Tag: FAU

Why Penny Hardaway tossed a water bottle across the court in Memphis’ loss to FAU

Penny Hardaway has to chill

Fairleigh Dickinson wasn’t the only school out there pulling off upsets on Friday in the men’s NCAA tournament. Florida Atlantic held things down against Penny Hardaway’s Memphis team, too.

Well, OK. Maybe this one isn’t really something we should categorize as an “upset” — Memphis was only an 8-seed and FAU was a 9-seed.

But, still, this was a pretty stunning loss when you consider the talent that Memphis has and the potential path the team had in front of it going to the Sweet 16.

FAU took all of that away on Friday with a win. Even before the final buzzer, though, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway was clearly pretty miffed about it.

He absolutely chucked a water bottle across the court after the loss.

This feels a bit out of character for Hardaway, who is normally very chill. He’s had his moments, to be sure, just as every coach does.

There’s a reason for this. The game actually came with a bit of controversy. Hardaway tried to call a timeout after the Tigers scooped up a loose ball with about five seconds left on the clock. Memphis had a one-point lead in the moment.

Officials didn’t award the timeout, though, and it led to a jump ball with the possession arrow going to FAU. The Owls had one last possession and it led to this game-winning layup from Nicholas Boyd. 

So, yeah. It’s easy to see why Hardaway was so upset. He still shouldn’t have thrown that bottle, though. Hopefully, it didn’t hit anyone.

Former Auburn basketball player takes new executive role at new school

He recently served as a graduate assistant for Auburn for the last two years.

A former Auburn basketball player and graduate assistant has landed a new role.

K.T. Harrell, who played for Auburn from 2013-15 after transferring from Virginia, has landed a spot at Florida Atlantic University as its new Director of Basketball Operations. According to a press release from the Owls, Harrell is expected to help the team with “assisting in scouting and personnel reports of opponents” and “contributing to player development”.

Harrell played his first few seasons at Virginia, where he averaged around 20 minutes per game in both his seasons as a Cavelier. His shining seasons during his playing career came as a Tiger, however, where he was named to the All-SEC second team and the SEC Tournament first team in 2014. He averaged 18.5 points per game and shot 45.3 percent from the field during that successful senior year.

After his career at Auburn, Harrell played basketball for four years in Belgium, Turkey and Italy. He recently spent time as a graduate assistant for the Auburn Tigers for the last two seasons.

Report: Dolphins bringing in FAU DB Zyon Gilbert for a visit

The former Owl had a great Pro Day.

As all 32 NFL teams continue their preparations for the 2022 NFL draft, prospects are taking visits each and every day with hopes of impressing a team enough that they get selected.

On Wednesday afternoon, The Draft Network’s Justin Melo reported that the Miami Dolphins would be bringing in Florida Atlantic defensive back Zyon Gilbert for a Top 30 visit. Melo noted that Gilbert had an impressive Pro Day, as he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, recorded a 40-inch vertical and an 11.5-foot broad jump.

The defensive back played in his fifth season for FAU in 2021, recording 247 total tackles, 26 passes defended, 5.5 sacks, and five interceptions during his collegiate career. In his final season, he earned an All-CUSA.

At this point, it appears that Gilbert is being discussed much when it comes to the draft. If anything, he may sneak into the late rounds, but he may end up being undrafted and could be a developmental piece for an NFL team.

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Joan Joyce, who holds LPGA record for fewest putts in a round and once struck out Ted Williams, has died

FAU’s longtime softball and golf coach Joan Joyce has died. She was a member of the LPGA for 19 years.

Florida Atlantic University’s longtime softball and golf coach Joan Joyce has died.

Joyce, who was 81, had just celebrated her 1,000th win as a head coach with the Owls’ 1-0 softball victory against North Texas on March 18.

The FAU athletic department announced the news of her death on Sunday.

Joyce, who was in her 28th season of coaching, is one of 27 NCAA Division I softball coaches to reach 1,000 wins and the 43rd in any NCAA sport.

She also coached the FAU’s women’s golf team from 1996 to 2014.

She was a member of the LPGA for 19 years, from 1977 to 1995.

“This is a terribly sad loss for the FAU family. Joan was a true sports legend, and we are grateful for the 28 years she spent here, modeling the best in personal and professional behavior for our student-athletes,” FAU President John Kelly said in a statement. “Joan’s legacy will live on at the university and across the country through the generations of young women she inspired to play – and excel at – softball and golf.”

Beyond coaching, Joyce is considered among the greatest pitchers in softball. She is a member of 20 Halls of Fame and put up legendary statistics for the Raybestos Brakettes of the Amateur Softball Association, including 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games. She also was a 15-time All-American and a member of four World Series teams.

“We are very saddened to learn of Coach Joyce’s passing,” FAU Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White said. “Joan was one of the pillars that FAU Athletics was built upon. She was a legend in many ways and leaves a legacy at FAU and beyond that is unmatched. We are forever grateful for her nearly three decades of service to FAU and her student-athletes.”

Striking out two Baseball Hall of Fame members was another on the laundry list of accomplishments. Neither Ted Williams or Hank Aaron could handle her heat. In front of 17,000 people, a 20-year old Joyce struck out Williams, the last MLB player to hit over .400 for the season. Joyce once noted he slammed his bat down in frustration.

Fewest putts in a round

Joyce is in the Guinness Book of World Records. She is listed as the all-time record holder in golf for “fewest putts in a round (17) for the LPGA and PGA.”

Joyce also played basketball and volleyball, making marks in both sports. She was a four-time Women’s Basketball Association All-American and set the national tournament single-game scoring record in 1964 with 67 points. She was a player/coach for the Connecticut Clippers of the United States Volleyball Association.

Most people in Palm Beach County know her for the FAU softball program that she built from scratch, just as Howard Schnellenberger did with football. She turned that team into a constant championship contender.

The Owls softball team won 12 conference championships and made 11 NCAA tournament appearances under Joyce, resulting in eight Coach of the Year awards.

She is survived by her sister Janis Joyce; brother Joseph Joyce and his wife Virginia (Ginny); nieces Bridget Joyce Wright and husband Russ, and Meghan Joyce Bolesta and husband Michael; as well as two grand-nieces, Morgan and Brooke, and two grand-nephews in Joseph and Patrick.

FAU has set up a website for condolences and memories.

LOOK: Florida’s Anthony Richardson hurdles FAU defender

Anthony Richardson looked like a video game character for Florida against FAU.

The big question following Florida’s 35-14 victory against Florida Atlantic is who the quarterback will be after Anthony Richardson put on a highlight performance.

Richardson made a few video-game plays on his way to 160 yards rushing and he saved the best for last with a hurdle over an FAU defensive back. What makes Richardson’s performance all the more impressive is that he did it on just seven carries.

The backup QB came in for starter Emory Jones in the fourth quarter and finished out the game for Florida. He led the team into the endzone on two straight drives, including a 73-yard touchdown run.

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Five things you need to know about Florida’s first half vs. FAU

After 30 minutes of football, there’s a lot to take in for Gators fans. There’s a new QB, a new strategy on offense and a new season ahead.

The Florida Gators are up 14-0 at halftime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the 2021 season opener.

After 30 minutes of football, there’s a lot to take in for Gators fans. There’s a new quarterback, a new strategy on offense and a new season ahead. Here’s what we know after two quarters of Gators football.

 

 

Gators News: September 24, 2020

The excitement in the air is steadily rising as we near the end of the week and the beginning of SEC football in 2020 despite COVID-19.

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The excitement in the air is steadily rising as we near the end of the week and the beginning of Southeastern Conference football in 2020 despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the countdown now easily done in hours, we prepare ourselves for another season of our beloved Florida Gators.

USA TODAY Sports welcomes back SEC gridiron action with their staff picks for Week 4 of college football. All six contributors to the article selected the Gators to win this Saturday against the Ole Miss Rebels.

Also in the conference, Dan Wolken published an opinion yesterday afternoon that suggests that the SEC has been too tight-lipped about COVID-19 data and the real cost of a successful football season. The league is rolling some very big dice on its 10-game, conference-only schedule.

In other news from around the state, another Florida Atlantic football game postponed over COVID-19 concerns at South Florida. This postponement means FAU’s first four games have been canceled or postponed — at Minnesota, vs. Stony Brook, at  Georgia Southern, and vs. USF.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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Top 5 transfer destinations for Taulia Tagovailoa

Alabama’s third-string quarterback, Taulia Tagovailoa, has entered the transfer portal. AJ Spurr explores where he could potentially land.

Alabama’s sophomore quarterback, Taulia Tagovailoa, the younger brother of former Tide standout Tua, has entered the NCAA transfer portal and will look to continue his collegiate football career with a different program.

The report does not come as a shock — at least not to most — as he’s been in a quarterback room with Mac Jones and and freshman phenom Bryce Young among others. Unless something miraculous happens, it appears as if Taulia would be destined to roam the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

There are rumors of him wanting to follow Tua, much like how he did when his older brother committed to Alabama and the family moved from Hawaii to Alabaster (Ala.), which could play a role when deciding which roster he will be on in 2020.

The NCAA will soon be voting on the possibility of a one-time transfer waiver for athletes which would allow them to play immediately rather than sit out a season. The list below accounts for both possibilities.

Here are five of the most likely landing spots for Taulia:

5. Florida International

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

How can a player with such star power behind his last name go from one of the strongest and most storied college football programs to a team that went 6-7 in Conference USA? Easy. A guaranteed starting job, an opportunity to be a large factor in the growth of a young program and a high profile coach that’s shown he wants to win in the city of Miami, just not with the University of Miami.

Head coach Butch Davis has shown he wants to win and he proved it by claiming the title “best team in Miami” by beating the Hurricanes in 2019. Not to mention, the program had two players drafted in 2020 – one being quarterback James Morgan in the fourth round – and four players signed to teams after the draft.

FIU being located in Miami also makes sense to many when they consider Taulia wanting to be close to his brother, who now plays for the Dolphins, and family. They made an even bigger move in 2017 when they relocated to Birmingham from Hawaii to keep the family together.

When looking at the roster, there is an opening for the former four-star Tagovailoa. His strongest competition for the position would be former three-star Caleb Lynum.

Don’t be surprised if the Panthers make a strong push to get Taulia.

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Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl: SMU vs. Florida Atlantic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl betting odds between the SMU Mustangs and FAU Owls, with betting picks and tips.

The SMU Mustangs (10-2, 6-2 AAC West) and Florida Atlantic Owls (10-3, 8-1 C-USA East) square off in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the SMU-FAU odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

SMU vs. FAU: Three things you need to know

1. While the Owls are technically listed as the ‘away’ team, they’ll be playing on their home field on their own campus. FAU went 5-1 straight up and 4-2 against the spread at home, including 3-0 SU/ATS in the final three outings.

2. The Mustangs went 2-2 SU in their final four games, and 1-4 ATS in the final five regular-season games, although they won and covered in their season finale against Tulane, a bowl team.

3. SMU ranks ninth in the country with 495.3 total yards per game, 12th in passing yards per game (309.3) and seventh in points (43.0) per contest. Defensively, the Mustangs allowed 31.8 PPG to rank 100th in the country.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

SMU vs. FAU: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

FAU 40, SMU 36

Moneyline (ML)

FAU (+125) is listed as a short dog at home. The Owls are an attractive play because they’re on their home field, as well as the fact they’re 3-0 all-time in bowl games.

Against the Spread (ATS)

FAU (+3.5, -121) is catching three and a hook at home, making it an attractive play. While SMU (-3.5, +100) can sling it on offense, it’s poor defensively, and the Owls have plenty of talent to pile up the points. They will be playing their first game since head coach Lane Kiffin bolted for Ole Miss, but the Owls were focused in the Conference USA Championship game despite the rumors swirling, and they’ll be focused with interim coach Glenn Spencer at the helm before Willie Taggart takes over.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 69.5 (-110) is worth a roll of the dice. In SMU’s past six against non-conference teams, the Over is a perfect 6-0. The Over is 9-3 in the past 12 overall, and 6-2 in the Mustangs’ past eight as a favorite. The Over is 5-1-1 in FAU’s past seven as a dog, too.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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