Florida Atlantic Basketball is back in the postseason baby! This time in the NIT. Despite winning the Sun Belt regular season title, failure to win the conference tournament has kept them from entering the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Owls were in the NCAA bracket, they lost to #2 Alabama in 2002.

At least they're in the NIT.

This will be their first visit to the NIT and they to showcase their debut against one of their South Florida Rivals, the Miami Hurricanes.

This will be their only meeting of the season. The last time they played was at last season's Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla, when Miami routed FAU by the score of 87-69. In that game, three Miami players finished in double figures — including 13 points from Durand Scott, while Reggie Johnson pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. 

Now they face off in Coral Gables for the first time in the postseason. A showdown that FAU coach Mike Jarvis looks forward to playing, especially because his team doesn't need to get on a plane. 

"It's a great opportunity to play a good opponent that we have played before, without having to get on a plane to do it," said Florida Atlantic head men's basketball coach Mike Jarvis.

Miami has the edge in this matchup. The Hurricanes lead the all-time series, 19-1, over the Owls and have a history of being very dominant against non conference teams. In their beautiful Bank United Arena in the City Beautiful, the Hurricanes have won 20 straight non conference home games. Despite all that, Miami will face arguably Florida Atlantic's strongest squad.

Fans can view the game on espn3.com. If Miami wins, they will host #3 seed Missouri State in the second round of the NIT. If Florida Atlantic wins, they will travel to Missouri State.