Jonathan Mayer / Contributing Writer
The FIU men’s basketball team will play against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this weekend in Bowling Green, Kentucky for their final season doubleheader.
Game one will be on Sunday, February 28th at 3 p.m., while game two will be played on Monday, March 1st at 1 p.m.. Both games can be watched on ESPN+.
FIU is coming off a shortened weekend series at home against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, where they lost the first game by a score 85-72. The Eagles cancelled the second game due to COVID-19 concerns on their roster.
The Panthers have an overall record of 9-15, and a 2-13 Conference USA record. They are ranked last out of the seven teams in the C-USA Eastern Division, and are eliminated from a chance to play in the C-USA Championship.
Their last win was on Monday, Feb. 1st against the Florida Memorial Lions, a non-conference opponent. Against Conference USA teams, FIU is riding a 12-game losing streak which began on January 9th against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
In contrast, WKU is the overall best team in C-USA. They have an overall record of 15-4, which is the best record out of all 14 teams in the conference. They’re currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Division
Historically, FIU has struggled against Western Kentucky with an overall record of 5-25 dating since 2003. The Panthers have lost their last two meetings against the Hilltoppers, including an 85-91 loss back on March 7th, 2020. Their last win in the series was on January 7th, 2016.
Although the Panthers have struggled winning games, their offense has been solid and is ranked sixth in C-USA averaging 74.9 points per game. Guards Eric Lovett and Forward Radshad Davis have averaged 11.2 and 12.5 points per game, respectively.
The Panthers defense shoulders much of the blame for their record. They rank dead last in scoring defense in the conference giving up 76 points per game to opponents.
Western Kentucky enters this game with the fifth ranked offense in C-USA, averaging 75 points per game. They are led by center Charles Bassey, who ranks fifth in scoring among all C-USA players by averaging 18 points per game. WKU also ranks third in rebounding with Bassey leading the team with 11 rebounds per game.
The Hilltoppers, however, only have the eighth best defense in C-USA. FIU should look to be aggressive on offense early in the ballgame. If their defense can manage to hold Western Kentucky from the scoreboard, then the Panthers have an opportunity to snap their losing streak and end the season on a high note.
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