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By Chuck King

Florida Atlantic's basketball team took a huge step forward this past season by claiming the Sun Belt Conference's regular season title. Now it looks like the Owls will test themselves against some of the best teams in the nation next year.

FAUOwlAccess.com has learned that Kansas will likley join Florida on FAU's 2011-12 basketball schedule. The Jayhawks and Gators will comprise two of the three guarantee games FAU expects to play.

FAU has played Kansas once before, losing 87-49 in 2007. The Owls have lost all three games against the Gators, most recently falling 79-66 in a tighter-than-expected game this season.

There is still a possibility that the third game will be Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., but that game is less likely with the addition of a trip to Phog Allen Fieldhouse on the schedule. It is believed the Owls would like to play a team at a similar level to Mississippi State – an SEC school that the Owls beat on the road this season.

Kansas and Duke were No. 1 seeds in this year's NCAA tournament; Florida was a No.2 seed. If FAU doesn't play Duke in the coming year, there is still a strong possibility the schools could meet in 2012-13.

Remember, FAU assistant coach Mike Jarvis II was the director of player development there under Coach K a few years back.

For now, FAU basketball fans will have to make due with a trip up the turnpike and a flight to the wheat fields.