Liam Rooney / Staff Writer
The 2020-21 season was always going to be a battle for the FIU Men’s Basketball team due to the changes COVID-19 triggered on college basketball, but no one could have predicted just how much of a losing fight it would be for the Panthers.
This year marked FIU’s worst season since 2016-17, when the Panthers finished with a 7-24 overall record. This is the first time since 2016 that FIU was unable to reach double digit wins and the first time under head coach Jeremy Ballard.
Ballard’s third season as head coach of FIU’s Men’s Basketball program served to be the worst of his coaching career. In his first season Ballard earned a 20-14 record in 2018-2019, and a 19-13 record in 2019-20. Ballard and the Panthers likely came into this season with hopes to emulate the 19-13 season they had back in 2019-20.
Those hopes were misguided as FIU came nowhere near their success last season. They finished with an overall record of 9-17 and a dismal conference record of 2-15. The Panthers finished with the worst record conference record out of all 14 teams in Conference USA.
The Panthers were still invited to the Conference USA tournament, but FIU’s chances at a postseason renaissance were crushed after COVID-19 protocols within the Panthers program took them out of the C-USA tournament.
The Early Season Success
The first eight games for the Panthers would prove to be the best run of the season. FIU started out hot, rattling off four consecutive wins, including an impressive 96-76 victory against the Central Michigan Chippewas on December 1 2020.
FIU’s first defeat of the season was on December 12 with a 80-77 loss against the North Florida Ospreys. The Panthers won two of their next three games, with the only other loss being a 103-99 double overtime defeat against the Georgia Southern Eagles on December 19.
Starting the first eight games with six wins and two losses, this was the peak for the Panthers. FIU scored an average of 88.6 points per game during the first eight games, a season high. The end of 2020 saw the Panthers have a 6-2 record, looking to continue the success for the rest of the season ahead of them in 2021.
Conference Play Begins & So Do The Losses
Returning from winter break, FIU finally started Conference USA play. Opening with a split series with the Old Dominion Monarchs, the Panthers would then play the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on January 8th and 9th. The victory against MT on the 8th marked the second and last conference win for FIU.
The January 9th 67-56 loss against the Blue Raiders would mark the start of a disastrous 14-game C-USA losing streak. Losing was the only consistent factor for FIU’s season from this point on, as no game plan seemed good enough for them to claim victory.
There was no loss that stood out more than the January 15th 107-63 blowout loss against the Florida Atlantic Owls. FIU shot 26% from the field in the first half, and scored only 23 points. This was the lowest moment of the season for the Panthers.
FIU found victory one last time in a non conference matchup against the Florida Memorial Lions. The 90-74 win on February 1st would be the only success the Panthers had in their final 15 games of the season.
What Went Wrong
Scoring became an issue for FIU after their win against the Carver Cougars on December 21. The Panthers were averaging 88.6 points per game, but the remainder of the season saw a drop off in points per game in each matchup. FIU finished 2021 averaging 73.6 points per game, 15 points less than their season high.
The lack of efficiency scoring the ball was FIU’s downfall. Shooting 66 percent from the free throw line, the Panthers ranked 13 out of the 14 teams in C-USA in free throw percentage. Things weren’t much better in open play as FIU ranked 12th with their 43 percent field goal conversion rate. The inability to capitalize on free points at the line and streaky shooting contributed to the Panthers losing streak.
It goes without saying that if FIU couldn’t keep their opponent off the scoreboard, they wouldn’t find much success. Defensively, the Panthers had the worst scoring defense in all of the conference. FIU allowed opponents to score an average of 76.35 points per game, three more points than they averaged in scoring per game.
The Key Figures
Guard Antonio Daye, Jr ranked 13th in the Nation in steal per game. Photo by FIU athletics
After losing their key trio of center Osasumwen Osaghae, and guards Trejon Jacob, Devon Andrews the previous season, FIU looked to this year’s roster to produce a crop of fresh players with the same level of production. They got a breakout season for guard Antonio Daye, Jr, and solid seasons for forwards Radshad Davis and Eric Lovett.
Guard Eric Lovett started every game he played this season. Photo by FIU athletics.
Daye led the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game and provided the second most assists with 103. Daye contributed heavily defensively, ranking 13th in the nation and 2nd in C-USA with 2.3 steals per game. Despite his play this season Daye was not selected for any conference or national awards.
Forward Radshad Davis led FIU in rebounding with 6.4 rebounds per game. Photo by FIU athletics.
Davis and Lovett both joined Daye in averaging double figures in points, with Davis scoring 13.1 and Lovett with 10.5. Someone who found defensive success this season was center Dimon Carrigan. Carrigan ranked 18th in the nation and 2nd in C-USA with 2.5 blocks per game.
Center Dimon Carrigan ranked 18th in the nation in blocks per game. Photo by FIU athletics
What’s Next?
With the disappointment of this season behind FIU, it’s time to focus on the future and rebuilding the program. Numerous roster changes are going to take place due to transfers and players graduating.
A high profile name that will be on his way out of FIU is Daye, who is entering the transfer portal to play his senior season elsewhere. Daye has yet to announce where he will play his senior season. Losing such a prolific player will force the Panthers to adapt and attempt to replace their top scorer next season.
FIU will also lose Carrigan. He announced he will be transferring to another school for his final year of NCAA eligibility. Like Daye, Carrigan has not yet announced where he will be suiting up next season. The loss of Carrigan leaves a hole on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers as he was one of FIU’s top defenders.
Senior guards Isaiah Banks and Lovett are set to graduate this semester, however they still are eligible to return for next year’s season. NCAA rule changes due to COVID-19 grants seniors an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 cancellations in 2020. It remains to be seen if Banks and Lovett will return to FIU for a final season.
The Panthers will have to look at the transfer portal and their recruitment in an attempt to retool the roster. It’ll be interesting to see how the future unfolds for FIU, as they will look to forget and move on to greener pastures.
The FIU men’s basketball team declined an interview request by PantherNOW.
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