Owls Host Shockers Before Road Game at Temple

Thursday, January 15

Boca Raton, Fla.

9 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Wichita State

Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof

1/14/2026 1:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Live Stats for Wichita State Live Stats for Temple Watch Live Listen Game Notes #18 Follow on X - @FAUMBB

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic's men's basketball team will host Wichita State on Thursday, Jan. 15 at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena before a one-game trip to Philadelphia to face Temple on Sunday, Jan. 18.

After a 2-0 week, the Owls (11-6, 3-1) are looking to continue momentum in the American Conference, where they are tied for the most wins in league play.

Thursday against the Shockers (10-7, 2-2), sponsored by Coca-Cola, will be the 'Sandstorm' game at the Elly with tip off at 9 p.m. on ESPN2. Sunday's road matchup versus the Owls of Temple (11-5, 3-0) begins at noon, airing on ESPNU.

LAST TIME OUT
Florida Atlantic achieved its first road victory over UAB in program history on Wednesday, Jan. 7, taking the game 76-71. They then recorded a double-digit win over Memphis on Sunday, Jan. 11 by a score of 89-78. Junior guard Kanaan Carlyle led the way in both games, with a 25-point performance on Wednesday and 17 on Sunday to earn the Owls' first American Conference Player of the Week for the season.

ABOUT THE OWLS

Head Coach John Jakus is in his second season at the helm of the program. In his debut campaign in 2024-25, he was a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given to the nation's top first-year head coach. Under Jakus' watch, the Owls participated in their fourth straight year of postseason play, selected to the 2025 National Invitational Tournament.
FAU boasts eight international players. In total, the Owls are represented by seven different countries: the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Senegal, and France.
Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool has totaled two American Conference weekly honorable mentions in the midst of his career-best season. He leads FAU in points per game (16.3), rebounds per game (6.8), as well as steals (27), and is third in blocks (11) and assists (35). His rebounds per game rank No. 3 nationally among guards 6'4 and shorter. Against Coastal Georgia, he scored 30 points, the first Owl reaching that mark since Johnell Davis in January of 2024. He has recorded two double-doubles, most recently against Memphis with a career-high 11 boards.
Carlyle is the first American Conference Player of the Week for the Owls this season. He reached 500 collegiate career points on Dec. 13 against UAlbany, leading all active Owls. He is second on the team in points per game at 15.2 and is tied for the lead in assists per game (3.1).
Guard Josiah Parker, the American Conference's Preseason Freshman of the Year, has won two weekly awards after scoring 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the Owls' comeback win over Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 7 and then 17 points against Saint Mary's on Dec. 19.
As a team, the Owls are No. 9 in the nation in blocks per game (5.9). Redshirt sophomore forward Devin Williams is averaging 3.0 per game, the second best mark nationwide. Against Memphis, he totaled seven blocks, one shy of the single-game program record.
Florida Atlantic was ranked sixth in the American's preseason poll and are currently tied for the most wins in conference play with three.

ABOUT THE SHOCKERS

Paul Mills is in his third season leading the team.
Senior guard Kenyon Giles is the top outside shooter in the American, converting 42.6% of his three-point attempts. He leads the Shockers and is third in the league at 18.6 points per game.
On the boards, Karon Boyd leads the team at 7.8 per game.
Wichita State averages 14.9 offensive rebounds per game, No. 7 in the nation.
The two teams have met four previous times, with the series tied at 2-2.

ABOUT THE TEMPLE OWLS

Head Coach Adam Fisher is in his third season with the program.
Senior guard Derrian Ford leads the team at 17.7 points per game, fourth in the conference.
Junior guard Gavin Griffiths is second in the conference at 2.3 blocks per game, only trailing Florida Atlantic's Williams.
As a team, the Temple Owls average just 8.8 turnovers per game, the third least in the nation.
Temple trails FAU 2-1 in the all-time series, including a loss in the last meeting in February of 2025.

UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will embark on another home-and-road week, hosting Tulane on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and traveling to Tampa to face South Florida at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.

SCHEDULE
Click here for the 2025-26 schedule.

ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men's basketball roster.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

Florida Atlantic's 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.