Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga, BYU falls, and Virginia rises in latest top-25 power ranking

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 6, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (11) drives for the basket around Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) during the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (11) drives for the basket around Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) during the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 26
Next
Bracketology
NCAA Basketball Florida Atlantic Owls Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Florida Atlantic Owls – 7-2

The Owls were riding high on a 5-game win streak, including sweeping both the ESPN Events Invitational and the Field of 68 Tip-Off in the past two weeks. Their latest opponent happened to be their toughest, taking on Illinois in the Jimmy V Classic.

Still, without Nick Boyd and others nursing injuries, FAU wasn’t at 100% but still had enough firepower to make it a game. It was a high-scoring affair for 40 minutes, but the Owls couldn’t get enough defensive stops, losing 97-89. Big man Vladislav Goldin had 23 pts in just 19 minutes played but was in foul trouble all night and eventually fouled out. Johnell Davis had 19 pts and 9 rebs, while Tre Carroll had 10 off the bench.

There’s nothing shameful about losing to Illinois and the Owls have shown they’re a top-20 caliber team. Once Boyd comes back, they’ll be 100% and have the depth to match up with anyone in the country.

The next opponent for FAU is Florida International, a local rival from the Conference USA days. This time it’s a non-con battle. After them is a tough neutral site game next weekend against St. Bonaventure, ahead of the clash with Arizona afterward.

Home/NCAA Basketball News