FAU senior guard Shavar Richardson needs five points to score his 1,000th career point. (Owl Access Photo)
Searching for a spark
FAU will be looking to gain some momentum heading into the Sun Belt Conference tournament by beating Troy in the last game of the regular season.
Originally published on
2/24/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – After its 79-76 overtime loss to South Alabama on Thursday, Florida Atlantic can't earn a bye in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
That doesn't mean there isn't plenty riding on Saturday's game against Troy.
“It's huge not because of the record, it's huge because of the psyche, the attitude and mentality” said FAU coach Mike Jarvis. “ Saturday is important but we're going to be playing a team that has won less games than us. We want to win so you can head to the tournament coming off a victory. ….The season will be over very quickly if we don't find a way to play consistent basketball – which we haven't.”
The Owls (11-17, 7-8 Sun Belt) have lost three consecutive games and a loss to Troy (9-17, 4-11) would have them entering the tournament on a four-game losing streak.
“Saturday is a must-win for us so we can have at least a little bit of momentum going into the tournament,” said FAU senior guard Shavar Richardson. “We'll have a few days of practice next week, but a win would help our cause.”
FAU currently holds the No. 7 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament heading into Saturday's game and would have to win four games to win the championship, which would be the longest winning streak of the season for the Owls.
“We'll see what happens there and you never know,” Jarvis said. “Sometimes miracles do happen.”
Need to Knows: Trojans @ Owls
Troy (9-17, 4-11 Sun Belt)
at FAU (11-17, 7-8 Sun Belt)
- When: 7 p.m., Saturday
- Where: The Burrow
- Tickets: 1-866-FAUOwls
- Radio: ESPN760
- Internet audio: ESPN760
- Scouting the Trojans: The Trojans are coming off a 75-70 overtime victory at FIU on Thursday. ...Troy is 2-5 on the road in the Sun Belt. ...The Tojans are currently the No. 11 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournamemnt.
- Scouting the Owls: Seniors Shavar Richardson and Alex Tucker will be honored before plaing in their last home game. Richardson is five points away from scoring his 1,000th career point. FAU G Dennis Mavin has scored in double digits in three consecutive games.
- Projected starting lineups
Troy: Coach Don Maestri
G Will Weathers 6-1 Jr. (11.4 ppg)
G Emil Jones 6-3 Jr. (9.9 ppg)
G Alan Jones 6-0 Jr. (10.0 ppg)
F Justin Wright 6-5 Jr. (10.6 ppg)
F Tim Owens 6-9 Sr. (5.2 ppg)
FAU: Coach Mike Jarvis
G Alex Tucker 5-10 Sr. (4.5 ppg)
G Greg Gannt 6-2 Jr. (13.8 ppg)
G Ray Taylor 5-10 Sr. (9.4 ppg)
G Kelvin Penn 6-6 Fr. (2.5 ppg)
F Kore White 6-8 Jr. (7.6 ppg)