Isiah Thomas, left, greets North Carolina coach Roy Williams after his first game coaching the Golden Panthers in November.
Zeroing in on Zeke
Isiah Thomas and FIU come to The Burrow on Saturday night for the most anticipated game of the season
Originally published on
1/29/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic coach Mike Jarvis remembers his son tried to get Isiah Thomas’ autograph after one of the epic playoff battles between Detroit and Boston the 1980s at the Boston Garden.
Jarvis doesn’t remember young Mike Jarvis II returning with Thomas’ signature, but he isn’t holding a grudge.
Jarvis has fonder memories of Thomas before he enrolled at Indiana when he was at the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials and Jarvis was an assistant coach.
“I knew him when he was a player at the Olympic Trials years ago, but there were so many guys there,” Jarvis said. “But I spent time with him at the Sun Belt meetings and when Patrick (Ewing) was inducted into the Hall of Fame, so we talk.”
Though their paths haven’t crossed often, Thomas has a great deal of respect for Jarvis.
“I don’t know him well personally but I have watched his teams play and I’ve always been a fan of the way his teams play,” Thomas said. “He’s been a pioneer in our sport in terms of African-Americans. I have a tremendous respect of what he’s given to the game.”
With the Owls on a four-game winning streak and Thomas coming to town for Saturday's game at 7 p.m., FAU officials are expecting a near-capacity crowd at the 5,000-seat FAU Arena.
Jarvis took the opportunity Thursday on his post-game radio show to urge FAU fans to be respectful of Thomas, who was a Hall of Fame player with the Pistons but a failure as an executive and coach with the Pacers, Raptors and the Knicks.
“I hope that the people come and are very active and very vocal, but I hope they do it with class,” Jarvis said on his post-game radio show following the Owls’ 70-59 victory at South Alabama on Thursday. “All I am asking the Owl fans is to do it with class. If I have to make an announcement over the PA system I will do that. I do not want our fans to embarrass our university or to embarrass themselves.”
Thomas said his team is used to playing in hostile environments and will be ready for the crowd at The Burrow.
“We’ve been in a lot of tough environments and our team has learned to play in front of hostile crowds,” Thomas said. "in the beginning I would say my team was overwhelmed, but in the long run it’s helped.”
Game Capusle: FIU at FAU
Florida International (7-16, 4-6 Sun Belt)
at FAU (11-10, 7-3)
About the Golden Panthers: While FAU played a road game on Thursday, the FIU was back in Miami resting and hasn’t played a game since Saturday. …The Golden Panthers defeated UALR 96-81 Saturday thanks to four players scoring in double figures. …After starting the season 4-13 , FIU is 3-3 in its last six games.
About the Owls: After defeating South Alabama 70-59 on Thursday, FAU has won four consecutive games. …Greg Gantt scored 21 points vs. the Jags, the fifth time he’s scored at least 20 points in the last seven games. …A victory vs. FIU would be the longest winning streak since the Owls won five consecutive games in 2008 under Rex Walters. …
Projected starting lineups
FIU / Head coach Isiah Thomas
- G Steven Miro 6-3 Fr. (3.0 ppg)
- G Stephon Weaver 6-3 Jr. (8.1 ppg)
- F Cedric Essola 6-9 Sr. (3.7 ppg)
- F Marvin Roberts 6-5 Jr. (16.3 ppg)
- F Marlon Bright 6-5 Sr. (9.5 ppg)
FAU / Head coach Mike Jarvis
- G Ray Taylor 5-6 Fr. (14.6 ppg)
- G Greg Gantt 6-2 Fr. (15.4 ppg)
- G Sanchez Hughely 6-4 Jr. (10.0 ppg)
- G Alex Tucker 5-11, So. (5.5 ppg)
- F Brett Royster 6-9 Jr. (9.5 ppg)