FAU’s Alijah Martin torn for ‘disrespectful’ gesture in final seconds of win over FDU
The No. 9-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls are in the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history after their win over No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday night.
Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t the biggest talking point after the game.
Instead, it was the dunk attempt that Owls star guard Alijah Martin decided to make despite the Knights no longer looking to foul them. They accepted that their efforts weren’t enough with time running out in the 78-70 loss.
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Joe Munden Jr., #1 of the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, shoots the ball against Alijah Martin, #15 of the Florida Atlantic Owls, during the second half of the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Martin’s pinwheel attempt didn’t go through the hoop, nor did it sit well with the fans in the stands.
A large amount of boos rang out from the seats, as both teams began to march for the usual handshake. The unwritten rules of basketball state that layups or dunks made when teams admit defeat are unnecessary and frowned upon.
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Fans gave their part in the stands, and FDU players were also seen not shaking hands with Martin after the game. They made it a point to congratulate the rest of the Owls except him.
It also appeared that FAU head coach Dusty May had apologized to FDU’s Tobin Anderson for Martin’s actions at the buzzer.
Social media were also furious with his decision to go for the dunk.
“Really cool dunk miss by Alijah Martin of FAU!” David Cobb of CBS Sports tweeted sarcastically.
“The FAU should be eliminated from the tournament for this missed dunk,” added Tramel Raggs of The Washington Post. “The basketball gods won’t let this pass.”
It also appears that Martin decided not to attend the post-match press conference because he probably knew what questions were being asked of him.
We’ll see what the “basketball gods” have in store for Martin and the Owls, as they head to Madison Square Garden to take on the No. 4 seed Tennessee Vols in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
Florida Atlantic Owls No. 15 Alijah Martin celebrates a basket against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the first half of the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Martin finished the game with 14 points, but it was Johnell Davis of the Owls who dropped 29 points to lead FAU to victory over FDU.
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