Preview: Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Florida Atlantic

Game	Fairleigh Dickinson Knights vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Date:	March 19th, 2023 7:45 PM
TV:	truTV

Preview

Fairleigh Dickinson Offense vs. Florida Atlantic Defense

The Knights are ranked 133rd nationally in Bart Torvik’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings. Fairleigh Dickinson shoots 51.7 percent on twos and 34.3 percent on threes for a 51.6 effective field goal percentage.

Florida Atlantic’s defense is ranked 42nd nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Opponents shoot 44.8 percent on twos and 32.4 percent on threes for a 46.1 effective field goal percentage against the Owls.

Basics

Florida Atlantic’s defense has been shutting teams down over the last month and is ranked 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency over that span compared to 42nd for the season.
The Knights’ rotation only has an average height of 73.4 inches according to KenPom.com, making them one of the shortest teams in the field.
Fairleigh Dickinson plays as fast as any team in the country. The Knights average 70 possessions per game.
Fairleigh Dickinson makes 75 percent of its free throws which should come in handy in a close game.

Extra Possessions

Fairleigh Dickinson does a terrific job turning defense into offense. The Knights score 16.4 points points per game off of turnovers. Florida Atlantic avoids turnovers for touchdowns, allowing only 11.5 points per game off of giveaways.
Fairleigh Dickinson is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the country. The Knights grab 32 percent of their missed shots. Florida Atlantic matches up well with Fairleigh Dickinson’s offensive rebounding prowess. The Owls rebound 75.8 percent of their opponents’ misses this season.
Second chance points are crucial to Fairleigh Dickinson’s offense. The Knights score 12.2 points off of second chances and only allow 10.2 points per game, outscoring teams by 2.0 points per game just on second chance opportunities. Florida Atlantic has also been great on the glass this year, outscoring opponents by 3.1 points per game on second chances.

Shot Profile

Fairleigh Dickinson’s offense can be somewhat one-dimensional because there’s only one player (Singleton) on the roster who shoots 38% or better from 3-point range on 50+ attempts.
Fairleigh Dickinson is a tough scout because its bigs can stretch the floor. The Knights have one big with at least 75 3-point attempts including Ansley Almonor.
Florida Atlantic’s defense excels around the bucket, allowing 51 percent shooting within five-feet of the rim. Fairleigh Dickinson is generally a great finishing team, making 59 percent of its shots at the bucket — setting up a key battle inside.
Florida Atlantic’s defense does a terrific job of funneling offensive players into pull-up 2-point attempts. Owls opponents attempt 28 percent of their shots from the mid-range and connect at a 37 percent clip. Fairleigh Dickinson’s offense shoots 40 percent on its mid-range attempts.

Style

Fairleigh Dickinson loves to push the ball in transition. An impressive 16.3 percent of FDU’s offensive plays are in transition and those transition plays create 13.4 points per game. Florida Atlantic’s defense does a great job of limiting transition opportunities and only allows 8.3 points per game in transition.
Florida Atlantic’s defense excels at preventing assisted field goals and forcing one-on-one play with a style of “no help” defense popularized by Luke Yaklich. The Owls only allow their opponents to record assists on 33.3 percent of made baskets.
Fairleigh Dickinson’s offense incorporates more off-ball actions and screens than the average Division I team. The Knights score 10.6 points per game off of off-ball actions at 1.13 points per play. Florida Atlantic’s defense excels at defending off-ball sets, allowing just 0.91 points per play.

Florida Atlantic Offense vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Defense

The Owls are ranked 38th nationally in Bart Torvik’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings. Florida Atlantic shoots 54.7 percent on twos and 37.3 percent on threes for a 55.3 effective field goal percentage.

Fairleigh Dickinson’s defense is ranked 357th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Opponents shoot 55.8 percent on twos and 36.4 percent on threes for a 55.3 effective field goal percentage against the Knights.

Basics

Fairleigh Dickinson’s defense has been shutting teams down over the last month and is ranked 196th in adjusted defensive efficiency over that span compared to 357th for the season.
According to KenPom, Florida Atlantic is one of the “luckier” teams in the field, ranked 61st nationally in luck, meaning that they’ve won more games than their adjusted efficiency margin stats would indicate.
Florida Atlantic does a great job attacking full-court pressure defenses, scoring 0.99 points per play. Fairleigh Dickinson’s applies full court pressure on 40.1 percent of possessions which should allow the Owls to create an offensive advantage.
Fairleigh Dickinson can get into trouble given its tendency to commit fouls. The Knights send their opponents to the free-throw line 35 times per 100 shot attempts. That’s one of the worst rates in the country and Florida Atlantic gets to the stripe 30 times per 100 field goal attempts.

Extra Possessions

Florida Atlantic does a great job of maximizing its offensive possessions and valuing the basketball. The Owls only turn it over on 16.7 percent of their offensive possessions. That sets up a strength on strength battle against a Fairleigh Dickinson defense that forces giveaways on 21.9 percent of possessions.
Florida Atlantic does a terrific job turning defense into offense. The Owls score 15.6 points points per game off of turnovers.
Second chance points are crucial to Florida Atlantic’s offense. The Owls score 13.1 points off of second chances and only allow 10.0 points per game, outscoring teams by 3.1 points per game just on second chance opportunities. Fairleigh Dickinson has also been great on the glass this year, outscoring opponents by 2.0 points per game on second chances.
Florida Atlantic is unique because its guards are aggressive on the offensive glass. Perimeter players account for 27.5 percent of the Owls’ offensive boards. That should put extra pressure on Fairleigh Dickinson’s perimeter players to clean up the glass.

Shot Profile

Florida Atlantic’s offensive attack is perimeter-oriented. The Owls attempt 45 percent of their shots from 3-point range. The Owls also make a lot of those attempts, shooting 37 percent from outside the arc. Fairleigh Dickinson’s defense is vulnerable against the three, allowing its opponents to attempt 39 percent of their shots from outside the arc.
Florida Atlantic dominates the paint. The Owls score 33.7 points and allow 26.1 points per game in the paint, outscoring teams by 7.6 points per game. Fairleigh Dickinson has struggled inside this year and has been outscored by 2.6 points per game in the paint.
Florida Atlantic is difficult to guard because it has 3 players on the roster shooting at least 38 percent from 3-point range on over 50 perimeter attempts.
Florida Atlantic is one of the best teams in the country at finishing around the basket. The Owls shoot 59 percent at the rim and Fairleigh Dickinson allows 63 percent shooting inside of five feet.

Style

Florida Atlantic has an elite transition offense which should create a significant advantage against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Owls score 14.8 points per game in transition, while Fairleigh Dickinson’s transition defense has been poor this year, allowing 20.3 points per game.
Fairleigh Dickinson’s has the tendency to over-help on defense and its opponents record assists on 56 percent of made baskets.

Bottom Line

According to Bart Torvik, Florida Atlantic is a 87-68 favorite with a 94 percent chance of advancing.

FDU Personnel

#2 Demetre Roberts

Role: Primary Ball Handler
Height: 5'8" | Weight: 165 lbs

Distributor Go-To Guy Minutes Logger Above 80% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
16.5	3.1	4.2	110.0	24.8%	48.8%

#4 Grant Singleton

Role: Spot Up Wing
Height: 6'0" | Weight: 163 lbs

Pick Pocket Catch and Shoot Avoids Turnovers Efficient Shooter Above 80% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
14.2	3.5	3.3	123.9	19.5%	56.3%

#5 Ansley Almonor

Role: Stretch Big
Height: 6'7" | Weight: 219 lbs

Stretch Big Man Pick and Pop Roll Man Avoids Turnovers Cut and Finish Above 80% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
14.2	4.7	1.4	111.7	23.5%	53.7%

#11 Sean Moore

Role: Tall Spot Up Wing
Height: 6'6" | Weight: 175 lbs

Pick Pocket

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
6.6	4.4	1	107.8	16.6%	50.8%

🔥🔥🔥: Moore is averaging 12.3 points per game over the last 3 games. That’s 5.7 points above his season average.

#3 Heru Bligen

Role: Tall Spot Up Wing
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 183 lbs

Mid-Range Specialist Off the Dribble Shooter Non Shooter Offensive Rebounder Gets to the Line Avoids Turnovers Efficient Shooter Below 65% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
7.6	3.5	0.6	116.3	18.4%	55%

FAU Personnel

#1 Johnell Davis

Role: Secondary Ball Handler
Height: 6'4" | Weight: 203 lbs

Pick Pocket Catch and Shoot Go-To Guy Above 80% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
13.5	5.2	1.4	115.1	24.4%	56.4%

#15 Alijah Martin

Role: Spot Up Wing
Height: 6'2" | Weight: 210 lbs

Catch and Shoot Smart Shot Selection Go-To Guy Avoids Turnovers

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
13.3	5.3	1.5	115.4	24.5%	54.9%

🔥🔥🔥: Martin is averaging 18.7 points per game over the last 3 games. That’s 5.4 points above his season average.

#50 Vladislav Goldin

Role: Versatile Big
Height: 7'1" | Weight: 240 lbs

Finisher Roll Man Rim Protector Non Shooter Offensive Rebounder Defensive Rebounder Gets to the Line Efficient Shooter Below 65% FT

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
10.7	6.5	0.5	117.7	23.5%	64.2%

#11 Michael Forrest

Role: Unknown
Height: 6'1" | Weight: 174 lbs

Avoids Turnovers

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
8.9	2.4	1.8	108.0	20.7%	51.4%

❄️❄️❄️: Forrest is averaging 2.7 points per game over the last 3 games. That’s 6.3 points below his season average.

#2 Nicholas Boyd

Role: Secondary Ball Handler
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 175 lbs

Off the Dribble Shooter Catch and Shoot Avoids Turnovers Efficient Shooter

Pts	Reb	Ast	ORtg	Usage	eFG%
8.9	4.2	2.4	120.2	18.5%	58.1%

ATS

Florida Atlantic ATS Performance

This Season

Florida Atlantic is 20-12-1 against the spread this year. The over has hit in 18 of 33 Florida Atlantic games (54.5%) this season.

Florida Atlantic is 3-1-0 against the spread at neutral sites this year. The over has hit in 0 of Florida Atlantic’s 4 games on neutral floors (0%) this season.

Date	Opp	Result	Spread	Cover	By	Total	Over	By
11/11/2022	at Ole Miss	L, 67-80	6.5	L	-6.5	135.5	OVER	11.5
11/14/2022	at Florida	W, 76-74	13	W	15	145	OVER	5
11/17/2022	Bryant	W, 85-74	-8.5	W	2.5	157	OVER	2
11/19/2022	Detroit	W, 76-55	-12	W	9	151.5	UNDER	-20.5
11/26/2022	at Albany	W, 73-56	-11.5	W	5.5	139.5	UNDER	-10.5
11/30/2022	South Alabama	W, 84-59	-8	W	17	139	OVER	4
12/4/2022	at Eastern Michigan	W, 101-73	-11	W	17	148	OVER	26
12/7/2022	Florida Gulf Coast	W, 85-53	-8.5	W	23.5	142.5	UNDER	-4.5
12/17/2022	Florida International	W, 79-53	-20	W	6	149.5	UNDER	-17.5
12/21/2022	Northern Kentucky	W, 67-52	-15	P	0	129	UNDER	-10
12/29/2022	at North Texas	W, 50-46	1.5	W	5.5	127.5	UNDER	-31.5
1/5/2023	UAB	W, 88-86	-4	L	-2	149.5	OVER	24.5
1/7/2023	Charlotte	W, 71-67	-9	L	-5	130.5	OVER	7.5
1/11/2023	at Florida International	W, 77-73	-10.5	L	-6.5	147.5	OVER	2.5
1/14/2023	North Texas	W, 66-62	-4.5	L	-0.5	123.5	OVER	4.5
1/16/2023	at Western Kentucky	W, 76-62	-4.5	W	9.5	141.5	UNDER	-3.5
1/19/2023	at UTSA	W, 83-64	-15	W	4	144.5	OVER	2.5
1/21/2023	at UTEP	W, 67-59	-5.5	W	2.5	132.5	UNDER	-6.5
1/26/2023	Middle Tennessee	W, 85-67	-9	W	9	135.5	OVER	16.5
1/28/2023	Western Kentucky	W, 70-63	-12.5	L	-5.5	142.5	UNDER	-9.5
2/2/2023	at UAB	L, 77-86	0	L	-9	148.5	OVER	14.5
2/4/2023	at Charlotte	W, 67-52	-2.5	W	12.5	132	UNDER	-13
2/9/2023	Rice	W, 90-81	-14	L	-5	146.5	OVER	24.5
2/11/2023	Louisiana Tech	W, 90-85	-11	L	-6	139.5	OVER	35.5
2/16/2023	at Middle Tennessee	L, 70-74	-5	L	-9	143	OVER	1
2/23/2023	UTSA	W, 106-66	-18	W	22	147.5	OVER	24.5
2/25/2023	UTEP	W, 75-49	-12	W	14	138.5	UNDER	-14.5
3/2/2023	at Rice	W, 103-74	-9	W	20	154	OVER	23
3/4/2023	at Louisiana Tech	W, 76-72	-9.5	L	-5.5	143.5	OVER	4.5
3/9/2023	vs. Western Kentucky	W, 75-51	-10	W	14	142.5	UNDER	-16.5
3/10/2023	vs. Middle Tennessee	W, 68-65	-8	L	-5	139.5	UNDER	-6.5
3/11/2023	vs. UAB	W, 78-56	1	W	23	148.5	UNDER	-14.5
3/17/2023	vs. Memphis	W, 66-65	2.5	W	3.5	150.5	UNDER	-19.5

Head to Head

We don’t have any head-to-head games on file between these two teams.

Fairleigh Dickinson ATS Performance

This Season

Fairleigh Dickinson is 17-13-1 against the spread this year. The over has hit in 18 of 31 Fairleigh Dickinson games (58.1%) this season.

Fairleigh Dickinson is 3-1-0 against the spread at neutral sites this year. The over has hit in 2 of Fairleigh Dickinson’s 4 games on neutral floors (50%) this season.

Date	Opp	Result	Spread	Cover	By	Total	Over	By
11/7/2022	at Loyola (Chi)	L, 82-88	27	W	21	139.5	OVER	30.5
11/13/2022	Manhattan	W, 77-74	1.5	W	4.5	145	OVER	6
11/18/2022	vs. SIU-Edwardsville	L, 78-79	-5.5	L	-6.5	149	OVER	8
11/19/2022	at Longwood	L, 83-99	13	L	-3	146	OVER	36
11/20/2022	vs. VMI	W, 93-89	2.5	W	6.5	153.5	OVER	28.5
11/22/2022	at Pittsburgh	L, 61-83	15.5	L	-6.5	148.5	UNDER	-4.5
11/27/2022	at Saint Peter's	L, 63-77	9	L	-5	143	UNDER	-3
11/30/2022	at Hartford	L, 66-74	-5	L	-13	147.5	UNDER	-7.5
12/3/2022	at Saint Joseph's	W, 97-80	11.5	W	28.5	151.5	OVER	25.5
12/9/2022	at Columbia	W, 76-73	-1	W	2	152	UNDER	-3
12/11/2022	NJIT	W, 73-71	-4	L	-2	143	OVER	1
12/13/2022	at Richmond	L, 48-77	15.5	L	-13.5	143	UNDER	-18
12/29/2022	Merrimack	W, 71-63	-3.5	W	4.5	137.5	UNDER	-3.5
1/5/2023	at St. Francis (BKN)	W, 76-57	1	W	20	143.5	UNDER	-10.5
1/7/2023	Brooklyn	W, 101-89	-11.5	W	0.5	153.5	OVER	36.5
1/14/2023	at Central Connecticut	W, 88-80	2	W	10	144	OVER	24
1/20/2023	Sacred Heart	L, 85-92	-5.5	L	-12.5	154	OVER	23
1/26/2023	St. Francis (PA)	W, 87-82	-4	W	1	154.5	OVER	14.5
1/28/2023	at Merrimack	W, 78-71	1.5	W	8.5	133.5	OVER	15.5
2/4/2023	Wagner	L, 79-83	-2.5	L	-6.5	144	OVER	18
2/9/2023	at Brooklyn	W, 80-79	-9	L	-8	156	OVER	3
2/11/2023	Central Connecticut	L, 73-77	-5.5	L	-9.5	148	OVER	2
2/16/2023	at Sacred Heart	L, 86-94	2.5	L	-5.5	156	OVER	24
2/18/2023	at Wagner	W, 66-48	3	W	21	140.5	UNDER	-26.5
2/23/2023	at St. Francis (PA)	L, 72-82	-1	L	-11	156.5	UNDER	-2.5
2/25/2023	St. Francis (BKN)	W, 86-69	-8	W	9	143.5	OVER	11.5
3/1/2023	St. Francis (BKN)	W, 83-75	-8	P	0	143.5	OVER	14.5
3/4/2023	St. Francis (PA)	W, 70-50	-4.5	W	15.5	158	UNDER	-38
3/7/2023	at Merrimack	L, 66-67	4	W	3	138	UNDER	-5
3/15/2023	vs. Texas Southern	W, 84-61	2	W	25	146.5	UNDER	-1.5
3/17/2023	vs. Purdue	W, 63-58	23	W	28	145	UNDER	-24

Head to Head

We don’t have any head-to-head games on file between these two teams.

Note: Our ATS data dates back to the 2017-18 season.

News

News Updates

News updates via RotoWire.

Sean Moore (03/18): Moore posted 19 points (7-17 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two blocks and one steal over 28 minutes during Friday's 63-58 win over Purdue.
Vladislav Goldin (02/10): Goldin logged 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-7 FT) and nine rebounds across 25 minutes during Florida Atlantic's 90-81 win Thursday versus Rice.
Bryan Greenlee (02/04): Greenlee is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Charlotte.
Alijah Martin (02/04): Martin is in the starting five for Saturday's game versus UNC-Charlotte.
Nicholas Boyd (02/04): Boyd logged 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-10 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Florida Atlantic's 86-77 loss Thursday at UAB.
Alijah Martin (01/18): Martin logged 15 points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-9 FT), five rebounds and two steals across 30 minutes during Florida Atlantic's 76-62 win Monday at Western Kentucky.
Alijah Martin (12/07): Martin (undisclosed) notched 21 points (8-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 85-53 win over FGCU.
Alijah Martin (12/07): Martin (undisclosed) is a game-time decision Wednesday versus Florida Gulf Coast, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Alijah Martin (12/04): Martin (undisclosed) did not play during the Owls' 101-73 win Sunday at Eastern Michigan.
Alijah Martin (12/04): Martin (undisclosed) is a game-time decision Sunday at Eastern Michigan, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Alijah Martin (12/01): Martin did not play during Florida Atlantic's 84-59 win Wednesday versus South Alabama.
Johnell Davis (11/30): Davis (undisclosed) registered one assist and one steal in four minutes during Wednesday's 84-59 win over South Alabama.
Johnell Davis (11/28): Davis (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's 73-56 win over Albany.
Johnell Davis (11/20): Davis (undisclosed) did not take the court in Saturday's 76-55 victory over Detroit.
Michael Forrest (11/14): Forrest (undisclosed) is available Monday against Florida, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.
Michael Forrest (11/11): Forrest (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Friday's game versus Ole Miss, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.
Michael Forrest (11/08): Forrest (undisclosed) didn't play in Monday's season opener versus Lynn and is day-to-day for the upcoming week and Friday's game versus Ole MIss, Zachary Weinberger of The Palm Beach Post reports reports.
Bryan Greenlee (11/13): Greenlee (undisclosed) had four points (2-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes during Saturday's 78-56 win over Warner University.
Bryan Greenlee (11/11): Greenlee did not take the court in Wednesday's season-opening loss to New Mexico.
Jalen Gaffney (03/21): Gaffney finished with 12 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and three steals during the 63-54 loss to Maryland on Saturday.
Jalen Gaffney (02/16): Gaffney isn't among the starters for Tuesday's game against Providence, Neill Ostrout of the Manchester Journal Inquirer reports.
Jalen Gaffney (02/10): Gaffney will start Wednesday's game against Providence, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports
Jalen Gaffney (02/06): Gaffney posted 20 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 8-9 FT), one rebound, two assists and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench during the 80-73 loss to Seton Hall on Saturday.
Jalen Gaffney (01/27): Gaffney recorded six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 3PT), three assists and one steal in 27 minutes during the 63-51 win over Butler on Tuesday.
Jalen Gaffney (12/03): Gaffney isn't starting Thursday's game against USC, Neill Ostrout of the Manchester Journal Inquirer reports.