MBB Season Recap: Moving on Up

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Over the past four seasons head coach Dusty May has been at the helm of Florida Atlantic University men's basketball, the program has continued to break new records, accomplish milestones that haven't been attained in some time and reach higher standards. The 2021-22 season was no different.

FAU finished the season 19-15, the third most wins in a single season at FAU, which included a trip to the Roman College Basketball Invitational. During each of May's four years as head coach, he has accomplished a winning season, becoming the first FAU coach to earn four consecutive winning seasons.

Alijah Martin earned All-Conference USA Third Team honors, becoming just the fourth Owl to be named on an All-C-USA Team. Michael Forrest was a C-USA Honorable Mention selection, as well as a Second Team NABC All-District choice.

FAU broke a myriad of school records as team, highlighted by scoring a single-season record in total points with 2,519. This shattered the previous record set in 2007-08 when the team put up 2,367 points. The team showcased they were a scoring threat each and every game, averaging 74.1 points per contest while breaking the school record in field goals made in a single season with 907. The total bested the previous record of 886 made in the program's second year of existence (1989-90).

May's teams continue to show they can be a threat from deep, knocking down 299 total 3-pointers this season, which bested the record May's team broke in his first season in Boca Raton in 2018-19 (290). In the Owls' 96-67 win over Charlotte, FAU poured on 16 treys, shooting 16-for-21 (.762) from the field, to break a single-game team record for highest 3-point percentage. Throughout the season, the Owls registered 8.8 triples a game, the third highest total in the league and the 49th in the country.

The Owls played and won several memorable games throughout the season, starting with non-conference play. FAU hosted Miami for the first time in 19 years in the Owls' third game of the season. Despite losing to the Canes (who made the Elite Eight) 68-66 on a buzzer beater, 2,772 fans packed Abessinio Court at FAU Arena, which became the sixth-largest recorded crowd in the last 14 years.

The following weekend after the UM game, FAU hosted the Paradise Classic, in which the Owls won two of their three games. May earned his 50th career win in the team's 98-79 win over North Dakota.

Wrapping up non-conference play, FAU held North Florida to just 41 points, the fourth-least number of points scored by an opponent in school history. With just five turnovers committed in games against Palm Beach Atlantic and Florida Tech, the team earned its second-best mark of least turnovers made in a game.

FAU continued to ride on some momentum going into C-USA play. The team set a new program record in C-USA wins with 11, as an 11-7 league mark became the first time the Owls clinched a winning season in conference play. Eleven wins also bested the previous record for most C-USA wins, what was eight in May's first season.

The team started out the league slate with a bang following a 90-77 win at Marshall. Michael Forrest paced the Owls with 27 points (6-for-11 from 3-point), as the team won at the Cam Henderson Center for the first time since 2014. The Owls came back home to pick up huge wins over Charlotte (96-67), WKU (78-69) and Marshall (71-60).

FAU continued its hot streak at home with its win over Louisiana Tech, 83-73, marking the program's eighth straight victory at Abessinio Court at FAU Arena. Martin logged 21 points, Forrest tallied 20 and Bryan Greenlee finished just shy of a 20-piece with 19.

The Owls wrapped up their three-game homestand with their 10th straight victory at home following an 81-62 rout over Old Dominion. FAU became just one of 23 teams in the nation at the time with 10+ straight wins at home.

FAU finished the conference season's final three games with three straight wins, including a sweep over rival FIU. The team defeated the Panthers 71-51 in Miami and followed up that feat two days later with an 84-76 win at home led by Martin's career-high 34 points.

The Owls earned the 3-seed in the East at the C-USA Championship and defeated Southern Miss in the second round, 86-59. FAU would fall to eventual C-USA Tournament Champion UAB (66-80), but still received a bid to the CBI, marking the program's fourth postseason appearance.

In C-USA ranks, the team finished second in total rebounds (1,234), third in rebounding margin (4.2), third in 3-pointers per game (8.8) and third in 3-point attempts (850).

The team is returning four of five everyday starters next season, as May looks to lead the team to their first conference title since 2002 in his fifth season.

For complete coverage of FAU men's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@FAUMBB), Instagram (@faumbb) and Facebook (FAU Men's Basketball).

Owls in C-USA Statistical Rankings
Bryan Greenlee
5th – assist/turnover ratio (1.76)
12th – assists per game (3.4)

Michael Forrest
2nd – 3-point attempts (241)
7th – 3-pointers per game (2.5)
7th – 3-point field goal percentage (35.3)
20th – scoring (13.24)

Vladislav Goldin
7th – blocks per game (1.15)

Alijah Martin
2nd – 3-point field goal percentage (40.0)
5th – 3-pointers per game (2.55)
5th – total steals (55)
6th – 3-point field goal percentage (210)
7th – steals per game (1.61)
16th – scoring (13.9)

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Michael Forrest

Vladislav Goldin

Bryan Greenlee

Alijah Martin

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Saint Leo on December 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Albany on December 13, 2025 at 12 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Saint Mary's on December 19, 2025 at 10 p.m. ET

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus UCF on December 23, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus UTSA on December 31, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Tulane on January 4, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET

Florida Atlantic University Athletics