Paws Up Preview – FIU Men’s Basketball vs FGCU

MIAMI, FL – FIU Panthers head coach Jeremy Ballard considers the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles to be one of FIU’s biggest non-conference rivals.

The two schools, separated by about 130 miles, have played every year since 2012 and 15 times since their first meeting in 2002.

On Wednesday, the Eagles will come to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami for a nationally televised edition of the cross-state rivalry.

 “I just couldn’t be more grateful for that,” said Ballard, speaking on the opportunity to play on CBS Sports Network. “Our players deserve this opportunity. Our university deserves this opportunity.”

The Panthers had won five straight contests against FGCU until the Eagles won last year’s game in Fort Myers, 74-65. FIU leads the overall series, 9-6.

Junior forward Mohamed Sanogo led all scorers with 23 points in last year’s matchup and shot 9-for-10 from the field.

This year, FIU will likely look to the hot hands of their backcourt in Javaunte Hawkins, Arturo Dean, and Dashon Gittens who all combined for 48 points in their 91-84 win against Kennesaw State on Sunday.

The Eagles (1-6) are off to their worst start since the 2019-20 season thanks to a five-game losing streak coming into Wednesday.

Forwards Zach Anderson and Keeshawn Kellman, and guard Isaiah Thompson, each average double-digit points per game, with Anderson shooting 43.5% from three.

This will be the second game played at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The FIU Women’s Basketball team is set to take on Georgia Southern University at 3pm.

The Panthers men’s basketball team will then begin at 7pm. Both teams will be wearing their “Vice” jerseys.