BASKETBALL CUSA Semi-finals: Middle Tennessee (19-13, 11-9) vs FAU (29-3, 18-2), CBSSN, 11:30, Friday, March 10, 2023

[SpaceRaider]

Location: Boca Raton, FL
Enrollment: 30,377
Arena: FAU Arena (2,980)
Colors: Blue & Red Nickname: Owls
Head Coach: Dusty May
Record at School: 66-56 (5th Season) Career Record: 66-56 ( 5th Season)
2021-22 Record: 19-15, 11-7 2021-22 Finish: 3rd C-USA East 2021-22 Postseason: CBI First Round
Starters R/L: 4/1 Letterwinners R/L: 9/2

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[SpaceRaider]

 

[MidTennMtneer]

For CUSA to be a two bid league, and get more units meaning more money, we need FAU to lose as they are in no matter what.

I won't fuss in the least if they lose today instead of tomorrow.

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[MTFAN61]

This is a really unique team to me. While I wouldn't trust this MT team to win a true away game against a team with a 1-25 record, they have been very competitive against decent teams at neutral sites. Could they or should they lose by 15-20 against FAU? Sure & there is no doubt FAU is more than just a decent team, but for some reason I'm not betting against what the guys are capable of doing today. They won a game here last year, & played an amazing game against UAB. Now they picked up a game without theoretically their best player yesterday. The mental aspect is huge with this team. As long as we feel we're playing at an unimposing neutral site MT appears mentally fairly comfortable. If Eli is back today & in relatively decent health, I wouldn't be surprised we'll see a game go down to the wire again. We are one of the few teams that can stack up athletically with FAU, & taking their home court component away improves our opportunities via the mental factor. Guess we'll know how things turn out in a few hours. Good luck Raiders!

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SigmaNuBlue]

Up to +10.5 on MGM.

Not a surprise the public money is fading us. I took the +400 ML. Go big or go home. Let's do this.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

The Blue Raider contingent in Frisco looked pretty strong yesterday. We beat FAU once with our faithful in attendance. We can do it again.

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

Kyle Turnham on radio said he wouldn't be surprised if Eli didn't see some court time. Lawrence is "available" and McDevitt was quoted that Lawrence wants to go in early.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Leonard picks up early foul in less than 30 seconds

 

[SpaceRaider]

Leonard picks up another foul in first minute

 

[coachchia]

I seldom post on the MBB Site but ...
Today...
I have a Good Feeling...

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lawrence in for Leonard

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lawrence obviously not 100 percent

 

[SpaceRaider]

MT has 3 fouls, FAU none yet

 

[MTFAN61]

2nd foul really silly on Lenard's part. Slow start again

 

[JohnDavidBlue]

we def match up well with the owls

I seldom post on the MBB Site but ...
Today...
I have a Good Feeling...

 

[SpaceRaider]

media timeout

FAU 5
MT 2 and going to line

 

[SpaceRaider]

2nd foul really silly on Lenard's part. Slow start again

He should be really rested and ready to go in the second half

 

[SpaceRaider]

FAU 11-8

11:28

MT has 5 fouls to 2 for FAU

 

[SigmaNuBlue]

Love the aggressiveness from JCJ. Need him today. That foul call on him was weak...at best.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Lawrence is second on team in minutes played so far

 

[MidTennMtneer]

Fouls fouls and more fouls. Have to have time to set up our offense too. We are shooting 25%. Eeek.

 

[MTFAN61]

Shots just not dropping

 

[SpaceRaider]

MT timeout

FAU goes up by 9

19-10

7:28

 

[SpaceRaider]

MT has 1 turnover to FAU's five

 

[TrueBlue147]

Thats the ball game. We're shooting terribly (as usual) and fouling with bad defense.

 

[SpaceRaider]

Leonard back in

MT down 30-14

 

[SpaceRaider]

3:44

media timeout

30-16

MT finally in bonus now...

 

[SpaceRaider]

FAU shooting 43% from three, MT 0%

 

[MTFAN61]

Game probably decided after that 1st minute. Lenard may not be a huge scorer, but his athletic presence too important for such dumb reactions in a game of this magnitude.

 

[SpaceRaider]

37-25

at the half

 

[SpaceRaider]

4 players on each team with two fouls each

 

[MidTennMtneer]

MT vs FAU 1st half

3pt 0% vs 40%
FG 29% vs 57%

FAU also has 16 defensive rebounds. So we miss the shots and give them the ball back. But their 4 made 3pts is the difference right now.

Winnable but some adjustments need made.

 

[SpaceRaider]

15:22

MT has cut into lead but called for technical

39-35

 

[SpaceRaider]

Jordan on bench whistled for tech

 

[SpaceRaider]

Leonard whistled for third foul

 

[SpaceRaider]

47-37

13:12

media timeout