FAU guard Sanchez Hughley looks to get a shot off in Saturday’s 96-93 overtime loss to South Alabama. (FAUOwlAccess photo)
Hoping for a reversal
FAU will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak against Troy, but Owls coach Mike Jarvis said he considers last Saturday’s loss a victory.
Originally published on
1/6/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Although FAU will be trying to start a winning streak on Thursday vs. Troy, to FAU coach Mike Jarvis it seems as if the Owls already have one going.
Jarvis said he counts Saturday’s 96-93 loss in overtime to South Alabama as a victory.
“We won that game, I was very encouraged,” Jarvis said. “As far as I am concerned we won that game.”
Jarvis said the officiating was so poor in the game, he contacted the Sun Belt Conference and will be sending a tape of 12 calls which he thinks the officials got wrong.
“I probably haven’t done enough and something has to be done,” Jarvis said. “If I just sit back and say nothing then I’m basically part of the problem. The only way to be part of the solution is to take the time that I shouldn’t have to spend, put what I am saying is wrong on tape and send it to the conference. Maybe other coaches will do the same and then maybe that will bring about some changes.”
In the game, South Alabama shot 45 free throws while the Owls attempted just 26.
The officiating, Jarvis said, cost the Owls (5-9, 1-2) a victory in one of the best games the team has played all season.
“I consider it a victory and in spite of being in one of the worst officiated games I’ve ever been involved in my life, we still should have won the game,” Jarvis said. “As far as I am concerned it was a victory and we’ll build on it.”
Unfortunately for Jarvis, the loss will likely stand, giving FAU a five game losing streak heading into the game vs. the Trojans, who leads the Sun Belt in scoring with 81. 1 points per game.
“Troy is very good,” Jarvis said. “Troy is a team that is going to try and outscore you. For us to beat Troy, we’re going to have to score and make them play more defense than they probably want to play.”
Troy (8-6, 3-0 Sun Belt)
at FAU (5-9, 1-2)
About the Trojans: Troy’s 3-0 start in Sun Belt play is the longest conference winning streak in school history…The Trojans are tied with South Alabama atop the SBC’s East Division…Troy’s Michael Vogler is second in the Sun Belt and No. 14 in the nation with 5.8 assists per game.
About the Owls: Ray Taylor leads the Sun Belt and is No. 12 in the nation with 6.1 assists per game…Brett Royster leads the Sun Belt and is No. 13 in the nation with 3.1 blocks per game…FAU is last in the Sun Belt in field goal percentage, shooting 39.7 from the floor.
Projected starting lineups
Troy / Head coach Don Maestri
G Michael Vogler 6-1 Sr. (11.6 ppg)
G Brandon Hazzard 6-2 Sr. (18.9 ppg)
G Richard Delk 6-4 Sr. (13.0 ppg)
F Antwyn Jones 6-6 Sr. (8.9 ppg)
F Yamene Coleman 6-9 Sr. (10.0 ppg)
FAU / Head coach Mike Jarvis
G Ray Taylor 5-6 Fr. (17.2 ppg)
G Greg Gantt 6-2 Fr. (13.2 ppg)
G Sanchez Hughely 6-4 Jr. (9.0 ppg)
F Brett Royster 6-9 Jr. (9.6 ppg)
F Demonte Simpson 6-9 Fr. (5.6 ppg)