Mens Basketball Rolling Into Conference Play

Devon Andrews was the C-USA player of the week last week. Photo courtesy of FIU Athletics

Jared Parker/Contributing Writer

15 games through the regular season, the men’s basketball team has started strong with an 11-4 record. In conference play the Panthers have only played two games with victories in both. They currently sit at second place in Conference USA standings, behind Louisiana Tech (11-3).

Last season FIU led the nation in forced turnovers and are top 15 this year. Before the season opener, head coach Jeremy Ballard expressed that he wanted his team to achieve defensive stops in other ways. The team met Ballard’s expectations, leading the nation in blocks per game with 7.1 and 107 total blocks.

Leading the team and the nation in blocks is Osasumwen Osaghae.  He is averaging a nation leading 4.5 blocks per game, the most in college basketball since NBA superstar Anthony Davis averaged 4.65 in 2011-12. Osaghae is also shooting 69.9% this season which is tied for fourth in the nation. Osaghae posts 12.9 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game and 0.9 steals per game, in addition to his eye-catching blocks.

Devon Andrews has met expectations this season, leading the team with 17.1 ppg. His team leading points per game are accompanied with 5.1 rpg and 1.4 spg.

The Panthers are also receiving key defensive contributions from Tevin Brewer, Antonio Daye Jr., and Trejon Jacob, averaging 2.2, 1.9, and 1.8 spg, respectively.

With the remainder of their schedule being conference games, FIU needs to continue to perform well at home, where they are 7-0. However, they will need improvement away from home, where they are 4-4.

If the Panthers want to come out on top of Conference USA, they will need to improve in free-throw shooting. Currently they shoot 65.9% from the line which will hurt them in close games if that poor mark remains.

Despite FIU’s ability to force turnovers, they have played sloppy basketball at times, leading to them averaging 16.2 turnovers per game. Like free throws, if Ballard cannot lead his team to average less turnovers, this will hurt them in close games.

If FIU continue to dominate defensively, shoot well, and make necessary improvements, their first C-USA championship could come this year along with a spot in the NCAA March Madness tournament.

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