| 2/17/2024 | No. 24 Men’s Basketball BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 24 Florida Atlantic men’s basketball team (20-5, 10-2 AAC) heads to Tampa on Sunday to face new in-state conference rival USF (18-5, 11-1 AAC), tipping off at 12 p.m. EST and airing on ESPN.It will be a matchup between the top two teams in the American Athletic Conference. While the Owls hold the better season record, the Bulls currently sit at the top of the conference with a one game advantage in AAC play.There are 16 previous matchups between the two, of which USF has won 14. The Owls will be looking for their first road win over the Bulls. No. 24 Florida Atlantic (20-5, 10-2 AAC) at USF (18-5 11-1 AAC) Game Details Sunday, Feb. 18 | 12 p.m. (EST) | Yuengling Center | Tampa, Florida Game Coverage Live Stats | ESPN | Game Notes | FoxSports 640am South Florida Florida Atlantic Links Roster | Schedule | News USF Links Roster | Schedule | News Social Media X | Instagram | Facebook LAST TIME OUT Florida Atlantic hosted Temple on Thursday, Feb. 15. In the battle of the Owls, it was FAU who took the 80-68 victory thanks to a first half that saw them convert 53.6% of their shots from the field. For the second game in a row, five players scored in double figures: junior guard Johnell Davis (17), senior guard Brandon Weatherspoon (16), redshirt sophomore guard Nick Boyd (12), and junior center Vlad Goldin (12). STATS & NOTES Davis, recently named to the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Top 30 Midseason Team, has 18 straight games scoring in double figures Weatherspoon is averaging 15.7 points per game in the last three. He has converted 17 of his 25 shot attempts, nine of them coming from beyond the arc FAU reached the 20-win mark for the third time in program history and for the second consecutive season Despite the USF Bulls being a game ahead in the AAC standings, the Owls statistically outpace them in almost every category. Out of 14 AAC teams, FAU is second in points per game (83.3), field goal percentage (48%), three-point field goal percentage (36.8%), and assists (15.3)83.3 points per game ranks 19th nationwide. In their 20 wins, Florida Atlantic is averaging 86.7 points per game which would rank fifth if applied over a whole season The Owls are ranked 24th in the nation in effective field goal percentage (.553) With 10 straight victories, the Bulls are tied for the third current longest winning streak in the nation USF’s offensive attack is led by senior guard Chris Youngblood, leading the team with 14.7 points per game. This ranks 10th in the AAC UP NEXT The Owls will return to the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on Thursday, Feb. 22 to face SMU (18-7, 9-3 AAC). Tipping off at 6 p.m. EST, the game will be aired on ESPN2. WATCH PARTIES The Florida Atlantic Alumni Association will be hosting multiple free watch parties for Sunday’s matchup. Alumni are encouraged to head to American Social in Boca Raton as well as Dave and Busters in Hollywood to cheer on the Owls. Both events will include drink specials and more. For more info click HERE. FOLLOW THE OWLS To stay up to date on all things FAU men’s basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB. Florida Atlantic’s 2023-24 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura. |
