South Florida defeats Florida Atlantic 81-83

The South Florida Bulls secured a hard-fought 83-81 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls, with Wes Enis leading the charge with 27 points, including 7 crucial points in the final 2 minutes of the game. This win marked the Bulls' 18th victory of the season, solidifying their position as a top contender in their conference. The Owls, on the other hand, suffered their 12th loss, dropping to 14-12 on the year. Over the last 5 games, the Owls have struggled, averaging 72.8 points per game while allowing 83.2 points per game, resulting in a -10.4 point differential. In contrast, the Bulls have been on a tear, averaging 86 points per game over their last 5 games, outscoring their opponents by 9.6 points per game.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. The Owls' Devin Vanterpool had a standout performance, scoring 26 points, including 4 three-pointers, to keep his team in the game. However, the Bulls' balanced attack, which saw 4 players score in double figures, ultimately was too much for the Owls to handle. The Bulls shot 47.5% from the field, including 38.5% from three-point range, while the Owls shot 44.7% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. The Bulls also outrebounded the Owls 37-32, including 12 offensive rebounds, which led to 15 second-chance points.

The Bulls' Wes Enis was the star of the show, hitting 10 of his 18 field goal attempts, including 3 three-pointers, to finish with 27 points. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists to his stat line, making him a dominant force on the court. The Owls' Devin Vanterpool, on the other hand, had a strong game, but his supporting cast was unable to match the Bulls' intensity and depth. Vanterpool's 26 points were not enough to overcome the Bulls' balanced attack, which saw CJ Brown and Joseph Pinion add 17 and 16 points, respectively. The Bulls' bench also outscored the Owls' bench 15-10, with 12 of those points coming in the second half.

The CHD Scout prediction had the Florida Atlantic Owls winning by a slim 0.2 margin, but the South Florida Bulls had other plans.

The prediction model missed the mark, as the Bulls' ability to score from multiple positions and their dominance on the glass ultimately was too much for the Owls to handle. The Owls' recent form, which has seen them lose 5 straight games, averaging 72.8 points per game while allowing 83.2 points per game, should have been a warning sign that they were due for a loss. The Bulls, on the other hand, have been on a roll, winning 4 of their last 5 games, including a 97-83 thrashing of Tulane. The Bulls' 86 points per game average over their last 5 games was a full 13.2 points more than the Owls' average over the same span.

The win for the Bulls has real consequences for their tournament resume, as they look to solidify their position as a top seed in their conference. With an 18-8 record and a NET ranking of 57, the Bulls are in good shape to make a deep run in the postseason. The Owls, on the other hand, are still on the bubble, with a 14-12 record and a NET ranking of 115. Their recent form has been a major concern, and they must turn things around quickly if they hope to make a push for the tournament. The Bulls' 4-1 record over their last 5 games has been a major factor in their rise up the rankings, and they want to continue that momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.

The Bulls' win over the Owls has likely locked up a tournament bid for the Bulls, who now have a 4-1 record in Quad 2 games. The Owls, on the other hand, are still on the bubble, but their recent form has made it an uphill climb. They must win at least 3 of their remaining 5 games to have a realistic chance at making the tournament. The Bulls' NET ranking of 57 is a full 58 spots ahead of the Owls, and their Quad 2 record is significantly better. The Bulls' win has also given them a significant advantage in the conference standings, where they now sit 2 games ahead of the Owls. With 5 games remaining, the Bulls are in control of their own destiny, and a strong finish could see them rise even higher in the rankings.

The Bulls' ability to close out games has been a major factor in their success this season, as they have now won 5 games by 5 points or less. Their 83-81 win over the Owls was their 10th win by 10 points or less, and it marked their 5th straight win in games decided by 5 points or less. The Bulls' experience and composure in close games have been a major advantage, and it has allowed them to pull out wins even when they are not playing their best basketball. The Owls, on the other hand, have struggled to close out games, with 7 of their 12 losses coming by 5 points or less. Their inability to finish games has been a major concern, and it must be addressed if they hope to make a push for the tournament.

In the end, the Bulls' 83-81 win over the Owls was a reflection of their depth and resilience. With 4 players scoring in double figures, the Bulls were able to overcome a strong performance from the Owls' Devin Vanterpool and secure a crucial win. The Bulls' 18-8 record and NET ranking of 57 have them in good shape to make a deep run in the postseason, while the Owls' 14-12 record and NET ranking of 115 have them on the bubble. The Bulls' win has real consequences for their tournament resume, and it has likely locked up a tournament bid for the Bulls. As the season heads into its final stretch, the Bulls want to continue their momentum and make a push for a top seed in their conference.