Paws Up Preview – FIU MBB vs UTEP

MIAMI, FL – Following a big 77-67 win over the New Mexico State Aggies, the Panthers look to win two in a row for the first time this season against a UTEP Miners team they haven’t been able to beat since 2019.

This season, the Miners have a 9-7 record but did not get off to a good start in the Conference USA slate, losing to New Mexico State by a final score of 63-55.

UTEP this season ranks as the fifth-best offense in Conference USA, but just like the Panthers, they are the second-worst rebounding team in the conference, with FIU ranked dead last.

The Panthers may have the edge because they are the better offensive rebounding team, but not by much as the Miners are just behind FIU in that category.

The Miners’ leading scorer this season has been senior guard Tae Hardy, who is averaging 14.7 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and is shooting 40.4% from the field.

Along with Hardy, senior guard Zid Powell and Otis Frazier III are both averaging over ten points per game.

Currently, the Miners rank third in field goal percentage, but are the second-worst three-point shooting team in the conference, as to where the Panthers rank third.

What will hurt the Panthers is the fact that FIU gives up the highest three-point and field goal percentage to where the Miners can defend well from beyond the arc, but do give up simple field goals, which is why they give up the fourth most in the conference.

For the Panthers, Dashon Gittens had himself a 17-point game night against the Aggies after the sophomore guard had a four-point game against Jacksonville State and a three-point game against Utah Tech.

If FIU can get that type of Dashon Gittens, the Panthers starting five can certainly thrive, especially early on in the game.

In the Panthers’ win against the Aggies, they hit a season-high 13 three-pointers, where they now rank third in Conference USA in three-point percentage.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at 6 pm at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

About Post Author

Kevin Barral

Hello, my name is Kevin Barral. I am currently covering FIU Football for Lemon City, but have been covering Miami Marlins baseball since the 2021 season with Fish Stripes and that has been my main forte so far in my young sports media career. I am excited to cover FIU Football this season and moving forward. I love to travel, play sports, and go out with my friends to Flanigans when not covering or writing.

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