FAU basketball vs Northwestern live score, updates, highlights from 2024 March Madness game

The second day of March Madness 2024 tips off with Florida Atlantic vs. Northwestern from Brooklyn.

No. 8 seed FAU and No. 9 seed Northwestern have similar NCAA Tournament histories. Both are making their third appearance ever and playing in back-to-back tournaments for the first time. However, while the Wildcats exited in the second round last season, the Owls made a surprise run all the way to the Final Four.

Coach Dusty May returns much of last year's team, including all five starters. Expect the guards to be the showcase between FAU's Johnell Davis and Northwestern's Boo Buie, both teams' leaders in scoring and leaders on the court. The winner of FAU-Northwestern faces the winner of No. 1 seed UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson on Sunday afternoon.

MORE: Watch FAU basketball vs. Northwestern in March Madness on Fubo (free trial)

FAU-Northwestern live score updates in NCAA first round

Turnover issues continue into second half

Dusty May, who is known for consistently making the right halftime adjustments, is forced to watch as his Owls continue to turn the ball over after a stagnant first half.

In the first four minutes of the second half, FAU has committed four turnovers while attempting just three shots. Northwestern has taken advantage, and holds a 30-27 advantage with 15:38 left to play. The Owls sit at 16 turnovers on the game.

Turnovers plaguing FAU in worst first half scoring effort of season

The Owls were held to 20 points in the first half, and finished the opening half with more turnovers (12) than made field goals (7)

But Northwestern is struggling in their own right, and their 19 points are the lowest in a half for the Wildcats as well. They finish the half 7-of-33 from from the floor an 2-of-12 from behind the arc.

FAU is just 7-of-21 from the field and 1-of-9 from deep. Johnell Davis' baseline jumper at the buzzer put the Owls ahead 20-19 headed into the locker room. Davis leads FAU with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting with three rebounds, three turnovers, and two steals.

Owls' jitters continue

Florida Atlantic is struggling to find rhythm in the first half. They've managed just three made field goals through 13 minutes while committing six turnovers.

Northwestern is sending swarming doubles to the block, and it's give the Owls issues. Luckily for FAU, the Wildcats aren't haven't gotten going yet either.

Northwestern is 5-of-18 from the floor and 1-of-8 from deep with four turnovers of their own. The used a brief 6-0 run to jump out to a 12-11 lead with just over seven minutes to play.

Slow start for both squads

Northwestern started the game going nearly five minutes without a field goal until Boo Buie's triple, and sits at 1-for-5 from the field.

The Owls are on the same pace, committing three turnovers in the first five minutes while also going 1-for-5 from the floor and 0-for-3 from three-point land.

The game is tied at 4-4 at the first media timeout.

What channel is FAU vs. Northwestern on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV: CBS

• Streaming: March Madness Live (TV provider log-in required) | Fubo (free trial)

FAU will tip off vs. Northwestern on CBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers. The announcers are Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson.

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's basketball tournament bracket contests for a chance at $1 million prize.

FAU vs. Northwestern start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 12:15 p.m. ET

• TV info: CBS (check local listings)

• Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

FAU vs. Northwestern preview

FAU: The Owls (25-8) boast one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation, led by junior guard Johnell Davis, the American Athletic Conference's co-player of the year, and with 7-foot-1 center Vladislav Goldin cleaning up the glass.

Northwestern: The Wildcats (21-11) funnel their offense through Big Ten first-team point guard Boo Buie, while also featuring defensive standout guard Brooks Barnhizer. They are coached by Chris Collins.

FAU-Northwestern odds, betting line, spread

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, March 21.

• Spread: FAU (-3.5)

• Over/under: 142.5 points

• Moneyline: Northwestern +135, FAU -165

FAU vs. Northwestern prediction, game picks

FAU 74, Northwestern 66: The Owls have proven all year that they can regroup well after a tough loss. Combine that with their postseason pedigree, and the Wildcats have a tall task ahead of them in the first round.

FAU vs. Northwestern injury updates

FAU: Forward Tre Carroll injured his arm and is out indefinitely.

Northwestern: Center Matthew Nicholson injured his leg and is out indefinitely. Guard Ty Berry injured his knee in February and is out for the season. Guard Parker Strauss has had an undisclosed injury since January and is out indefinitely.

FAU vs. Northwestern stats

FAU

• PPG: 82.5

• PPG allowed: 73.3

• FG% 48.1%

• 3PT%: 35.6%

• KenPom ranking: 38

NORTHWESTERN

• PPG: 73.7

• PPG allowed: 69.0

• FG% 45.9%

• 3PT%: 39.4%

• KenPom ranking: 43

FAU vs. Northwesternchampionship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

FAU: +10,000

Northwestern: N/A

FAU basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of FAU's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

Northwestern basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of Northwestern's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FAU vs Northwestern live score, updates: 2024 NCAA Tournament