Preview: Wichita St at FAU
The Stage is Set: FAU Owls Take on Wichita State Shockers in Crucial Conference Clash
In a battle of contrasting styles, the Florida Atlantic University Owls (14-11) face off against the Wichita State University Shockers (18-7) in a pivotal conference matchup. The stakes are high, and both teams will look to gain an edge in the quest for tournament seeding.
The Owls, led by senior guard Devin Vanterpool's scorching hot shooting, have been on a roll lately, with their recent wins over UAB and E Kentucky propelling them back into contention in the Conference USA standings. However, they'll need to find a way to contain the Shockers' potent offense, which has consistently ranked among the top 20 nationally.
On the other side, Wichita State's high-powered attack, led by senior forward Kenyon Giles, looks to continue its dominance over conference opponents. The Shockers boast an impressive 12-2 record in Conference USA play and have been nearly unstoppable on the road, with their last loss coming against Charlotte back in January.
The X-Factor: Rebounding Battle
One key aspect that could make all the difference in this matchup is the rebounding battle between two of the top rebounding teams in the conference. The Owls, led by big man Kanaan Carlyle's 7.3 rebounds per game, have been exceptional on the glass, while the Shockers' Will Berg has been dominating on the boards with his 8.2 rebounds per contest.
Recent Form and Trends
Both teams are coming off recent upsets, which could make them both a bit unpredictable in this matchup. FAU's last win over UCF was a nail-biter, while Wichita State's victory over DePaul was a convincing one.
FAU: 2-3 (L vs Tulane, W vs UTSA, L vs UCF, L vs Saint Mary's, W vs UAlbany)
Wichita St: 3-2 (L vs Charlotte, W vs UAB, W vs E Kentucky, W vs Wofford, L vs DePaul)
Key Matchup Breakdown
* Devin Vanterpool (FAU) vs. Kenyon Giles (Wichita State): This is the matchup that could make or break the game for both players. Can FAU's Vanterpool contain the Shockers' Giles, who has been unstoppable at times this season?
* Kanaan Carlyle (FAU) vs. Will Berg (Wichita State): The battle on the glass will be crucial in determining which team comes out on top.
The Verdict:
This matchup has all the makings of a classic conference showdown, with both teams having legitimate claims to being among the best in Conference USA. One thing is certain – this game will be an instant classic, and the outcome will be far from predictable. Who will emerge victorious?