Five Florida Atlantic basketball players to watch when they play Kansas State in Elite 8
Florida Atlantic advanced to the Elite 8 as a mystery to most college basketball fans. You'd be hard pressed to find a college basketball follower outside of South Florida who could name even one starter.
As a public service to NCAA Tournament fans everywhere, here is a primer on some of the Owls you will want to watch on Saturday night when they play Kansas State in Madison Square Garden.
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Johnell Davis
FAU’s “do-it-all” sophomore took a huge step forward this season, averaging a team-leading 13.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg (second on the team). In the win against FDU, Davis, an All-CUSA first-team pick, had 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals. No one had done that in the tournament since steals became an official statistic in 1986.
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Alijah Martin
Sophomore Alijah Martin is second on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and averaged 5.3 rpg, leading to an All-CUSA first-team nod. The former high school quarterback from Mississippi has elite athleticism. Anyone who watched FAU this season saw the streaks of greatness that can lead to a huge role in the future.
Vladislav Goldin
The sophomore big man from Russia is leading the team in rebounds per game (6.4), while also averaging 10.4 ppg (third on the team). Standing 7-1, Goldin is crucial in providing much-needed size. His presence in the paint makes FAU scary on the defensive end.
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Giancarlo Rosado
While Rosado’s six points and close to four rebounds per game won’t blow anyone's socks off, the sophomore's impact goes beyond statistics. Coach Dusty May has described the Palm Beach Lakes High School alumnus as a “point-forward” because his ability to pass the ball as a big-man is underrated. Primarily Goldin's backup, he has been exceptional in the postseason with 21 points against Memphis and 20 against FDU.
Nick Boyd
Missing all of last season, Boyd has been an X-factor. The redshirt freshman is averaging 8.9 ppg and 4.1 rpg. His game-winning layup vs. Memphis with seconds left led to the first NCAA Tournament win in the program’s history. With May touting Boyd last season when he was out, fans now know what the hype was all about.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU basketball players to watch in March Madness
