BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic Owls are making their return to Big Dance following their historic fun to the Final Four in 2023, but this time with the hopes of winning a Natty.
It became just the third time in program history (2002, 2023) and the first time in back-to-back seasons that they have qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Local 10 News spoke with FAU Head Coach Dusty May Monday who said his team is ready for any type of challenge after gaining experience in the tournament last season.
“It gives us a great deal of confidence, familiarity with the process and the magnitude of how big this event is,” he said.
The Owls will face Northwestern on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Brooklyn, New York.
FAU earned the 8-seed in the NCAA tournament which is one spot higher than when they were awarded the 9-seed in 2023.
“Even though we’re the eighth seed, a lot of people don’t respect that we’re the eighth seed and read to go,” said FAU guard Nick Boyd.
FAU went on to have a magical run against Memphis, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State before losing to a last-second buzzer-beater to San Diego State in the Final Four.