Wednesday, March 5th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: The FAU Arena (5,000) -- Boca Raton, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: FIU 8-9, FAU 10-4. Away Record: FIU 1-10, FAU 3-11. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, FAU 1-2. Conference Record: FIU 6-12, FAU 8-10. Series Record: Florida International leads, 13-8.

GAME NOTES: Instate rivals collide in the First Round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, as the 10th-seeded Florida International Golden Panthers will take on the seventh-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls at the FAU Arena. The Golden Panthers had trouble throughout the season and finished with just nine victories. The team dropped its last three contests, falling to a mere 6-12 in league action. As for the Owls, they were slightly more successful on the season, as the team collected 14 wins and posted an 8-10 mark in Sun Belt play. Unfortunately the team stumbled a bit, heading into the postseason with losses in three of its last five games. With respects to the all-time series between the two schools, the Golden Panthers have a 13-8 edge over FAU, and won both meetings this season.

The Golden Panthers' season went in the wrong direction mainly because the team was unable to produce offensively. FIU comes into the postseason with just 64.0 ppg, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field. Alex Galindo is leading the team in scoring with 13.3 ppg, and is also pulling down a team-high 6.8 rpg. Teaming up with Galindo down low is Russell Hicks, who is contributing 12.3 ppg to go along with 6.1 rpg and 56 blocks. The Golden Panthers have hurt themselves time and time again throughout the season, committing a whopping 18.5 turnovers per contest. In the season-finale against South Alabama, the Golden Panthers scored just 55 points, receiving a team-high 15 points from Galindo. Tremayne Russell added 11 points, while Chris Fuller chipped in 10 points.

The biggest issue for FAU this season was the team's inability to play sound defense. Opponents are averaging a strong 74.7 ppg against the Owls, and shooting a solid 45.6 percent from the floor. FAU also hurt itself with too many mistakes, as the squad committed 16.1 turnovers per contest. The weak play defensively overshadowed the success of the Owls offensively, as the team is averaging 71.5 ppg on the year. The most important piece to FAU this season has been forward Carlos Monroe, who is leading the team with 15.6 ppg and 9.3 rpg. Paul Graham III adds more strength on the inside for FAU and is contributing 14.0 ppg on the year. Carderro Nwoji has run the show on the court, netting 10.5 ppg to go along with a team-high 113 assists.

The Owls lost twice this season to FIU, but do not be surprised if FAU turns the tables this evening. The Owls have a solid frontcourt tandem and should be able to outscore a struggling FIU team.

Predicted Outcome

Florida Atlantic 73, Florida International 65