NCAA Basketball: Kansas and Baylor rise, Tennessee falls in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
24. Florida Atlantic (24-2)
Unranked last week after their second loss of the season, it’s fair to again consider the case of Florida Atlantic. The Owls were picked to finish 5th in Conference USA this season; instead, Dusty May’s squad has defied the odds and been one of the year’s most impressive mid-majors. Florida Atlantic is in great position to win the CUSA and make some noise in the postseason.
Another good week saw the Owls get a Thursday win over Rice, in a 90-81 offensive slugfest. Vladislav Goldin led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds while Alijah Martin and Johnell Davis had 16 points apiece. Saturday was more about survival, as the Owls got past Louisiana Tech in a 90-85 overtime win at home. Martin’s 26 points lead the charge and the Owls survived despite the Bulldogs shooting nearly 52% from the field.
Though that recent loss to UAB still stings, Florida Atlantic is actually in great shape in many of the metrics and could reasonably be an at-large team if they don’t win their conference tournament. For now, this is clearly a dynamic mid-major program with a slew of solid wins since conference play began. Next week will see them try to get another at Middle Tennessee. Could May’s team pull off something truly special when the calendar hits March?