Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State Preview

On Saturday in Houston, Florida Atlantic Owls and San Diego State Aztecs will square off in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four. Tip-off from NRG Stadium is set for 6:09 p.m. ET with San Diego State as 2.5-point favorites and the game total set at 131.5 points.

Florida Atlantic (35-3 SU and 24-11-1 ATS) defeated Kansas State in the Elite Eight. With this win, the Owls have now won 11 straight games straight-up.

San Diego State (31-6 SU and 19-15-2 ATS) defeated Creighton in the Elite Eight to continue their eight-game winning streak.

Like the Owls, San Diego State is headed for its first Final Four after upsetting two teams. These Aztecs are tough and can defend for 40 minutes without fouling out, plus they excel offensively at all costs. If you want to beat them, be prepared: their offense will take advantage of your mistakes. It takes belief and commitment; don't let up now.

San Diego State produced another defensive masterwork, holding Creighton to 23 points in the second half. As it did against top-seed Alabama in the Sweet 16, SDSU's three-point defense shined, holding Creighton to 2-for-17 shooting (11.8%) from long range. It may not have been a pretty win, but San Diego State's warrior spirit shone through nonetheless.

Senior guard Matt Bradley leads San Diego State in scoring with an average of 12.5 points on 40.1 percent shooting and 3.8 rebounds per game. Other key Aztecs to watch include senior guard Darrion Trammell (9.9 PPG and 3.1 APG), junior guard Lamont Butler (8.7 PPG and 3.3 APG), senior forward Jaedon LeDee (7.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG) and junior guard Micah Parrish (7.7 PPG and 3.6 RPG).

San Diego State averages 72.9 points per game (148th) and shoots 45.2 percent from the floor (155th), including 36.3 percent from three-point range (71st). It converts 73.1 percent of its free throws (125th) and averages 32.4 rebounds with a +5.0 rebounding margin (143rd). SDSU ranks 74th in adjusted offensive efficiency, 223rd in effective field goal percentage (49.6%), and 266th in adjusted tempo.

San Diego State allows 64.4 points per game on defense (37th), while their opponents shoot 42.1 percent (82nd), including 29.8 percent from three-point range (15th). San Diego State ranks 4th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 112th in assist-per-turnover ratio.

The Owls are on an incredible run in NCAA Tournament history. After bating 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson, many expected them to get bounced from the tourney; instead, they managed to upset highly-favored Tennessee and heavily-bet Kansas State to earn their first-ever Final Four appearance. But unlike those two teams, FAU carries itself like an underdog, too - although it's the Owls who are getting points in this game!

FAU overcame 22 turnovers to secure a decisive rebounding victory against KSU. The Owls secured 44 rebounds, double the Wildcats' total, including 14 offensive boards. Furthermore, FAU shot 48.1 percent from the field (including 9-for-23 (39.1%) from three) and made all 18 of its freFlorida Atlantic sophomore guard Johnell Davis leads the Owls in scoring, averaging 13.9 points on 49.3% shooting and 5.5 rebounds per game. Other Owls to watch on Saturday include sophomore guard Alijah Martin(13.1 PPG and 5.2 RPG), sophomore center Vladislav Goldin(10.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG), freshman guard Nicholas Boyd(8.9 PPG and 4.3 RPG), and senior guard Michael Forrest(8.4 PPG).

Florida Atlantic scores 79.3 points per game (26th), shoots 47.2 percent from the field (41st), including 37.8 percent from three (22nd), converts 71.2 percent of their free throws (205th) and averages 35.2 rebounds (30th) with an +5.4 rebounding margin. FAU ranks 24th in schedule-adjusted offensive efficiency, 25th in effective field goal percentage (54.3%) and 156th in adjusted tempo.

Florida Atlantic allows 65.7 points per game on defense (60th), while their opponents shoot 41.1 percent (40th) including 33.3 percent from the three-point range (145th). Florida Atlantic ranks 30th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 64th in assist-per-turnover ratio.

Head to Head

Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State Head-to-Head this season.

These teams have not played this season.

Team Leaders

Our Betting Pick for Today

I have complete faith in San Diego State's defense, which caused havoc for Alabama and Creighton this season. The Aztecs grind you down for the entire shot clock and don't waste any energy on offense. While Florida Atlantic may make this an exciting game, like Creighton, it will likely fall short down the stretch.

Place a wager on San Diego State to win and cover.

Betting on the Game: San Diego State -2.5

I am betting on the under in this one, as both of these teams are excellent defensively.

?Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State How to Watch ??

?? Date: Saturday, April, 01

?? Game Time: 6:09 pm

?? How to Watch: CBS

@NRG Stadium