FIU men’s basketball preview: Expectations are high internally for the Panthers

Building a college basketball program in the transfer-portal era can often feel like constructing a sand castle too close to the shore.

Just when the project starts taking shape, along comes a strong rush of water -- or personnel losses – to ruin things.

The FIU men’s basketball team went 15-17 last season. Since then, they have lost four of their top five scorers.

Jeremy Ballard, who is starting his fifth season as FIU’s men’s coach, will rely heavily on 6-4 shooting guard Denver Jones, the Panthers’ leading returning scorer at 12.5 points per game.

“Expectations outside our locker room are low,” Ballard said. “But my expectations are high.

“We lost guys (from last season) who are good players whom we care deeply about, but I really like the tangible and intangible makeup of the players we brought in.”

Last season, Ballard had his biggest and tallest team. The squad had a 15-12 record before closing the season on a five-game losing streak.

After the season, Ballard made the decision to go back to his identity -- a smaller team that plays as fast as any squad in the nation. Ballad signed seven players, including three transfers, whom he hopes can achieve that goal.

“We’re pressing and trapping on every possession,” Ballard said. “This is my fastest and most athletic team, and it could be my deepest team, too. We’re going to be disruptive.”

It’s possible FIU’s three transfers could become starters: 6-4 guards Austin Williams and John Williams (no relation) and 6-5, 250-pound forward Nick Guadarrama.

Austin Williams was a first-team All-America East guard at Hartford. However, he is coming off surgery. He is shooting in practice, but he’s not fully cleared to play yet.

John Williams averaged 24.4 points as a Division II All-American; and Guadarrama was a three-time All-America East player at New Hampshire.

“Nick has fantastic leadership ability,” Ballard said. ”He’s a versatile big guy who can score in the paint, and he’s arguably our best passer. We played against him his sophomore year, and he got a double-double (points and rebounds).”

It’s clear FIU plans to take advantage of Guadarrama’s imposing size.

“I play quite physical,” he said, “and I also have some finesse. I can spread the floor, handle the ball. I’m a playmaker as well.”

Guadarrama said FIU’s top perimeter shooters are Jones, 5-11 guard Javaunte Hawkins and 6-4 guard Petar Krivokapic.

Up front, FIU has Seth Pinkney, a 7-1 fourth-year center. He started all 32 FIU games last season, averaging 4.0 points and 4.2 rebounds. He shot 63.3 percent from the field – almost exclusively at close range. But he shot just 43.3 percent from the foul line.

Ballard has also brought in four freshmen, including Miami point guard Arturo Dean, who played in Connecticut for Putnam Science last season.

Dean teamed with another FIU recruit – 6-3 guard Dashon Gittens – to lead Putnam to a 38-0 record.

“They won a prep school national championship,” Ballard said. “They bring rare chemistry and a winning mentality.”

In addition, FIU returners Dante Wilcox and Mohamed Sanogo are highly athletic forwards who are set to provide frontcourt depth.

The Panthers, who will start their season with a home game against Houston Christian on Nov. 7, also have two other freshmen on their roster: 6-6 wing Jayden Brewer and 7-footer Darryon Prescott.