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The Florida Atlantic Owls, the men's basketball team representing Florida Atlantic University, have had a dynamic history of conference participation. From their early years in the NCAA Division II to their transition into Division I, the Owls have competed in various conferences, including the Atlantic Sun Conference (now known as the ASUN Conference) and Conference USA (C-USA). Their conference affiliations have shifted over time, reflecting the team's growth and changing levels of competition. The Owls have also experienced notable achievements, such as their first conference championship and appearances in the NCAA tournament, showcasing their development as a competitive basketball program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team | Florida Atlantic Owls |
| University | Florida Atlantic University |
| Current Conference | American Athletic Conference |
| Previous Conferences | Conference USA (C-USA) |
| Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) | |
| Sun Belt Conference | |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Home Games Location | Abessinio Court in the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, Boca Raton, Florida |
| First Intercollegiate Basketball Contest | November 18, 1988, against Palm Beach Atlantic University |
| First Season Record | 9-19 |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Atlantic Owls' conference history
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team has a long and varied history when it comes to conference affiliation. Representing Florida Atlantic University, the Owls have competed in various conferences over the years, adapting to the changing landscape of college basketball.
The Owls' journey began in the late 1980s when they started as an NCAA Division II independent team. Their first-ever intercollegiate basketball contest was played on November 18, 1988, against Palm Beach Atlantic University, another local NCAA Division II school, which they won with a score of 111-62. However, their inaugural season finished with a 9-19 record, including a 12-game losing streak.
The Owls remained in the NCAA Division II until the 1993-94 season, when they made the transition to Division I and joined the Atlantic Sun Conference (later known as the ASUN Conference). This move was influenced by the success of the Owls baseball team. Their time in the Atlantic Sun Conference was marked by both challenges and achievements. During the 1993-94 season, the Owls created history as the first team from the Atlantic Sun Conference to defeat an ACC team, showcasing their potential. However, they also endured tough seasons, with records of 3-24 and 3-25 during this period.
In 2002, the Owls made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, seeded as a 15-seed in the South Region, facing off against the heavily favored 2-seed Alabama. While they put up a valiant effort, they ultimately fell short, losing 86-78. The Owls continued to grow and develop as a program, and their hard work paid off when they clinched their first conference championship in the Atlantic Sun Conference in the 2002-03 season. This victory earned them a bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
Seeking new challenges, the Owls moved to the Sun Belt Conference, joining the rest of Florida Atlantic University's intercollegiate sports teams. This change provided a fresh competitive landscape for the team. In July 2013, the Florida Atlantic Owls underwent another significant transition, moving to Conference USA (C-USA) as part of the early-2010s NCAA conference realignment. This move signaled their ambition to compete at an even higher level.
After spending a decade in C-USA, the Owls made their most recent conference shift in July 2023, joining the American Athletic Conference, often referred to as "The American." This move placed the Owls in a highly competitive environment, alongside some of the nation's top college basketball programs. The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team continues to write its conference history, striving for success and leaving its mark on the sport.
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The team's NCAA Division I appearances
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team represents Florida Atlantic University in the sport. The team plays NCAA Division I college basketball and has appeared in the NCAA tournament three times: in 2002, 2023, and 2024.
The Owls played their first intercollegiate basketball game on November 18, 1988, against Palm Beach Atlantic University, another local NCAA Division II school, winning 111-62. The team competed as an NCAA Division II independent until the 1993–94 season, when they moved up to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference, now known as the ASUN Conference.
In the 2001–02 season, coach Sidney Green led the Owls to their first winning season, finishing 19–12 and 13–7 in the Atlantic Sun. In the 2002 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, the Owls defeated Jacksonville University in the first round and Jacksonville State University in the second, breaking their tradition of losing in the second round. They then faced Georgia State University in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship, winning 76–75 and clinching their first conference championship and a bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. In the 2002 NCAA tournament, the Owls were seeded as a 15-seed in the South Region and were paired with 2-seed Alabama, ultimately losing 86–78.
After 11 seasons in the Atlantic Sun, the Owls moved to the Sun Belt Conference, along with the rest of Florida Atlantic University's intercollegiate sports teams. The Owls then moved to Conference USA (C-USA) in July 2013 as part of the early-2010s NCAA conference realignment. In March 2023, the Owls made their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 79-76 in the Elite Eight to make it to the Final Four for the first time in program history. They narrowly lost to the San Diego State Aztecs in the Final Four, 72-71. The 2022-23 FAU Owls finished the season with 35 wins, the most of any team in Men’s Division I College Basketball that season. The team made a second consecutive appearance in March Madness in 2024, finishing the season with 25 wins. After the 2022–23 season, the Owls left C-USA for the American Athletic Conference.
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The 2002 NCAA tournament
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team represents Florida Atlantic University in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times, one of which was in 2002.
The 2002 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was the 64th annual edition of the tournament. It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. A total of 65 schools and 64 games were involved in this single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball.
This was the first year that the tournament used the "pod" system, where the eight first- and second-round sites were distributed across the four regionals. Teams were assigned to first-round spots to minimize travel as much as possible. The top seeds at each site were: St. Louis: Kansas (M1), Kentucky (E4).
The Final Four consisted of Maryland, making their second consecutive appearance; Kansas, making their first appearance since 1993; Indiana, making their first appearance since 1992; and Oklahoma, making their first appearance since their national runner-up finish in 1988.
Maryland won its first national championship, beating Siena, Wisconsin, Kentucky, UConn, Kansas, and Indiana. Senior Juan Dixon was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player (MOP) and was drafted 17th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2002 NBA Draft.
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The 2023-24 season
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team will compete in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball during the 2023-24 season. The team, which represents Florida Atlantic University, made the move to the American Athletic Conference in July 2023 after previously competing in Conference USA (C-USA) since 2013.
The Owls have a rich history in college basketball, with their first intercollegiate basketball contest taking place on November 18, 1988, against fellow local NCAA Division II school, Palm Beach Atlantic University. The team has experienced both successes and challenges over the years, with notable achievements including clinching their first Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and qualifying for their first Final Four in the 2022-23 season.
The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times: in 2002, 2023, and 2024. They will be aiming to secure a spot in the 2024 NCAA tournament and make a deep run in the competition. The team's performance in the 2023-24 season will be crucial in achieving this goal, and they will need to consistently perform at a high level to secure their place in the tournament.
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team will be a team to watch in the 2023-24 season as they continue to write their story in college basketball. With a talented roster and a dedicated fanbase, the Owls will look to soar to new heights and bring pride to Florida Atlantic University.
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The future of Florida Atlantic University basketball
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team represents Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. The team has come a long way since its first intercollegiate basketball game in 1988, when it defeated Palm Beach Atlantic University 111-62.
The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times: in 2002, 2023, and 2024. In 2023, they qualified for their first Final Four in program history by defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 79-76. This was a significant achievement, as they had not won a single NCAA Tournament game prior to 2023.
The Owls joined Conference USA (C-USA) in 2013 as part of the NCAA conference realignment but moved to the American Athletic Conference in 2023. They previously competed in the Atlantic Sun Conference (now known as the ASUN Conference) after moving up to Division I in the 1993-94 season.
Looking forward, the Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team aims to build on its recent successes, such as breaking their second-round losing tradition and qualifying for the Final Four in 2023. With 19 NCAA Division I athletic teams, Florida Atlantic University strives to advance its student-athletes in their respective sports and academic pursuits.
The team's future success will depend on various factors, including coaching strategies, player development, recruitment, and the continued support of the university and its fans. The Owls have shown steady improvement over the years, and with a strong foundation in place, they can continue to grow and compete at the highest levels of college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Florida Atlantic University is in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball.
Florida Atlantic University joined the American Athletic Conference in July 2023.
Before joining the American Athletic Conference, Florida Atlantic University was in Conference USA (C-USA).
Florida Atlantic University joined Conference USA in July 2013.
Before Conference USA, Florida Atlantic University was in the Sun Belt Conference and the Atlantic Sun Conference.
