FAU Basketball: 3 keys vs Kansas State to make Final Four appearance

FAU Basketball: 3 keys to beat Kansas State to make Final Four appearance

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 23: Bryan Greenlee #4 and Alijah Martin #15 of the Florida Atlantic Owls celebrate after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16 round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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Brandon Weatherspoon FAU Basketball (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Crash the offensive glass

Florida Atlantic is a smaller team. Four of their five starters and seven of their nine rotation players are guards under 6-foot-4. Dusty May runs a 4-out 1-in motion offense that is predicated on 3-point shooting and spacing for dribble penetration.

Despite playing four guards who are frequently spread around the perimeter, the Owls are an excellent offensive-rebounding team. In fact, they are 25-0 when they have a higher offensive rebounding percentage than their opponent, per EvanMiya.

This is a favorable matchup for FAU to flex its offensive rebounding prowess, as Kansas State ranked dead last in the Big 12 in defensive rebounding percentage this season, per KenPom.

Often the only big man on the court for FAU, 7-foot-1 Vladislav Golden knows his role, ranking third in C-USA in OR%. He’s not alone on the offensive boards though, as 6-foot-2 Alijah Martin averages nearly two offensive rebounds a game, and 6-foot-4 Johnell Davis has grabbed 12 offensive boards over the last four games.