The two hottest teams in the American Athletic Conference collide when Wichita State meets Florida Atlantic on Thursday in Boca Raton.
Florida Atlantic (15-10, 8-4) has won five consecutive games, the longest current win streak in the AAC. The Owls are two games behind in the loss column to first-place Memphis and will visit the Tigers on Sunday.
Wichita State (15-10, 5-7) has won four in a row after Sunday’s 84-79 home overtime win over then No. 14 ranked Memphis. This snapped a 10-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
Quincy Ballard, a 6-foot-11 senior, had an extremely effective game for the Shockers. He scored 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting and added seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Corey Washington, a 6-foot-5 junior, had 18 points and 15 rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season.
Wichita State won despite shooting just 4 for 21 from three-point range (.190). A key to the win was limiting Memphis to just five fastbreak points while scoring 10 fastbreak points itself. Memphis was held to more than eight points under its fastbreak average.
FAU is coming off Sunday’s 83-81 comeback win at Temple. The winning Owls overcame a 10-point deficit with 11 minutes remaining. Five players scored in double figures, led by 6-foot-7 sophomore Kaleb Glenn, who had 17 points. A Louisville transfer, Glenn shot 7-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range.
The difference in the game was the frequency in which FAU got to the foul line. FAU shot 28 for 35 (.800) while Temple was 21 for 26 (.808).
Wichita State at Florida Atlantic Odds
FAU is a 7.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM with the Over/Under 153.5.
The moneyline for FAU is -300 while it is +240 for Wichita State.
Wichita State at Florida Atlantic on TV
The game between Wichita State and Florida Atlantic will be televised by ESPN2
Tipoff is expected shortly after 9 p.m. ET.
Wichita State at Florida Atlantic Prediction
I like FAU laying the points.
While Wichita State is playing its best basketball of the season, the same could be said for FAU.
During its current win streak, Wichita State has shown the ability to win close games. The Shockers have won the four games by an average margin of 5.5 points. Prior to their 2-point win over Temple, FAU has won its previous four games by an average of 17 points.
It’s very possible that Wichita State could have a letdown after such a monumental win.
According to teamrankings.com, Wichita State has covered in three of the four games during the current win streak. FAU has covered in three of the five games during its win streak but has failed to do so in the last two games. The Owls didn’t play great and still won at Temple and now should be out to reestablish itself. Plus from a standings standpoint, this game means more for FAU, which is still battling for first place.
Entering Wednesday, FAU was the highest-scoring AAC team, averaging 83.4 points. Wichita State averages 74.7 PPG. The Shockers allow 73.2 points per game, while FAU is at 76.2.
Here is an interesting stat: Wichita State is last in the AAC in three-point percentage (.301), which is 334th nationally. FAU is last in the AAC in three-point field goal defense, allowing teams to shoot .382, which is 352nd nationally.
FAU is fourth in the AAC in three-point shooting (.354) while Wichita State is eighth in three-point defense (.342).
Xavier Bell, a 6-foot-2 senior, averages a team-high 14.5 points for Wichita State, while Washington averages 13.7.
FAU has a balanced attack, with eight players averaging between seven and 13 points. Glenn averages a team-high 12.8 points. The other double-figure scorers are 6-foot-7 redshirt junior Tre Carroll (12.2) and 6-foot-11 junior Baba Miller (11.0). Miller also averages a team-high 7.0 rebounds.
