Jan. 22, 2008

Coach Walters Interview: Weekly Preview

BOCA RATON, FL - Having won two of their last three games, the Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team will try to maintain their momentum in Sun Belt play as they face Denver and UALR.

FAU (6-13, 2-6 Sun Belt) defeated North Texas 86-81 on Saturday for their second straight home win. Carlos Monroe posted his eighth double-double of the season and Brett Royster tied his career high with 10 points in the victory. Monroe is now just three points away from becoming the sixth 1,000-point scorer in FAU history. Head Coach Rex Walters is glad that his team's effort is being rewarded.

"We had a lot of guys play well and at the end of the season, we want to be able to look back and say that (the North Texas game) was a jumping off point of the season.

The Owls face Denver on Thursday in a game that will be held at Lynn University due to FAU hosting the Presidential Debates. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 and will be preceded by the women's game at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the game will be just five dollars due to the relocation. Denver (8-9, 4-2) features a stifling defense that leads the Sun Belt by surrendering only 59 points a game. Offensively, the Pioneers have a trio of players that average double figures in conference play. Senior forward David Kummer leads the charge at 13 points a game in Sun Belt games. Center Adam Tanner (11.0 points) and freshman guard Kyle Lewis (10.2 points) also help carry the point-scoring load. The Pioneers won last year's only meeting between the two teams 90-85 in the mile high city. Neither Kummer nor Tanner scored a point in last season's game.

"With their Princeton offense, they really try to take advantage of pressure defense, which is something we like to play a lot."

FAU travels to Little Rock, AR to take on UALR Sunday at 5:30 p.m. The Trojans (12-6, 4-3) are second only to the Pioneers in points allowed in the conference, giving up just 60.2 points a contest. UALR is first in the Sun Belt in field goal defense, as opponents have shot just 38.9 percent against them this season. The Trojans have an extremely balanced offensive attack, as nine players average more than four points a game. Senior guard Terrance Akins leads the team in scoring at just 9.3 points an outing. The Owls won last year's meeting 75-71 in Boca Raton despite 18 points and 22 rebounds from Rashad Jones-Jennings and 16 points from Lekheythan Malone.

Live audio of both games will be available on fausports.com and WMEN-640AM. Live stats of Thursday's game will also be available via GameTracker at fausports.com.