standing in college basketball.
The Owls now have the most wins in a single season in Conference USA history at 34.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Dusty May
On advancing to the elite eight
“Well, obviously we’re extremely excited to still be playing and surviving and advancing like much of the year. Last night is a great example of different guys stepping up for our team in a cumulative effort, and like I said, we’re excited to face Kansas State tomorrow.”
Senior Guard Michael Forrest
On what made this team break-out
“Just the level of focus and intensity that these guys come into workouts with every day since the end of last season. Everyone has been coming in with their hardhat on and giving their best effort. Whether it’s on the court or in film, like everyone is always giving 100 percent. That’s really what’s helped us out a whole lot.”
Junior Guard Bryan Greenlee
On the matchup against Kansas State
“Obviously, they’re a very talented group. From what I saw yesterday just by watching the game in person, they’ve got a floor general as a point guard who can get everyone involved. And Keyontae Johnson is obviously like a freak athlete, very aggressive. We just are going to trust the scout, lock into what we see on the film and what the coaches tell us to do and just execute that the best we can.”
NEWS & NOTES
- With the win over Tennessee, head coach Dusty May achieved his 100th career victory. This adds to May’s massive list of season accomplishments that include the Conference USA Coach of the Year, the NABC All-District 17 Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year Semifinalist, leading the team to a school record 34 wins, first NCAA Tournament appearance in 21 years and first three NCAA Tournament wins
- Despite a disadvantage in size against Tennessee, the Owls did not let this get in the way of fighting for every rebound. They finished with another rebounding advantage, 40-36, moving them to 28-0 on the season when they win the battle of the boards
- Johnell Davis led the team in scoring for the second straight game, this time dropping 15 points
- Nick Boyd had an all-around game, scoring 12 points and adding eight rebounds
- Forrest had his breakout game of the tournament against the Vols, scoring 11 points. His eight straight points with 10 minutes to go helped give the Owls the lead to send them on their way to the Elite Eight
- This will be the first ever Owls-Wildcats matchup. Kansas State earned their spot in the elite eight after a Sweet Sixteen victory that saw a historic performance from senior guard Markquis Nowell, who dropped 20 points and an NCAA tournament record 19 assists
- The Wildcats are also led by Keyontae Johnson, averaging 17.7 points-per-game and 6.9 rebounds per game
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