First Opponent for FIU Men’s Basketball 2026-27 Season Revealed

The first opponent for FIU Men’s Basketball in the 2026-27 season has been revealed to be the Xavier Musketeers in an away game on December 12.

https://t.co/4EVOdxV9D9 pic.twitter.com/b78RUOftyk

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) July 22, 2026

Program History

Xavier 2025-26 Season

FIU Faces Former Coach

They are led by Richard Pitino, who is entering his second season with the program. Ironically, Pitino began his head coaching journey with the Panthers during the 2012-13 season. At the time, he inherited a roster with just six players from the previous season.

Pitino went to work recruiting players and created a juggernaut on defense. The Panthers went 18-14 that season (11-9 in the Sun Belt Conference) and finished eighth in the nation in steals.

FIU defeated Arkansas-Little Rock in the 2013 Sun Belt Tournament quarterfinals and Middle Tennessee in the semifinals. Unfortunately, the fourth-seeded Panthers fell short of a championship against Western Kentucky in the title game.

It was still a magical season for the Panthers because it was their first winning season since 1999-00 and their most wins since 1997-98. Pitino’s team also had the best conference record in program history.

A family affair in the @BIGEAST this weekend as @StJohnsBBall HC Rick Pitino faces his son, @XavierMBB HC Richard Pitino 🙌

Will he get win 900? pic.twitter.com/mYOGyLcmwl

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 21, 2026

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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