NEW YORK – There is no ceiling for the FAU men’s basketball program.
In what has been a historic season by numerous measures, the shining moments keep occurring right before our eyes. Last night’s (March 23) Sweet 16 game against Tennessee resulted in a thrilling 62-55 comeback win at the world-famous Madison Square Garden.
As a result, FAU has the nation’s best overall record of 34-3 – at least for one day.
Our very own Kevin Fielder was at the amazing showdown. He provided his analysis on what went down.
So for the rest of this article, we will refer to his article from Owls247.com. He has given New Era Prep permission to do so.
Here it goes:
With just over nine minutes remaining in the second half of Florida Atlantic’s Sweet Sixteen matchup against Tennessee, guard Mike Forrest pulled up for a three-pointer in front of his team’s bench.
By a picture, the shot has no meaning. It was right behind the three-point line, and Forrest was more than open. With added context, though, it might be the biggest shot in his five-year career for the Owls.
The three-pointer gave FAU their first lead of the night and sent the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy. For the final nine minutes of the night, a piercing sound came from the contingent of Owls fans that converged upon basketball’s mecca.
It was an FAU home game, and the SEC outfit had no answers.
After scoring no points in their first two tournament games, Forrest found a spark and finished with 11 points on four-of-seven shooting, including three made attempts from beyond the arc.
“My teammates set me up perfectly so I could make the open shots,” Forrest said. “I’ve been having a rough time lately, but my teammates kept the positivity with me, so I owe it all to them.”
Forrest’s performance in FAU’s 62-55 win over Tennessee proves something that’s been the case all season: FAU will always have a player who will step up and help the Owls win.
Against Memphis, Nick Boyd’s layup with seconds remaining helped FAU start this improbable journey. Just a few days later, Johnell Davis followed up with a historic 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
Now, Forrest is making the clutch shots down the stretch.
“That just goes to show the group of guys that we have and all the work everybody puts in, all the hard work and hours everybody puts into it,” Forrest said. “It could be anybody’s night, so everybody just stays together all the time.”
Those moments of spontaneity have helped the Owls win 34 games this season and reach a point that they’ve never been to before… the Elite 8.
On Saturday, FAU will play No. 3 seed Kansas State in the Elite 8. A win against the Wildcats would make FAU the first No. 9 seed to make the tournament since Witchita State did so in 2013.
This run will allow some to throw around the “Cinderella” tag but don’t worry about making that glass slipper fits because FAU doesn’t believe they’re a Cinderella.
“Everyone has a right to their opinion, and they think we’re a Cinderella, but I don’t think Cinderellas were ranked Top 25 for most of the year,” center Giancarlo Rosado said. “I don’t think that’s a Cinderella team. I think that’s a team that’s supposed to be here.”
PHOTO CREDITS: FAU Men’s Basketball
TWITTER ENTRY CREDITS: FAU Men’s Basketball
