Andrew Pace
The Northwestern Wildcats and the FAU (Florida Atlantic University) Owls have both proven themselves to be formidable basketball teams. In the 2024 March Madness bracket, the No. 9 seed Northwestern and the No. 8 seed FAU faced off in the first round, with FAU considered the betting favourite. Both teams have talented players and unique strengths, but they also have their weaknesses. So, when it comes to determining which team is better at basketball, it's a close call and depends on various factors, including their performance on the day.
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What You'll Learn
Florida Atlantic's offensive prowess
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team has had some impressive offensive showings in its history. The team first took to the court in 1988, winning their inaugural game 111-62 against Palm Beach Atlantic University. Although they would go on to lose 19 games that season, including a 12-game losing streak, they showed offensive prowess in hanging 111 points in their first game.
The Owls have had their fair share of high-scoring games and talented players over the years. In the 2022-23 season, the Owls advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history, achieving their greatest-ever foray into the tournament. They also captured impressive victories over top-12 opposition, including Arizona and Texas A&M.
In recent years, the Owls have been led by talented players such as Johnell Davis, who has proven to be highly efficient, knocking down nearly 43% of his three-pointers. Another standout player is Vladislav Goldin, who has become one of the AAC's toughest guards with his deft footwork and touch.
The Owls have a history of scheduling games against powerhouse teams, such as the University of Miami Hurricanes, demonstrating their ambition and willingness to take on challenging opponents. While they have suffered losses to higher-ranked teams, they have also achieved notable victories, such as becoming the first Atlantic Sun team to beat an ACC team when they defeated NC State in the 1993-94 season.
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Northwestern's three-point shooting
Northwestern has been described as the hottest three-point shooting team in college basketball. In the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats shot an impressive 43.6% from beyond the arc in their last 10 games, the second-highest in the country behind Stanford. This has been a key part of their offensive strategy, with 37.7% of their scoring coming from three-pointers, a rate that increased to 39.9% in 2015.
The team's ability to make three-pointers has been a significant factor in their success, with their dynamic trio of Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer, and Ryan Langborg accounting for more than half of Northwestern's average scoring in 2023-24. Their three-point shooting prowess has made them a dangerous team, as they can quickly turn a deficit into a lead, as seen in their game against UNC when they hit three consecutive three-pointers to come back from being down by 10 points early in the half.
However, there are concerns about the sustainability of their three-point shooting. Northwestern's success has made them a target, with opposing teams employing strategies to prevent their top shooters from getting into a rhythm. Additionally, the team has shown inconsistency, with stellar performances against Purdue (10-of-20 from three-point range) contrasted by poor showings against Mississippi State (6-of-26), Western Michigan (6-of-26), and DePaul (8-of-32).
The team's success from beyond the arc has also been dependent on the performance of individual players. While Tre Demps, their highest-volume three-point shooter, experienced a slump, the addition of sharpshooters like Aaron Falzon and Nate Taphorn improved their long-range efforts. Bryant McIntosh, another key player, has excelled at creating his own space and shooting off the dribble, contributing to the team's overall offensive improvement.
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FAU's star players
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls have had several star players on their roster over the years.
One of the most notable is Johnell Davis, who was among the country's best players during the tournament last season. Davis has proven to be even more efficient this season, knocking down nearly 43% of his threes while stepping into a full-time starting role. Another key player is Vladislav Goldin, who took a significant step forward in his junior season, becoming one of the AAC's most formidable guards. Goldin's deft footwork and touch make him a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Additionally, FAU has benefited from the talents of Alijah Martin, a sophomore who averaged 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game last season. Martin is on pace to become one of the top scorers in FAU basketball history, as evidenced by his outstanding performance in the Final Four with 26 points and seven rebounds.
FAU's success in the 2024-25 season will depend on its new-look roster, which includes transfer guards A.J. Staton-McCray and Leland Walker. Staton-McCray, a 6-foot-5 guard, is expected to be a foundational piece for the team with his defensive abilities and all-around game. Walker, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, has also impressed with his scoring prowess, recording 15.4 points per game and a program-record 16 assists in a single game.
While FAU has had its fair share of talented players, the team's performance in the 2024 March Madness tournament suggests that they struggled defensively, with both the Owls and their opponents, the Northwestern Wildcats, facing challenges in protecting their hoops.
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The Wildcats' defensive issues
The Northwestern Wildcats have had defensive issues throughout the season, which could be a problem in their game against FAU. The Wildcats have allowed the opposition to hit 35.5% of their three-point shots, which is a concern. They have also struggled with their quickness and three-point shooting since Ty Berry's injury. Barnhizer and Martinelli, in particular, will have to guard smaller and quicker players on the defensive side.
The Wildcats' biggest weakness is their undersized stature, which makes them a poor rebounding team. They averaged 28.9 rebounds per game, while their opponents, the Owls, averaged 35.1. The Wildcats' slow tempo also means that every possession is valuable, and they will have to be careful not to lose the ball. Boo Buie has been crucial in this regard, averaging only 2.3 turnovers per game.
The Wildcats have also faced a higher level of competition than the Owls over the past season, which may have impacted their defensive performance. They have played at one of the slowest tempos in the nation, which could be problematic if the Owls are able to speed up the game.
Despite these defensive issues, the Wildcats have proven themselves to be a good team overall, with one of the best offenses in the country. They are also excellent at taking care of the ball, averaging only 8.8 turnovers per game, and they are a good free-throw shooting team, with a 74.8% success rate.
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Historical performance
The Florida Atlantic Owls (FAU) and the Northwestern Wildcats have faced off against each other in the NCAA Tournament in 2024, with FAU seeded at 8 and Northwestern at 9. This was only the second time the two teams have met, with the first game taking place in 2005 and resulting in a win for Northwestern.
FAU has had a strong season, with a record of 25-8, and has made it to the Final Four the previous year. The team is led by Johnell Davis, one of the country's best players, who has proven his efficiency by knocking down nearly 43% of his threes. Other notable players include Vladislav Goldin, who has become one of the AAC's toughest guards, and Nick Boyd, who was responsible for the team's Cinderella story the previous year.
Northwestern, on the other hand, has had a more modest record of 21-11 and has only qualified for the Big Dance twice in its history. The team is led by Boo Buie, a fearless off-the-dribble shooter, and Brooks Barnhizer and Ryan Langborg, who are also key scorers.
In terms of strategy, Northwestern has one of the best three-point shooting records in the country, sitting at fifth with 39.4%. They also have an excellent free throw percentage of 74.8%. FAU, while not as strong in three-point shooting at 35.6%, has an advantage in speed and agility due to their many guards. They also have a higher average of points scored per game, with 83 points compared to Northwestern's 74.1.
Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and the game between them in 2024 was expected to be a close one, with FAU having a slight edge due to their momentum and talent.
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Frequently asked questions
Johnell Davis and Vladislav Goldin are the star players for FAU. Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer and Ryan Langborg are the dynamic trio of Northwestern.
FAU has the speed and agility advantage against Northwestern. FAU is also a good three-point shooting team at 35.6%. Northwestern is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, sitting at fifth via a 39.4% clip.
FAU struggles defensively, allowing 73.3 points per game. Northwestern's biggest weakness is that they are a little undersized, which makes them vulnerable.
The Northwestern Wildcats are 21-11. The FAU Owls are 25-8.
Northwestern won 69-59 in Evanston, Illinois, on November 21, 2005.
