Paradise Brew
Posts
Paradise Brew 10/11: Hoop Hoop Hooray

Paradise Brew 10/11: Hoop Hoop Hooray

Today, we're not so humbly bragging about some FAU basketball accolades.

Paradise Brew Crew
October 11, 2023

Good morning. Just another day in paradise. Florida Atlantic men’s basketball was ranked No. 1 in the AAC Preseason Poll. The 2022-2023 Conference USA Champions led the conference in scoring margin, rebounding margin, and defensive rebounds per game.

What else can you find in today’s Brew?

🏀 Two men’s hoops players get some huge preseason recognition
⚽️ Women’s soccer snags first AAC win and a couple of awards
🦉 And much, much more

📈 STOCK UP

Stock Up is brought to you by Go Solar Power, providing a full suite of solar panels, EV chargers, air conditioning, hot water systems, and more designed specifically for quality and savings.

🔼 No Resting On These Laurels. On top of Florida Atlantic men’s basketball No. 1 preseason ranking, junior guards Alijah Martin and Johnell Davis were named to the American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference First Team and Preseason Players of the Year.

Alijah Martin enters his fourth season with the Owls in 2023-24 after having an astonishing year. Last season, he became the 15th player in Florida Atlantic history to join the 1,000-point club. He was named the 2023 C-USA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and named to the 2023 NCAA All-Tournament Team, 2023 All-C-USA Tournament Team, and 2022-23 All-Conference USA First Team along with other accolades.

Johnell Davis is also entering his fourth season with the Owls, and led the team in multiple categories with a total of 509 points on the season, averaging 13.8 points per game, and 56 steals. He’s a tremendous player offensively and defensively as he recorded 158 defensive rebounds. Last season, he was named to the 2023 C-USA All-Tournament Team, 2022-23 Conference USA Sixth Player of the Year, 2022-23 All-C-USA First Team, and 2022-23 NABC All-District 17 First Team.

Head coach Dusty May took the opportunity at AAC Media Day to comment on these accolades, saying, “Our guys are elite competitors and workers. Once they get between the lines, they are as consistent and hungrier than ever.” Not one to let this go to his players’ heads, May also said, “Now it's outside the lines where we can't let all of the attention and accolades breed complacency and that is something that we have to be on guard for all year.”

📆 The Owls will open the season on the road at the Barstool Invitational on Wednesday, November 8 against Loyola Chicago, and then return to Boca Raton for the first home game of the season on Tuesday, November 14 against Eastern Michigan on the Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena at 7:00pm ET.

📱 Stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

🏀 Take a look a look at some of the scenes from AAC Media Day.

📡 FAU men’s basketball will be featured on ESPN U’s “Run it Back” on November 5 at 11:30 am.

🎤 Catch men’s basketball coach Dusty May discussing the “Run it Back” documentary with college basketball analyst Mike O’Donnell.

🔼 Meeting Goals. The awards keep trickling in, and this time it’s for women’s soccer—senior Lexi Gonzalez has been named the American Athletic Conference women’s soccer goalkeeper player of the week while midfielder Molly Setsma landed on the top five AAC weekly honor roll.

Gonzalez set a new career high of nine saves in the match against the Charlotte 49ers and recorded her third shutout of the season. Proving her clutch nature, the Bradenton, Florida native scored the winning goal with less than 90 seconds remaining in the match.

⚽️ FAU women’s soccer returns home this week for two matches, the first of which will be the pink-out game against SMU on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00pm ET.

🔼 Award Winning Conversations. Too many awards and it’s hard to keep up, y’all. Logan Lupo earned the Southwest Ranches and St. Thomas Aquinas product this week's AAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

It’s no wonder in looking back at his performance against Tulsa last Saturday. He scored eight points, made two field goals, and averaged 51.8 yards on four punts to help the Owls to a 20-17 win against Tulsa last Saturday. His second field goal of the game provided the winning margin as he hit a 27-yard attempt in a driving rainstorm early in the fourth quarter. His biggest play came late in the game with a 71-yard punt to the Tulsa 6-yard line to help protect the all-important three-point lead.

On the honor roll for his performance in the same game is running back Larry McCammon III, who rushed for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns on 26 carries.

🔼 No Bull. Florida Atlantic University football heads into this Saturday's intra-state matchup at USF on Saturday with a 1-0 American Athletic Conference record and two undeniable offensive weapons.

Heading into the 3:30pm ET contest that will air on ESPN2, FAU's junior receiver LaJohntay Wester is ranked No. 1 in the AAC and the nation with 99.8 receiving yards per game. The Palmetto, Florida native is also No. 1 in punt return yards per game. Balancing out the offensive attack is senior running back Larry McCammon III, who leads the league with 91.75 yards per game and No. 26 nationally. Last weekend, the duo combined for 228 of the team's 378 yards—or 60% of the Owls offense.

🧮 FAU will need all these two players can offer to counter a USF offensive attack that is averaging 31 points per game and a total of 441.5 yards per game.

🤝 HERE TO HELP

From the first moment you contact our friends at Shiner Law Group, you’re treated like family. But don’t take our word for it—see what their clients are saying about their experience in Shiner Law Group’s Google Review Profile.

When you contact Shiner Law Group to help you after an accident, you’ll get a team of top-rated injury lawyers and professionals ready to fight on your behalf and give you the individualized attention you deserve to maximize your recovery.

No matter what type of accident case you may have Shiner Law Group will always be available to help—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

🤔 PARADISE TRIVIA

May we ask you a question? Where did Florida Atlantic men’s basketball coach Dusty May get his start?

Think you know? Scroll down to the bottom to find out the answer.

☀️ SOLAR POWERED

More to your house than meets the eye. Want to harness the power of the sun and turn your roof into prime real estate?

Our friends at Go Solar Power can help you say goodbye to soaring electricity bills—and with solar panels, you can generate your own power and reduce your dependence on the grid, leading to significant savings each month.

🦉 ONE BIG THING

Diving head first into some good news. Florida Atlantic diving team’s Alicia Mora has been recognized as the American Athletic Conference’s Diver of the Week. This is her first AAC Award.

📬 FORWARDED BY A FRIEND

Did someone send you the Paradise Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

The Week Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Sage Dental, who are creating a modern, family-friendly approach to dentistry with one thing in mind—you. From pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to teeth cleanings and oral surgery, they work to provide you and your family the best dental care all in one place.

Wednesday 10/11