Busy week includes new coaching hire, schedule release

By: Malcolm Shields / Staff Writer 

The complete 2011-2012 schedule for the Golden Panthers’ men’s basketball team was released on Sept. 13.

As reported during the summer by The Beacon, the Golden Panthers will begin their season participating in the NIT Season Tip-Off against George Mason on Nov. 14.

If FIU defeats George Mason, they will play the winner of the Virginia Tech – Monmouth game.

“It’s great for us being in the NIT playing against George Mason and the possibility of Virginia Tech next. We want that type of competition,” Head Coach Isiah Thomas said. “We try to make a very tough non-conference schedule to prepare us for the conference [schedule].”

Other notable non-conference games for FIU will be their home opener against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 26 and back-to-back games against the Maryland Terrapins from the ACC on Dec. 14, and the Atlantic-10 opponent, the Dayton Flyers on Dec. 17.

The Golden Panthers’ last non-conference game will be against Bowling Green at home on Dec. 22. “[Maryland] has a good program and a good coach and Dayton is always a tough opponent,” said Thomas.

“They have played extremely well the past couple of years. Bowling Green is up and coming also. I’m pretty excited about our out of conference schedule.”

The Golden Panthers are currently scheduled to appear in a minimum of three national broadcast games this season. Coach Thomas spoke about the importance the exposure on national television will have on the program.

“It’s big, especially for an up and coming program such as ours. Everyone wants to be on television. Everyone wants to be seen on television,” Thomas said. “The basketball team being on ESPN will also be huge for the program.”

Conference Play

FIU begins their 16th game at the Sun Belt Conference scheduled on Dec. 29 against Middle Tennessee on the road, followed by Western Kentucky.

The first four of six conference games for the Golden Panthers will be against teams who had records above .500 in conference play last season.

“Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky are two of the top four teams in the conference,” Thomas said. “They are two tough opponents and they always play well at home.”

FIU plays against the Eastern Division champions and in-state rival Florida Atlantic twice in 2012. The first matchup will be on Jan. 21 at home and again on Feb. 4 in Boca Raton.

The Golden Panthers played the Owls close in both games, as the margin of victory for the Owls in both games was less than two points per game.

“[FAU and FIU] has truly turned into a healthy rivalry. They beat us last year and we had them beat down there at FAU, and they came back,” Thomas said. “The games have been really close. They have been evenly played.”

FIU’s final four games of the season will include a two game road trip to Arkansas to face off against the Sun Belt Conference Tournament champion Arkansas-Little Rock on Feb. 16 and against the Western Division champion Arkansas State on Feb. 18.

The Golden Panthers’ final two home games will be against Troy on Feb. 23 and South Alabama on Feb. 25.

Adubato hired as an assistant coach

Coach Thomas also added another assistant coach to his staff when he hired Scott Adubato on Sept. 15.

Adubato has a combined 20 years of professional and collegiate basketball experience, which includes stops with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzles and college tenures at Seton Hall and Manhattan University.

“He coached under Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello [in Memphis] and Richie Adubato,” added Thomas. ”He got not only NBA experience on the bench, but college experience also.”

Update on Wright

In August, senior guard DeJuan Wright sustained a knee injury. Coach Thomas gave an update on the progress of Wright and his expectations on whether or not he will be ready for fall practice.

“We hope to have him back by the first day of practice. He’s been working out and diligently following his therapy,” Thomas said.

“Our trainers and our staff have been doing a great job with him. We expect to have him back by the opening day of practice.”