Paws Up Preview – FIU MBB vs Western Kentucky

Date: Thursday, January 25th

Time: 8PM EST

Opponent: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (13-6)

Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky (Diddle Arena)

TV: ESPN+

Betting Line: N/A

The Panthers look to bounce back after a tough loss against the Liberty Flames as they continue their conference stint. FIU currently stands at a 2-2 record in C-USA, which puts them at sixth overall.

On Thursday, FIU is set to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers who have gotten off to a tough start in conference play, sitting at a 2-3 record at the moment.

WKU ranks as the best offense in Conference USA, second to last in defense, fourth in field goals, seventh in opponent field goal percentage, seventh in three-point percentage, and last in opponent three-point percentage (give up the least amount of three-pointers), first in rebounds and sixth in turnovers.

Although the Hilltoppers have gotten off to a tough start in conference play, they look to bounce back against an FIU team that is the worst rebounding team in the conference, gives up the most field goals and three-pointers, but forces the most turnovers in the conference.

For WKU, Don McHenry is averaging 14.7 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and is shooting 44.0% from the field this season. He is fifth in the conference in scoring. McHenry is also fifth in field goal percentage amongst Conference USA.

The leading rebounder for the Hilltoppers is guard Brandon Newman, with 6.2 total rebounds per game, but is averaging 10.5 points per game and 1.7 assists per game as well.

Javaunte Hawkins continues to be the heartbeat of the Panthers offense, as he leads Conference USA in three-point percentage and FIU in points per game.

Despite falling out of the top ten in scoring amongst Conference USA, Arturo Dean still leads the nation in steals per game and has been able to help out FIU on that side of the ball, even if he is being pressured more offensively.

A trend in Conference USA this season has been how teams have struggled on the road this season. FIU is currently 0-2 on the road this season in conference play and WKU is 0-3 on the road. The conference as a whole is 4-15 on the road.

For FIU, ever since coach Jeremy Ballard arrived, the Panthers have struggled on the road as they have a 5-30 overall record (including the Cayman Island Classic).

Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday, January 25th at 8 pm from Bowling Green, Kentucky. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.