Paws Up Preview – FIU Men’s Basketball vs Kennesaw State

MIAMI, FL – For the first time since November 9th, the FIU Panthers will return to the friendly confines of the Ocean Bank Convocation Center to face the Kennesaw State Owls.

FIU

After a home-opening loss to Tarleton State, the Panthers went on the road – literally – to play the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables.

They then went on a more conventional road trip to Texas to face Houston Christian for their first and only victory of the season, followed by a trip to the Cayman Islands Classic where they went 0-3 against Akron, Marshall, and Loyola Marymount.

FIU and Kennesaw State last played in 2019, with FIU winning 84-81. FIU is 3-0 against the Owls all-time.

Kennesaw State will have its hands full with FIU’s stingy defense. The Panthers are No. 2 in the nation with 20.14 turnovers forced per game and No. 3 with 12.9 steals per game. Sophomore guard Arturo Dean leads the nation with 24 steals.

Kennesaw State

The Owls (4-2) have navigated a tough schedule early on. Their only two losses were a 94-67 defeat at Florida State and an 85-84 loss to East Carolina on a half-court buzzer-beater.

Most of the Owls’ offense is centered around a heavy three-point attack. Their 32.3 three-point shot attempts per game is the fourth-most in the nation. As a team, their 29.4% three-point percentage is No. 282 in the country.

Sophomore guard Simeon Cottle leads the Owls offense with 15.7 points per game in his first six games. 16 of Cottle’s 34 field goals have come from behind the three-point line. As a team, the Owls shot 32.3 three-pointers per game, fourth-most in the nation.

The Owls rank in the top 10 nationally in fast break points (23) and rebounds per game (47.2).

Tip-off is at 6 pm and will be streamed on ESPN+. You can also follow @AlexKrutchikFOF on Twitter for updates.