Andres Rodriguez | Staff Writer
The FIU Men’s Basketball team is back at home on Thursday Jan. 16, to face the New Mexico State Aggies in Conference USA play. The Panthers faced off against Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston in a tough two game stretch in conference away opponents over the last week. The Panthers would ultimately end up going 0-2 in both games, losing 81-64 against LA Tech and 81-74 against Sam Houston
This tough away game stretch put the Panthers on a 1-3 record in Conference USA play, and 7-10 overall record on the season. FIU currently sits in last place in the C-USA standings, going into their next game against the first place, and undefeated in C-USA play, New Mexico State Aggies.
Going into this match up, the Panthers are desperate to get back to winning ways to not fall behind in the conference standings. Having played four conference games, the Panthers have only been able to get a win against Western Kentucky. They now have to face the Aggies who are yet to lose against fellow CUSA teams.
The Aggies had a poor start to their season, going 4-6 in their first ten games, but have since then come all the way back. They are on a six game winning streak, including wins against LA Tech and Sam Houston, whom the Panthers just lost too.
If the Panthers want to get a big win and start climbing the standings, they need a good game from their top scorer, Junior Guard Jayden Brewer. Brewer has been the key to this FIU offense this season, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. In the games against LA Tech and Sam Houston, Brewer averaged 17.5 points along with two steals and rebounds.
However, Brewer alone isn’t the key to FIU’s worries, consistent performance from the rest of the roster is vital to a FIU win against the Aggies. Freshman Guard Ashton Williamson, who leads the team in assists, is a player who could break out and lead the team to victory alongside Brewer.
With Junior Center Vianney Salatchoum being out the last couple of games, the Panthers lack real center play, with senior forward Johnathan Aybar stepping in as the center. This proved to be a hole in their defense, being outrebounded by LA Tech in their loss.
Looking to bounce back after back to back losses, the FIU Panthers host the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday, Jan. 16 in Miami, Florida.
Tip off is set for 7 p.m at Ocean Bank Convocation Center and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.