by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Mar 25, 2023
NCAA Tournament - Elite Eight, East Region
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to watch: TBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Kansas State -1.5
BetMGM: Kansas State -1.5
Caesars: Kansas State -1.5
Season record
Florida Atlantic: 34-3
Kansas State: 26-9
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FAU - Kansas State preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
FAU: won 62-55 vs. Tennessee
Kansas State: won 98-93 (OT) vs. Michigan State
The Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is upon us, and one of the matchups that has everyone talking is the showdown between Florida Atlantic and Kansas State. The Owls and the Wildcats will meet on the court in what promises to be an exciting clash between two skilled and competitive teams.
The Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is upon us, and one of the matchups that has everyone talking is the showdown between Florida Atlantic and Kansas State. The Owls and the Wildcats will meet on the court in what promises to be an exciting clash between two skilled and competitive teams.
What's been going on with FAU has been absolutely incredible. The Owls are the No. 9 seed in the East region and are in the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. Johnell Davis led the way with 15 points in the epic win over the Volunteers. It also helped to have an epic comeback by making shots the way they did.
Kansas State, on the other hand, comes into the Elite Eight as the No. 3 seed with wins over Montana State, Kentucky and Michigan State. But nothing was more inspired than the play of Markquis Nowell with his NCAA Tournament record 19 assists.
When these two teams meet on the court, it will be a clash of styles. Florida Atlantic will be looking to push the pace and score in transition, while Kansas State will be focused on slowing the game down and forcing the Owls to play in the half-court. The key to the game will likely be which team can impose its will on the other.
One area where Florida Atlantic may have an advantage is in three-point shooting. The Owls have been shooting the ball well from beyond the arc in the tournament, with Pierrot and guard Bryan Greenlee both shooting over 40% from three-point range. If they can continue to knock down shots from long distance, it could open up the floor for their offense and force Kansas State to adjust its defensive game plan.
Kansas State, meanwhile, will be looking to rely on its defense to shut down Florida Atlantic's high-powered offense. The Wildcats have been one of the best defensive teams in the country this season, and they will be looking to use their size and athleticism to disrupt the Owls' rhythm and force them into difficult shots.
Ultimately, this game could come down to which team is able to execute its game plan more effectively. If Florida Atlantic can get out in transition and knock down shots from long distance, they will be tough to beat. But if Kansas State is able to slow the game down and force the Owls to play in the half-court, they could grind out a win.
All in all, this Elite Eight matchup between Florida Atlantic and Kansas State promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. Fans of college basketball won't want to miss it.
Prediction
Florida Atlantic has been the Cinderella we’ve all hoped for. And now, the Owls will get that chance. Florida Atlantic 75, Kansas State 70
Projected starting lineup
Florida Atlantic:
PG: B.J. Greenlee
SG: Alijah Martin
SF: Nicholas Boyd
PF: Johnell Davis
C: Vladislav Goldin
Kansas State:
PG: Markquis Nowell
SG: Desi Sills
SF: Cam Carter
PF: Keyontae Johnson
C: Naeqwan Tomlin
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
