Can Florida Atlantic Basketball Be the Next Gonzaga?
Florida Atlantic Basketball has had a dream season, and it isn’t even over yet. The Owls just can’t stop winning. After bringing home the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles, Dusty May’s squad entered the 2023 NCAA Tournament as the No. 9 seed in the East Region. Following a (controversial) win over No. 8 Memphis in the Round of 64, FAU rattled off victories against No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson, No. 4 Tennessee, and No. 3 Kansas State to reach the Final Four. The Owls have collected a nation-best 35 wins.
What are the chances this season isn’t the end? Can Florida Atlantic Basketball sustain this success and become the Gonzaga of the East?
Yes, that is far easier to say than actually do. What Mark Few has done with the Gonzaga program is not easily repeated, and that took two decades of building. However, if any program has the necessary pieces in place to maybe replicate that, I think it’s FAU.
This season gives FAU the easiest recruiting pitch of all time. 35-win season, Final Four appearance at a minimum, oh and they’re also in Boca Raton? Who wouldn’t sign up for that? Michael Forrest is the only senior on the roster right now. It’s not often a 35-win Final Four team can run it back, and that stability makes for continued success.
Furthermore, Florida Atlantic Basketball is planning to set aside $10M for upgrades to facilities. Dusty May will likely sign a long-term extension. Assuming May doesn’t get poached by a high-major program (a larger Florida school or Indiana if Mike Woodson doesn’t pan out), he’s got a good foundation and plenty of runway to build FAU into a perennial mid-major power.
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