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The second day of March Madness 2024 tipped off with Florida Atlantic vs. Northwestern from Brooklyn.
No. 8 seed FAU and No. 9 seed Northwestern had similar NCAA Tournament histories. Both made their third appearance ever and played in back-to-back tournaments for the first time. However, while the Wildcats exited in the second round last season, the Owls made a surprise run all the way to the Final Four.
Coach Dusty May returned much of last year’s team, including all five starters. Guards Johnell Davis of FAU and Boo Buie of Northwestern were both teams’ leaders in scoring and leaders on the court. The winner of FAU-Northwestern faces the winner of No. 1 seed UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Sunday afternoon.
MORE:Watch FAU basketball vs. Northwestern in March Madness on Fubo (free trial)
FAU-Northwestern live score updates in NCAA first round
Northwestern shoots lights-out on the way to overtime win
The Wildcats went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor and 2-of-2 from deep in overtime, putting the Owls to comeback to rest 77-65 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Ryan Langborg hung 27 points on FAU, including 12 in overtime, on 11-of-19 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Bo Buie added 22 points with four assists and three turnovers.
On the other side, the Owls went 1-for-7 from the floor while coming up empty from behind the arc, 0-of-5 while committing three turnovers.
FAU finished the loss with a season-high 21 turnovers. Vlad Goldin led the Owls with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Johnell Davis had 18 points with six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and nine turnovers.
After FAU missed a free-throw with 20 seconds left, Brooks Barnhizer got Goldin to bite on a pump-fake and scored on a game-tying driving layup with nine seconds to play.
With the clock winding down, Johnell Davis appeared to be expecting a timeout from Dusty May, which never came. He forced a deep contested three-pointer that missed everything.
The extra period begins at with both teams at 58-58.
Owls take late lead
The Owls lead 58-56 with 27 seconds remaining after Vlad Goldin knocked down four-straight free throws.
FAU within striking distance after Northwestern flagrant foul
The Owls cut the Wildcat lead to 56-56 after a fouls from Northwestern’s Martinelli was upgraded to a flagrant one.
FAU battling back
After reaching a season-high in turnovers (18) with six minutes to play, FAU is still in the fight down the stretch.
After struggling from behind the arc all afternoon, Brandon Weatherspoon knocked down a triple that cut the lead to 54-50 with five minutes to play. Northwestern took a timeout to stop the bleeding after the Owls went 3-of-3 from the floor in a two-minute stretch.
Turnover issues continue into second half
Dusty May, who is known for consistently making the right halftime adjustments, is forced to watch as his Owls continue to turn the ball over after a stagnant first half.
In the first four minutes of the second half, FAU has committed four turnovers while attempting just three shots. Northwestern has taken advantage, and holds a 30-27 advantage with 15:38 left to play. The Owls sit at 16 turnovers on the game.
Turnovers plaguing FAU in worst first half scoring effort of season
The Owls were held to 20 points in the first half, and finished the opening half with more turnovers (12) than made field goals (7)
But Northwestern is struggling in their own right, and their 19 points are the lowest in a half for the Wildcats as well. They finish the half 7-of-33 from from the floor an 2-of-12 from behind the arc.
FAU is just 7-of-21 from the field and 1-of-9 from deep. Johnell Davis’ baseline jumper at the buzzer put the Owls ahead 20-19 headed into the locker room. Davis leads FAU with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting with three rebounds, three turnovers, and two steals.
Owls’ jitters continue
Florida Atlantic is struggling to find rhythm in the first half. They’ve managed just three made field goals through 13 minutes while committing six turnovers.
Northwestern is sending swarming doubles to the block, and it’s give the Owls issues. Luckily for FAU, the Wildcats aren’t haven’t gotten going yet either.
Northwestern is 5-of-18 from the floor and 1-of-8 from deep with four turnovers of their own. The used a brief 6-0 run to jump out to a 12-11 lead with just over seven minutes to play.
Slow start for both squads
Northwestern started the game going nearly five minutes without a field goal until Boo Buie’s triple, and sits at 1-for-5 from the field.
The Owls are on the same pace, committing three turnovers in the first five minutes while also going 1-for-5 from the floor and 0-for-3 from three-point land.
The game is tied at 4-4 at the first media timeout.
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FAU will tip off vs. Northwestern on CBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers. The announcers are Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson.
IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize.
FAU vs. Northwestern start time, TV info, location
- Start time: 12:15 p.m. ET
- TV info: CBS (check local listings)
- Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
FAU vs. Northwestern preview
FAU: The Owls (25-8) boast one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation, led by junior guard Johnell Davis, the American Athletic Conference’s co-player of the year, and with 7-foot-1 center Vladislav Goldin cleaning up the glass.
Northwestern: The Wildcats (21-11) funnel their offense through Big Ten first-team point guard Boo Buie, while also featuring defensive standout guard Brooks Barnhizer. They are coached by Chris Collins.
FAU-Northwestern odds, betting line, spread
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, March 21.
- Spread: FAU (-3.5)
- Over/under: 142.5 points
- Moneyline: Northwestern +135, FAU -165
FAU 74, Northwestern 66: The Owls have proven all year that they can regroup well after a tough loss. Combine that with their postseason pedigree, and the Wildcats have a tall task ahead of them in the first round.
FAU vs. Northwestern injury updates
FAU: Forward Tre Carroll injured his arm and is out indefinitely.
Northwestern: Center Matthew Nicholson injured his leg and is out indefinitely. Guard Ty Berry injured his knee in February and is out for the season. Guard Parker Strauss has had an undisclosed injury since January and is out indefinitely.
FAU vs. Northwestern stats
FAU
- PPG: 82.5
- PPG allowed: 73.3
- FG% 48.1%
- 3PT%: 35.6%
- KenPom ranking: 38
NORTHWESTERN
- PPG: 73.7
- PPG allowed: 69.0
- FG% 45.9%
- 3PT%: 39.4%
- KenPom ranking: 43
FAU vs. Northwesternchampionship odds
FAU: +10,000
Northwestern: N/A
FAU basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of FAU’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.
| March 2 | FAU 79, Tulane 73 |
| March 6 | FAU 80, North Texas 76 |
| March 9 | FAU 92, Memphis 84 |
| March 15 | FAU 75, North Texas 71 (AAC Tournament quarterfinal) |
| March 16 | Temple 74, FAU 73 (AAC Tournament semifinal) |
| March 22 | FAU vs. Northwestern (NCAA Tournament first round) |
Northwestern basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Northwestern’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, clickhere.
| February 28 | Northwestern 68, Maryland 61 |
| March 2 | Iowa 87, Northwestern 80 |
| March 6 | Michigan State 53, Northwestern 49 |
| March 9 | Northwestern 90, Minnesota 66 |
| March 15 | Wisconsin 70, Northwestern 61 (Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal) |
| March 22 | FAU vs. Northwestern (NCAA Tournament first round) |
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