Kristian Ferrell
The Florida Atlantic Owls, representing Florida Atlantic University, have had a storied history in NCAA basketball. The team has played in several conferences over the years, including Division II, the Atlantic Sun Conference (now ASUN), the Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA (C-USA), and most recently, the American Athletic Conference. The Owls have experienced success and setbacks, with notable achievements including their first conference championship in 2002 and their first Final Four appearance in 2023. With a mix of winning and losing seasons, the Owls have showcased determination and resilience in their pursuit of basketball excellence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Florida Atlantic Owls |
| University | Florida Atlantic University |
| Current Conference | American Athletic Conference |
| Previous Conferences | Conference USA (C-USA) |
| Sun Belt Conference | |
| Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN 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 | 1988-1989 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Florida Atlantic Owls compete in the American Athletic Conference
- The team's conference history includes the Atlantic Sun Conference
- In 2013, the Owls joined Conference USA (C-USA)
- The Florida Atlantic University basketball team began in 1988
- The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times
The Florida Atlantic Owls compete in the American Athletic Conference
The Florida Atlantic Owls is the basketball team of Florida Atlantic University. The men's basketball team began play in the 1988–89 season. Initially, the Owls competed as an NCAA Division II independent until the 1993–94 season, when they moved up to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference.
The Owls spent 11 seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference, during which they clinched their first conference championship and bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2002. After the 2004–05 season, the Owls hired former NCAA Coach of the Year, Matt Doherty. The team then moved to the Sun Belt Conference in the 2006–07 season, along with the rest of Florida Atlantic University's intercollegiate sports teams.
In July 2013, the Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team moved to Conference USA (C-USA) as part of the early-2010s NCAA conference realignment. They qualified for their first Final Four in program history in 2023 by defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 79–76.
After the 2022–23 season, the Florida Atlantic Owls left C-USA and joined the American Athletic Conference. They compete in NCAA Division I college basketball and play their home games on the Abessinio Court in the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on the school's Boca Raton, Florida campus.
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The team's conference history includes the Atlantic Sun Conference
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team has a rich history in college basketball, with their conference history including the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Owls first began play in the 1988–89 season as an NCAA Division II independent team. However, their journey in the Atlantic Sun Conference started in the 1993–94 season when they moved up to Division I.
During their time in the Atlantic Sun Conference, the Owls experienced a mix of successes and challenges. In the 1994–95 season, the team showed improvement, finishing with a 9–19 record under coach Loomis. The following season, with new coach Kevin Billerman at the helm, the team repeated this win total but also showed progress by taking South Florida, Saint Louis, and Southern Illinois to close road losses. Billerman's second season stands out as he led the Owls to their most successful year in Division I up to that point.
The 2001–02 season was a memorable one for the Owls. Led by coach Sidney Green, the team achieved a winning season with a 19–12 record and a 13–7 conference record. In the 2002 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, the Owls showcased their prowess by defeating Jacksonville University and Jacksonville State University to advance to the championship game. They clinched their first-ever conference championship by defeating Georgia State University with a score of 76–75. This victory earned them a bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, marking their first appearance.
In the 2002 NCAA tournament, the Owls were seeded as a 15-seed in the South Region and faced the heavily favored 2-seed Alabama. They put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, with Alabama winning 86–78. Following their successful run in the Atlantic Sun Conference, the Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team continued to pursue excellence and later moved on from the Atlantic Sun Conference to compete in other conferences, including the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA (C-USA).
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In 2013, the Owls joined Conference USA (C-USA)
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team represents Florida Atlantic University (FAU). In 2013, the Owls joined Conference USA (C-USA) as part of the early-2010s NCAA conference realignment. This move came after spending 11 seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference, now known as the ASUN Conference.
The Owls' journey through the different conferences began when they started playing in the 1988-89 season. Initially, they competed as an NCAA Division II independent team. However, in the 1993-94 season, they moved up to Division I and joined the Atlantic Sun Conference. This conference affiliation lasted for over a decade, during which the team experienced mixed results, including a period of improvement under coach Kevin Billerman.
The Florida Atlantic sports programs, including basketball, continued to aspire for greater success and moved up in the level of competition. This led to their transition to the Sun Belt Conference in the 2006-07 season. The Owls' performance in this conference was notable, achieving back-to-back winning seasons and demonstrating their competitiveness.
However, in July 2013, the Owls made a significant shift by joining Conference USA (C-USA). This move was part of the early-2010s NCAA conference realignment, which saw various colleges realign their athletic programs to new conferences. The Owls' entry into C-USA marked a new chapter in their history, providing them with opportunities to compete against different opponents and showcase their skills on a restructured platform.
The Florida Atlantic Owls men's basketball team has continued to evolve and adapt to different conferences over the years, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to growth.
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The Florida Atlantic University basketball team began in 1988
The Florida Atlantic University basketball team, also known as the Florida Atlantic Owls, began in 1988. The team represents Florida Atlantic University and competes in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. Their home games are played on the Abessinio Court in the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on the university's Boca Raton, Florida campus.
The Owls played their first-ever intercollegiate basketball game on November 18, 1988, against fellow NCAA Division II school, Palm Beach Atlantic University. The Florida Atlantic Owls won the game with a score of 111-62. Despite this impressive start, the team finished their inaugural season with a record of 9-19, which included a 12-game losing streak.
Following their first season, the Owls competed as an NCAA Division II independent team for several years. During this time, they experienced some challenges, including a core group of players leaving after the fourth season, which resulted in difficult losing streaks in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. However, there were also notable achievements, such as scheduling games against powerhouse teams like the University of Miami Hurricanes.
In the 1993-94 season, the Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team moved up to Division I and joined the Atlantic Sun Conference, now known as the ASUN Conference. This marked the beginning of their journey towards competing at a higher level within college basketball. The Owls spent 11 seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference, during which they experienced both successes and setbacks.
Over the years, the Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team has continued to build their program, transitioning through different conferences and divisions. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament multiple times, including in 2002, 2023, and 2024, and have demonstrated their growth and improvement as a competitive intercollegiate basketball team.
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The Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times
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 Owls have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times: in 2002, 2023, and 2024.
In their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2002, the Owls were seeded as a 15-seed in the South Region and were paired with 2-seed Alabama. Despite putting up a fight, the Owls were ultimately defeated by the heavily favored Alabama team, who won the game 86-78.
FAU's second appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2023 was a historic one. The Owls made it to the Final Four in Houston, Texas, after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 79-76 in the Elite Eight at Madison Square Garden. This was the first time in the program's history that they had advanced to the Final Four. In the Final Four, the Owls faced the San Diego State Aztecs and lost a close game, 72-71, with San Diego State’s Lamont Butler hitting a buzzer-beater to advance to the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game.
The Owls' third appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2024 marked their second consecutive year in the competition. They entered as a No. 8 seed in the East Region and played No. 9 Northwestern, bringing with them the experience gained from their previous year's run.
The Owls' NCAA tournament appearances have brought increased media attention and recognition to both the basketball program and Florida Atlantic University as a whole. The team's success has also had a positive impact on the university's student body growth, with some students citing the Owls' athletic achievements as a factor in their decision to attend FAU.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team currently competes in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball.
No, the team has moved conferences several times. They were previously in the Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA (C-USA), and the Atlantic Sun Conference (formerly known as the ASUN Conference).
The Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team joined the American Athletic Conference in July 2023.
The Florida Atlantic Owls basketball team competes in Division I of the NCAA.
