Here are some key matchups in January that await the FIU Panthers men’s basketball team
FIU’s men’s basketball team — which had its six-game win streak snapped Saturday night with an 89-62 loss at the Minnesota Gophers — ended its non-conference schedule in solid shape with a 9-4 record.
Three of those four losses were on the road against teams from “Power Five” conferences: Mississippi State, North Carolina State and Minnesota. The other loss was by three points on a neutral court against UNC Wilmington.
Here’s a look at some key dates for the rest of FIU’s season:
▪ Thursday vs. Texas-El Paso: FIU opens its Conference USA schedule at home against a team that went 0-13 on the road last season and is 0-3 on the road in this campaign. But the Miners are 9-4 overall and much improved with the addition of proven transfers from Fresno State, San Francisco and Duquesne.
▪ Saturday vs. Texas-San Antonio: The Roadrunners play at a frenetic pace and boast an outstanding backcourt. Jhivvan Jackson, a 6-foot junior and a Puerto Rican native, is second in the nation in scoring (26.2). He averaged 22.9 points last season. Keaton Wallace, a 6-3 junior who averaged 20.2 points last season, is coming off a 30-point game.
▪ Jan. 18 vs. Middle Tennessee: This is the 25th anniversary of the only FIU men’s basketball team to make it to the NCAA Tournament. FIU will honor that team during this game.
▪ Jan. 25 at Charlotte: The 49ers, under second-year head coach Ron Sanchez, brought in the league’s top recruiting class. Point guard Jahmir Young of famed DeMatha High is the league’s most touted freshman.
▪ Jan. 30 vs. Marshall: The Thundering Herd boast the most entertaining player in the league in 6-5 sophomore guard Taevion Kinsey, who shot 59 percent from the floor as a freshman thanks to numerous highlight-reel dunks. The Herd plays a fast pace under coach Dan D’Antoni, younger brother of Mike D’Antoni of the Houston Rockets.
▪ Feb. 1 vs. Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers were favored to win the conference, but that’s no longer the case now that 6-11, 245-pound sophomore center Charles Bassey is out for the season. He had been the third-ranked collegiate player in the nation.
▪ Feb 5 vs. FAU and Feb. 8 at FAU: The rivals split two games last season, with each school winning on the road. The Owls are coming off their first winning season since 2011.
▪ March 11-14, Conference USA Tournament in Frisco, Texas: Three different teams have won this tournament the past three years. FIU has never won this crown that comes along with an automatic entry into the NCAA Tournament.
C-USA is ranked 14th among the nation’s top leagues and is projected to be a one-bid conference this season. In other words, win the league tournament, and you’re in … fall short, and you’re likely out.
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU’s starting right tackle, Devontay Taylor, has transferred to Florida State. He had started 25 of FIU’s previous 26 games.
▪ FIU’s standout kicker Jose Borregales has also entered the transfer portal, with rumors he could enroll at Miami. He scored 100 points this season, making 21-of-29 field goals.
▪ Three FIU backups also entered the transfer portal: tight end Ivan Thomas, defensive back Deshaun Davis and linebacker Ni’Kendrick Carter. They have yet to sign elsewhere.