Dec. 17, 2001

Samford (4-3, 2-0 A-Sun) vs. Florida Atlantic (4-3, 2-0 A-Sun)

Dec. 17, 2001

7 p.m.

Seibert Hall, Samford University

Samford Probable Starters

Forward #14 Jon Mills 6-6, 205, Fr. (5.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

Center #44 Phillip Ramelli 6-10, 215, So. (9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg)

Guard #20 Chris Weaver 6-2, 190, Sr. (13 ppg, 2.8 apg)

Guard #32 Cornell Felton 5-11, 175, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg 2.5 apg)

Guard #24 Corey Green 6-3, 190, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Florida Atlantic Probable Starters

Forward #1 Raheim Brown 6-10, 210, Sr (19.1 ppg, 10.7 rpg)

Forward #23 Andre Garner 6-4, 200, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Center #2 Robert Williams 6-8 225, So. (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Guard #12 Anthony Slater 5-9, 155, Sr. (5.1 ppg, 2.4 apg)

Guard #25 Jeff Cowans 6-2, 170, So. (12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

SAMFORD: Monday's game is only the second Samford has played at home this season and the first in exactly a month. The Bulldogs won their only home contest, a 62-53 non-conference victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 17. Neitehr Samford nor FAU has played since Dec. 8 due to final exams. Samford and FAU are the only undefeated teams in Atlantic Sun play, and Samford leads the series 7-1 and is 4-0 in Birmingham. Samford defeated FAU 66-43 and 86-53 last season and the Owls have never won in Birmingham. Both teams are coming off losses, Samford a 65-54 loss to Illinois State and FAU a 88-84 overtime loss to Virginia Commonwealth. This is the first of two key A-Sun games at Seibert Hall this week, as the Bulldogs host UCF on Dec. 19. Additionally, Samford hosts non-conference Morehead State on Dec. 21. Samford Head Coach Jimmy Tillette enters the game with a 78-47-0 record in his fifth season with the Bulldogs. Tillette is 5-1 vs. the Owls, including last season's sweep of FAU, and he posts a 50-22 mark in conference play. Sophomore guard Eddie Harper has been the Bulldogs' hottest player in the last four games, shooting 60 percent (12-20) from the field, 56 percent (9-16) from the three-point line and 80 percent (4-5) from the free throw line. He has scored 37 points off the bench in those games, averaging 9.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. The Bulldogs' difficult 2001-02 schedule ranks 36th in the Sagarin rankings and Samford is rated 99th in the latest Sagarin rankings. Samford is also 69th in the latest rpi ratings.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC: FAU has not played since a 88-84 overtime loss to Virginia Commonwealth on Dec. 8. Raheim Brown leads the Owls, scoring 19.1 points grabbing 10.7 rebounds and blocking more than two shots per game. Brown and Jeff Cowans (12.0 ppg., 4.7 rpg) are the only Owls in double figures. Brown is also shooting 55 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free throw line. Florida Atlantic Head Coach Sidney Green is 13-55 in his third season as FAU head coach and 62-115 overall in seven seasons. Last season Green guided the Owls to a 7-24 mark and a 5-13 record in conference play.

INSIDE STUFF: Samford's senior dynamic duo, Chris Weaver and Corey Green, have proven vital to Samford success this season. In Samford's four wins the pair is averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds per game and shooting 41-73 (.561). However, in the Bulldogs' three losses the two are scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds per game and shooting 13-52 (.250) from the field.

AIR: WVSU-FM 91.1, with Scott Griffin on play-by-play, Mike Royer with color and Justin Firesheets in the studio.

INTERNET: www.samfordsports.com