Dusty May, FAU Agree to 10-Year Contract Extension After Cinderella Final Four Run
Apr 8, 2023
Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May reacts during the first half of a Final Four college basketball game against San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida Atlantic University has announced that it has signed men's basketball head coach Dusty May to a 10-year extension after he led the Owls to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance as a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament.
"I would like to thank Dr. Stacy Volnick, Brian White, our board of trustees and foundation board for their belief in the direction of our program," May said in a statement thanking both the school president and its athletic director. "This is an exciting time to be at FAU, and we are thrilled to build upon last season's success."
FAU had made the tournament just once before this season, but the Owls made the most of this year with a tremendous run to the Final Four thanks to victories over Memphis, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State. FAU nearly made the championship game but lost 72-71 to San Diego State after Lamont Butler hit a game-winning, buzzer-beating jumper.
May, the CBS Sports National Coach of the Year, is 101-60 over five seasons leading FAU. The 46-year-old served as an assistant coach from 2005-2018 at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech and Florida before landing the FAU gig.
FAU had seven straight losing seasons (and 10 losing campaigns in their last 11) before May joined the team. The Owls haven't had a losing season since and won their first conference tournament championship since 2002.
FAU cruised to the Conference USA title this year with an 18-2 record before making its mark on March. Now May is locked into FAU long term as he looks to sustain the tremendous success the Owls found this year.
Final Four Run Put FAU 'On the Map,' Nick Boyd Says After Buzzer-Beating Loss to SDSU
Apr 2, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 25: Nick Boyd #2 of the Florida Atlantic Owls reacts during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Elite Eight round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
After a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer against San Diego State in the Final Four on Saturday, FAU guard Nick Boyd and his teammates had nothing to hang their heads about.
Despite the loss, the Owls completed one of the most historic and extraordinary runs in recent NCAA tournament memory.
Every basket, rebound and victory became a piece of program history, going from never winning a tournament game to being a possession away from going to the national championship against UConn.
And Boyd, one of the catalysts of his team's run, kept that perspective during the postgame press conference.
"It's a bittersweet moment," Boyd said. "I'm not dwelling on it much. I'm ready to get back to work. I'm happy for our team. I mean, we put FAU on the map. That's most important to me. When I came to this school and I committed here, I said this is what we're going to do. And we took it to a new height. All I can do is smile and be appreciative of the run we went on."
The good news for the Owls is that it doesn't look like a whole lot is gonna change with their team going into next season as they make the move from Conference USA to the AAC, where they'll see a bit higher level of competition.
Aside from senior Michael Forrest, the majority of FAU's biggest contributors—namely Boyd, Johnell Davis, Alijah Martin, Vladislav Goldin and Giancarlo Rosado—are all sophomores or younger.
Another big boost for the program is that coach Dusty May, who had the type of run that usually leads to a shiny, new job, is actually getting a shiny, new, long-term deal to stay in South Florida and continue to lead this new era of Owls basketball.
May led his team to 35 wins, a program record, at one point winning 20 consecutive games en route to a C-USA regular-season and tournament title ahead of their magical run to close out the year.
FAU is certainly on the map, and it may not be going anywhere anytime soon.
2023 NCAA Men's Final Four Won't Feature Top-3 Seed for 1st Time in History
Mar 26, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 25: The Florida Atlantic Owls celebrate after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats in the Elite Eight round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
It turns out anyone who felt like there weren't any overwhelmingly dominant teams in men's college basketball this season may have been on to something.
Miami's win over Texas in Sunday's Elite Eight game meant history was made, and not the kind the typical powerhouses will like. ESPN's Field Yates noted this is the first year that there will not be a top-three seed in the men's Final Four.
Instead, the Final Four will consist of fourth-seeded UConn from the West Region, fifth-seeded Miami from the Midwest Region, fifth-seeded San Diego State from the South Region and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic from the East Region.
In a typical year, any of those teams might be the Cinderella story.
Yet the distinction goes to the Owls from the Conference USA, even though they are now 35-3 on the season after Saturday's dramatic win over Kansas State. They reached their first Final Four in program history and are just two wins away from taking home the national title.
And there won't be any top-three seeds in their way.
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
How Florida Atlantic Came Out of Nowhere to Put Together Historic Cinderella Run
Kerry Miller
Mar 26, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 25: The Florida Atlantic Owls celebrate after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats in the Elite Eight round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
In defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 79-76 Saturday night to reach the 2023 men's Final Four, the Florida Atlantic Owls have officially put together the most true-to-the-Cinderella-script run in NCAA tournament history.
Within the context of an individual season, sure, there have been more surprising national semifinalists than this. After all, FAU spent several weeks in the AP Top 25 and entered the tournament as a 31-win No. 9 seed—really should have been at least a No. 7 seed, but I won't get on that soapbox again here—and there have been six double-digit seeds to reach the Final Four since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985: 1986 LSU (No. 11), 2006 George Mason (No. 11), 2011 VCU (No. 11), 2016 Syracuse (No. 10), 2018 Loyola Chicago (No. 11) and 2021 UCLA (No. 11).
However, five of those six programs had at least been relevant in March before.
And last time I checked, Cinderella is the story of a completely anonymous girl who comes out of nowhere, not the story of a girl who used to frequent balls back in the day and decides to relive her glory days in a pair of glass slippers.
LSU made it to the Final Four as a No. 1 seed five years before its unlikely run in 1986. VCU was a No. 2 seed in 1985 and had won five NCAA tournament games in program history prior to going First Four to Final Four in 2011. Loyola Chicago won it all in 1963. Syracuse did the same in 2003. UCLA has more men's college basketball national championships than any other program.
The exception is George Mason, which had never won an NCAA tournament game before its magical run 17 years ago.
But at least the Patriots had been to three dances in the two decades leading up to 2006. And at least they entered that season with a winning record in program history (399-372).
That's much more than can be said for Florida Atlantic.
FAU's Bryan Greenlee
The Owls had previously been to just one NCAA tournament, stealing a bid in 2002 with a one-point victory over A-Sun No. 1 seed Georgia State in the conference championship game. They didn't win their ensuing NCAA tournament game against No. 2 seed Alabama, and they didn't win many regular-season games after that, either, entering this season with an all-time record of 329-532 (38.2 percent).
Even though head coach Dusty May had been building some momentum with this program since getting the job in the spring of 2018, this run was as unforeseeable as the notion of a baby learning how to walk and then becoming an Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump a week later.
FAU finished one game above .500 in May's first season at the helm.
Then two games above .500.
Then three.
Then four.
Then, shazam, 32 games above .500 with (at least) one more game in Houston still to come.
How did he do it?
How did Dusty May go to a school where the program's primary selling point to prospective recruits—"1.8 miles to the beach"—is plastered on the court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena and build a possible national champion in the sand?
Simply put, he went out and found guys with heart, with grit and with a desire to a part of something bigger than themselves.
Case in point: It makes absolutely no sense for the Owls to be one of the better rebounding teams in the country, as they never have more than one player taller than 6'4" on the court at any given time.
They should have gotten destroyed on the glass by Memphis, by Tennessee and by a Kansas State squad with four guys 6'9" or taller in its primary eight-man rotation.
And yet, Florida Atlantic completely annihilated Kansas State on the glass by a 44-22 margin.
At one of the most critical junctures of the game, FAU's Nicholas Boyd missed the front end of a one-and-one with the Owls leading 72-69. Four Wildcats were there to grab the rebound, but they all forgot to put a body on 6'2" Alijah Martin, who created the second-chance opportunity that eventually led to a Johnell Davis layup.
Kind of a microcosm of FAU's entire tournament in that one sequence.
FAU's Alijah Martin
The Owls have out-rebounded each opponent thus far in the Big Dance, grabbing darn near 40 percent of possible offensive rebounds.
And that's key, because there have been a ton of offensive rebounding situations. Prior to shooting 9-of-23 from three-point range Saturday night, the Owls had been struggling in that one area that figured to be their main source of strength if they did go on this type of miraculous run.
Heading into the Dance, this was a 37.2 percent three-point shooting team, and one that averaged more than 26 long-range attempts per game. There was a five-game stretch late in the season when the team shot 65-of-148 (43.9 percent) from distance. Not quite as "live and die by the three" as Penn State, but the Owls did rank top-40 nationally in both three-point percentage and three-point attempt rate at the start of the tournament.
But despite opening the Dance with three consecutive games shooting below 30 percent from beyond the arc, here they still stand, finding a way to win games even when things aren't going their preferred way, playing with the resilience of a team that has been there and done that, even though the Owls definitively have never been there or done that.
This FAU team has no fear.
It has swagger, but it doesn't have an ego, which is a delicate line to balance.
And it marches to the beat of its head coach, who always seems supremely confident, calm and composed.
Ripping off shirts and jumping on tables after big wins might work for Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman, but at least as far as sideline/postgame demeanor is concerned, May is much more of a Brad Stevens, who led Butler to two national championship games, or a Jay Wright, who won two titles at Villanova.
And at this point in what has been an out-of-control tournament, it has grown surprisingly easy to envision May channeling his inner Wright by whispering a little "bang" to himself before calmly walking through the handshake line after FAU pens the "happily ever after" on the greatest Cinderella story ever told.
Kerry Miller covers men's college basketball and Major League Baseball for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter: @kerrancejames.
FAU's Cinderella Run to Final Four Stuns Twitter with Upset of Markquis Nowell, KSU
Mar 26, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 25: Bryan Greenlee #4 of the Florida Atlantic Owls celebrates a basket against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Florida Atlantic's Cinderella run lives on.
The No. 9 Florida Atlantic Owls upset the No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday night in Elite Eight action to reach the Final Four of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
— Florida Atlantic Men's Basketball (@FAUMBB) March 26, 2023
While Kansas State's Markquis Nowell notched 30 points, three rebounds, 12 assists and five steals, the remainder of the team put together a disappointing performance as the only other player to reach double digits in scoring was Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block.
FAU, meanwhile, was paced by Alijah Martin, who posted 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, and also saw Johnell Davis (13 points), Vladislav Goldin (14 points) and Bryan Greenlee (16 points) finish with double digits in scoring.
Twitter was stunned by the upset but also noted that the Owls are legit and deserve the same recognition as many of the top men's basketball programs in the country:
This is insane. All you hear about in Florida are the “Big 3” schools: Miami, Florida, Florida State.
You’ll always see those teams repped at school and in the aisles at Publix, but RARELY will you see love for the FAU Owls.
No way. #FAU in the Final Four! I'm an alum. Never thought I'd see this. Owls will never get Cinderella cred they deserve as a 9 seed. 1st year in program history winning a single game in the NCAA-T and they get THIS FAR!? Unbelievable. This is why sports is the national drug.
Went to FAU when we didn’t even dream of having football and basketball teams. To know the Owls are headed to the Final Four is surreal. Proud Owl, I am. https://t.co/jRyzvcMuTh
If you think FAU making the Final Four is bad for college basketball, you’re wrong.
This is what makes the tournament great. Plus, no matter what happens you can’t say they don’t belong there when they have the more wins than anybody else this season. #MarchMadness
Prior to this year's tournament, FAU hadn't reached the NCAA tournament since the 2001-02 season, when they fell in the first round. This is just the team's second-ever appearance in the tournament.
Dusty May, who was hired as the program's head coach ahead of the 2018-19 season, has led the Owls on a drastic turnaround since then, leading the team to its first-ever 30-plus win season this year.
The Owls will face either No. 5 San Diego State or No. 6 Creighton in the Final Four on April 1 with a berth in the NCAA championship game on the line.
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
FAU's Cinderella Run Has Twitter Hyped After Upsetting Tennessee
Mar 24, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 23: Bryan Greenlee #4 of the Florida Atlantic Owls attempts a three pointer during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls are not ready to let the clock strike midnight on their Cinderella run in the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament.
On Thursday, FAU upset the fourth-seeded Tennessee Vols 62-55 to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
It was a gritty game that saw the Owls overcome a five-point halftime deficit and outscore the Vols 40-28 in the second half. FAU put the clamps on an offensively challenged Tennessee team, limiting the SEC foe to 33.3 percent from the floor and 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guard Johnell Davis scored a game-high 15 points, 13 of which came in the second half, to lead the way for the Owls. Nicholas Boyd added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Michael Forrest chipped in 11 points off the bench.
Fans on Twitter were excited by the Owls' dramatic upset victory on Thursday night:
FAU to the Elite 8. Never thought I’d tweet that. But it *is* madness.
THIS IS A DEFENSIVE CLINIC BY FAU!!! Kids are playing hard!!! Zero paint touches by TENN!! Physical sound defense!!! Missing Zeigler to get something off the bounce..
Dear sportswriter friends. Don't call FAU a Cinderella. This is a legit team that was great all year long. UAB and North Texas also proving in NIT that top of the C-USA was pretty good.
FAU is one of those teams that entered the tournament peaking at the right time, and it showed against Tennessee. The Owls were not intimidated by the moment, and their magical run will have a good chance at continuing if they maintain that attitude.
Thursday's win sets up an Elite Eight matchup against No. 3 Kansas State this weekend. FAU will surely be ready to seize the opportunity with a Final Four berth on the line.
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
FDU Applauded by Fans for Tournament Run Despite Falling Short of Comeback vs. FAU
Mar 20, 2023
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 19: Demetre Roberts #2 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights drives to the basket against Bryan Greenlee #4 of the Florida Atlantic Owls during the second half in the second round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson's run in the NCAA tournament has come to an end.
The Knights fell to the No. 9 Florida Atlantic Owls 78-70 on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. FDU put up a valiant effort, mounting a second-half comeback after entering halftime down 32-25, but it wasn't enough as the Owls closed it out.
FAU got some clutch play down the stretch from sophomore guard Johnell Davis, who finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals. Sophomore guard Alijah Martin was also solid, notching 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Meanwhile, FDU was paced by senior guard Demetre Roberts, who finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Junior forward Sean Moore and junior guard Joe Munden Jr. also combined for 27 points in the loss.
While the Knights came up short, college basketball fans on Twitter applauded the team for its run in the NCAA tournament, which included an upset of No. 1 Purdue in the first round:
FAU to the Sweet 16! FDU did everything it could, nothing to hang their heads about.
FDU has nothing to be ashamed of. Beating a team ranked No. 1 in the nation and then falling in a tightly contested second-round contest should leave the Knights with their heads held high.
FAU, meanwhile, will take on No. 4 Tennessee in the Sweet 16 at Madison Square Garden.
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
CBB Fans Slam 'Brutal' Late Non-Call as Penny Hardaway, Memphis Fall to FAU in Upset
Mar 18, 2023
Florida Atlantic guard Nicholas Boyd (2) celebrates after defeating Memphis 66-65 in a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 9 Florida Atlantic defeated No. 8 Memphis 66-65 in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament Friday after one of the most frenetic finishes of March Madness thus far.
To set the scene, Memphis inbounded the ball with 19 seconds left and a 65-64 lead. Tigers guard Kendric Davis, who scored a game-high 16 points and gutted out a late right ankle injury, then threw the ball away to FAU's Brandon Weatherspoon as he tried to evade numerous Owls defenders and cross half court.
However, Memphis' Jayden Hardaway then gathered a loose ball off an apparent Johnell Davis turnover as he drove to the basket.
The Tigers attempted to call timeout, but referees called a tie-up after Owls players dove for the ball as well.
Memphis couldn't get a shot off in the final seconds, and the game was over.
If the referees granted the timeout, the Tigers would have taken the ball out with 5.5 seconds remaining. They would have gone to the free-throw line for one-and-one if they successfully inbounded the ball and got fouled.
The game wouldn't have been over at that moment, even if Memphis had made both hypothetical free throws to go up three.
Still, it's a bitter pill to swallow for a team that was in the driver's seat for much of the night but couldn't put FAU away.
The Owls deserve credit for coming back down the stretch and executing on their final possession.
The no-call on the timeout, though, got Twitter's attention.
I had FAU advancing so I’m happy for my bracket and what a clutch shot but man… that is a BRUTAL non call for the time-out for Memphis.
Want to get in on a Cinderella story at the ground floor? Now is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with some of the better small schools in the nation…
