One of best parts of March Madness is getting to know the ‘little guys’ that catch fire, just like the FAU Owls. But where is this team from?
It’s October, in the year 1964. In some parts of America, October brings cold, dreary weather and cloudy skies. But on this day in Boca Raton, FL it’s bright and sunny.
Surrounded by a crowd of 15,000 people sits a stage filled with United States senators, congressmen, governors and the sitting President of the US, Lyndon B. Johnson. As the 36th president squinted out across the crowd of people, he belted out in that signature Texas drawl, “Florida Atlantic University is officially open!”
Where is FAU? Florida Atlantic location, history and more
The path to FAU becoming a fully-fledged university is as unique as ever. During World War II, the area which later became the campus served as the Boca Raton Army Air Base. That base served a crucial part in winning the war, training the US soldiers who were aboard the Enola Gay.
However, by the 1950’s, the base was vacant. In 1955, the Florida State Legislature authorized the creation of the state’s fifth public institution as part of the State University System, and thanks to an enthusiastic push from Boca Raton native Tom Fleming, Florida Atlantic was born.
On that day in 1964, Johnson told the crowd, “America has entered a new era where education is no longer for the sons of the rich, but all those who qualify. It’s time for a new revolution in education.”
Nobody could have predicted that 58 years later, Florida Atlantic would be leading a revolution of a different kind — one on the basketball court.
FAU basketball: March Madness history
Yes, FAU’s men’s basketball team has taken the country by storm. Led by former Florida Gators assistant Dusty May, the Owls are soaring into the Sweet 16 for a matchup Thursday with Tennessee.
A team like FAU shouldn’t be in this position, which is what makes their romp so much fun.
Prior to 2023, Florida Atlantic had not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2002. This year marks only the second-ever tournament appearance in program history. May, a former Indiana student manager, is the program’s all-time wins leader; here’s the kicker, though – his 99-career wins are 23 more than the next closest.
In addition to their tournament run, the Owls have smashed up the program record book. The 33 wins are their most in a single season and their AP Poll rank of No. 19 earlier this year is their highest-ever, in addition to being ranked for the first time ever.
Earlier this season, May told Inside the Owls’ Burrow, “we don’t have a lot of holes in our roster. We can play big, play small, play fast or go into our bench.”
That versatility has shown itself all season and during the tournament.
The Owls ranks second in the nation in bench scoring and they have five different players averaging at least 8.5 points per game. During the tournament, they’ve taken excellent care of the ball, committing single-digit turnovers in both games. Almost just as impressive, they’ve scored 70 of their 144 total points in the paint.
As much as these Owls underscore the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” mentality, they’ve been led all season by sophomore Johnnell Davis. Davis scored 23 second-half points against FDU en route to the tournament’s first-ever 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ steals stat line. Davis also ranks 16th in scoring average during the NCAA Tournament.
Those numbers are eye-popping, but they came against 8-seed Memphis and fellow Cinderella Fairleigh Dickinson. Tennessee serves as a sharp increase in competition. But the Owls know what’s in store.
“We’re bringing our hardhat,” senior Ginacarlo Rosado said this week. “We know Tennessee is physical, but we aren’t worried about that. They’re scrappy, we’re scrappy. We’re going to compete tomorrow.”
The Owls head coach also acknowledged the tall task facing his Owls.
“They keep the ball out of the paint and close to shooters with their size and length,” May said. “But most importantly, it’s their intensity and their physicality. They play every single possession like it’s their last.”
May caught some flak last week following his postgame comments, saying FAU was going to “study up on Australian rugby and get ready for Tennessee.” May later clarified those comments this week, saying he meant them as a compliment. If nothing else though, it speaks to FAU’s swagger and bravado that continues to grow each game.
The outside world might think they don’t belong here, but Florida Atlantic does.
“We’re an undersized group, but we’ve got heart,” guard Nick Boyd said. May reiterated saying, “we’re here to compete.”
Just days before the university was set to open all those years ago, Hurricane Cleo swept through the campus, inspiring their motto ‘Where Tomorrow Begins.’ Fast forward to 2023 and FAU continues to play like there’s no tomorrow. A win Thursday night sends the Owls to the Elite Eight.
Jerry Seinfeld once joked that Del Boca Vista (an obvious play on Boca Raton) is where “old people go to die.” In Boca Raton? That’s where dreams go to thrive.
Somewhere, Tom Flemming smiles on.
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