In a surprising turn of events, the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) men's basketball team, a Final Four contender last season, suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Bryant University. The Bulldogs emerged as the underdogs, snapping FAU's 19-game home winning streak and causing the Owls to plummet in the Top 25 And 1 rankings.

FAU had an impressive record last season, finishing with a remarkable 35-4 tally after playing 39 games. Their consistency was evident as they never once lost to a team ranked lower than 122nd at KenPom.com, despite facing lower-ranked opponents 21 times in their schedule.

However, on Saturday night, FAU's reliability seemed to vanish as Bryant executed a remarkable upset. The final score stood at 61-52, leaving the Owls stunned on their home court. This loss marks the biggest upset suffered by any ranked team this season.

Bryant University, ranked 275th at KenPom, entered the match with a 1-3 record, including losses to Boston University and Manhattan. Despite being considered heavy favorites with a 22.5-point spread, FAU failed to deliver, allowing Bryant to secure a well-deserved victory.

FAU head coach Dusty May acknowledged the determination and impressive performance displayed by Bryant, giving credit to the Bulldogs for their execution during the game. However, it was evident that the Owls fell short of their own expectations.

The second half proved to be FAU's downfall as they were outscored 35-23 by their opponents. Remarkably, this loss marks the third time in the early stages of the season that a preseason top-15 team has fallen to an unranked mid-major opponent. In these upsets, a common pattern has emerged - poor shooting from the perimeter. FAU's shooting woes from beyond the arc, converting only 5-of-30 attempts (16.7%), contributed significantly to their defeat.

Considering the circumstances, and to avoid overreacting to one disappointing outing, FAU has only dropped 10 spots in the Top 25 And 1 rankings, now sitting at No. 15. The upcoming ESPN Events Invitational will provide an opportunity for FAU to prove if their loss to Bryant was an anomaly or a more significant issue. The tournament, taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, will bring together eight teams, including powerhouses like Butler, Texas A&M, and Iowa State.

As FAU prepares to face tough competition in the tournament, their performance will determine whether they can rebound from their stunning defeat or if they will continue to slide in the rankings. The bracket sets up potential matchups with Texas A&M (ranked 11th) and Iowa State (ranked 24th) in the coming days. A favorable outcome against these teams would help FAU mitigate the impact of their loss and strengthen their chances for an at-large bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The road ahead for FAU is crucial as they navigate a competitive American Athletic Conference. Currently, only FAU and Memphis are ranked in the top 85 at KenPom, emphasizing the need for the Owls to secure quality victories and avoid further losses that could hinder their chances of securing an at-large bid.

While the upset loss to Bryant was a setback for FAU, they still have the opportunity to bounce back and regain their position among college basketball's elite.