2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament - March 3-6

No. 10 FIU (8-20, 5-11 SBC) vs. No. 7 WKU (11-18, 7-9 SBC)
March 3, 2011 - 9:30 p.m. ET - Summit Arena (6,000)
Hot Springs, Ark.

Teams - FIU Panthers (8-20 overall, 1-2 neutral); WKU Hilltoppers (11-18 overall, 0-3 neutral)
Sun Belt Tournament Record             7-12
                First Round            5-5
                Quarterfinals          2-5
                Semifinals              0-2
                Championship      N/A
Possible Quarterfinal Game - Should FIU defeat WKU, the Panthers will take on UALR on Sunday, March 4, at 9:30 p.m. ET
Television - None
Radio - None
Live Video Streaming - www.sunbeltsports.org
Live Stats - www.sunbeltsports.org
Tickets - 501-620-5003
Records - FIU enters Saturday's contest with an 8-20 record following an 81-74 win over South Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 25. WKU comes into Saturday's game with an 11-18 record following a 73-67 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Rankings - Neither FIU nor WKU are ranked in this week's national polls. FIU enters this year's tournament as the No. 10 seed, while WKU is the No. 7 seed. 
FIU Head Coach Isiah Thomas - Coach Thomas (Indiana '87) enters Saturday's contest with a career record of 26-64 (.289 - third season). Coach Thomas is 1-5 all-time versus the Pioneers.
WKU Head Coach Ray Harper - Coach Harper (Kentucky Wesleyan '85) enters Saturday's contest with a career record of 6-7 (.461 - first season). Coach Harper is 1-0 all-time versus FIU.
Series History - Saturday will mark the 33rd meeting all-time between the two teams. The Hilltoppers hold a 27-4 edge in the series history (27-5 actual on-court record; FIU vacated one game due to NCAA sanctions). The last meeting between the two squads took place earlier this season as WKU downed FIU, 61-51, on Jan. 28 in Miami, Fla.
Officials - Announced on game day

The 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament is Here
The FIU men's basketball team will take on the WKU Hilltoppers in the first round of the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Saturday, March 3. Game time is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET. FIU is coming off an 81-74 win over South Alabama to close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Panthers enter this year's tournament, averaging 63.3 points-per-game (No. 11 in the conference) on 41.7 percent shooting from the floor (No. 7 in the conference). FIU has converted 33.7 percent of its shots from beyond the arc (No. 7 in the conference) and 72.2 percent of its shots from the free-throw line (No. 2 in the conference). The Panthers are allowing 67.2 points-per-game as the opposition is shooting 44.0 percent from the field.

Leading the team and the conference in scoring is senior DeJuan Wright, who comes into this week's action averaging 16.4 points-per-game. Wright is coming off his first 30-point game, scoring 35 points versus the Jaguars. The 35 points scored by the Detroit, Mich., native were the second-most scored in a single game by a Panther and the most that any FIU player has scored at home in the history of U.S. Century Bank Arena. Wright also leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.7 boards-per-game (No. 3 in the conference). Wright posted two double-doubles this past week and has now tallied six on the year. Senior Jeremy Allen is second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points-per-game (No. 7 in the conference), following a 21-point outing on Saturday. Allen leads the conference and ranks No. 4 in the nation is steals-per-game (2.7). Allen has notched 76 steals this season; good for No. 2 all-time in the FIU record books for steals in a season. Sophomore Phil Taylor rounds out the team's leading scorers, averaging 13.8 points-per-game (No. 8 in the conference).

All three players earned all-conference honors for their play this season. Wright earned Second-Team All-SBC accolades, while Allen and Taylor were each named to the third team.

Head Coach Isiah Thomas comes into the contest with a 26-64 record and holds a 1-5 record all-time versus WKU, as well as a 1-2 record all-time in the SBC Tournament.

A Look at WKU
The WKU Hilltoppers (11-18, 7-9 SBC) enters the tournament having won two-straight games to end the regular season, including a 73-67 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Hilltoppers comes into Saturday's game averaging 64.5 points-per-game on 39.4 percent shooting from the floor. The opposition is averaging 68.4 points-per-game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field.

Leading WKU in scoring is Derrick Gordon, who comes into this weekend's contest averaging 11.7 points-per-game. Gordon also leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.3 boards-per-contest.

The Hilltoppers are coached by Head Coach Ray Harper (Kentucky Wesleyan '85), who enters Saturday's contest with a career record of 6-7 (.461 - first season). Coach Harper holds a 1-0 record versus the Panthers.

FIU - WKU Series History
Saturday's game between FIU and WKU will mark the 33rd meeting all-time between the two teams. 
            -  WKU holds a 27-4 edge in the series history (27-5 actual on-court record; FIU vacated one game due to NCAA sanctions).
            -  The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 61-51 win for the Hilltoppers on Jan. 28, 2012 in Miami, Fla.
            -  FIU and WKU have squared off four times in the SBC Tournament (WKU leads 4-0).
            -  FIU holds a 0-1 record all-time versus the Hilltoppers in Hot Springs.
            -  WKU has won seven of the last eight meetings.
            -  Head Coach Isiah Thomas will be looking to improve his record to 2-5 all-time versus WKU

An FIU Victory Would.... 
            -  Improve FIU's record to 9-20.
            -  Improve FIU's Sun Belt Conference Tournament record to 8-12.
            -  Advance FIU to the SBC Quarterfinals for the second-straight season.
            -  Improve the Panthers' record to 5-27 (6-27 actual on-court) all-time versus WKU.
            -  Improve FIU's record at neutral sites to 2-2 this season.
            -  Improve FIU's record to 6-5 all-time in the first round of the SBC Tournament.
            -  Give FIU its first-ever tournament victory over WKU (0-4 all-time).
           -  Give FIU a record of 1-0 in the month of March this season.
            -  Give Head Coach Isiah Thomas his 27th-career win.
            -  Give FIU its 359th win (actual on-court record).
            -  Give FIU its 275th Division I win (actual on-court record).

A Look at UALR
The UALR Trojans (15-15, 12-4 SBC) come into this year's tournament as the West Division Champions. The Trojans have won three of their last four, including a 62-60 win over Arkansas State on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Trojans come into the tournament averaging 63.7 points-per-game on 40.6 percent shooting from the floor. UALR is allowing 64.1 points-per-game as the opposition is shooting 42.1 percent from the floor.

Leading the Trojans offensively is D'Andre Williams, who is averaging 13.0 points-per-game. Also scoring in double-figures are Will Neighbors (10.8 ppg) and Chuck Guy (10.3 ppg).

The Trojans are coached by Head Coach Steve Shields (Baylor '88), who enters Saturday's contest with a career record of 147-127 (.436 - ninth season). Coach Shields holds a 9-5 record versus the Panthers.

FIU - UALR Series History
Sunday's potential game between FIU and UALR would mark the 25th meeting all-time between the two teams. 
            -  UALR holds a 16-5 edge in the series history (16-8 actual on-court record; FIU vacated three games due to NCAA sanctions).
            -  The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 78-64 win for the Trojans on Feb. 16, 2012 in Little Rock, Ark.
            -  FIU has met UALR once in the SBC Tournament with the Trojans holding a 1-0 lead in the series.
            -  FIU has never faced the Trojans in Hot Springs.
            -  UALR has won two-straight over the Panthers
            -  Head Coach Isiah Thomas will be looking to improve his record to 2-2 all-time versus UALR.

FIU - The Numbers Game
            -  FIU is shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 33.7 percent from 3-point range.
            -  The Panthers are averaging 63.3 points-per-game (No. 11 in the conference).
            -  From the free-throw line, FIU is shooting 72.2 percent (No. 2 in the conference).
            -  The 2011-2012 season marks the 31st year of FIU basketball
            -  The Panthers have hit at least one 3-pointer in 112-consecutive games.
            -  FIU is averaging 7.6 steals-per-game - No. 1 in the conference.
            -  Sophomore Phil Taylor is seventh in the Sun Belt Conference in assists-per-game (3.1).
            -  Senior Jeremy Allen has registered 76 steals this season (2.7 spg - No. 1 in the conference and No. 4 nationally).
            -  Senior DeJuan Wright leads the conference in scoring (16.4 ppg).
            -  Taylor ranks No. 8 in scoring (13.8 ppg) and Allen rank No. 7 in scoring (14.2 ppg) in the conference.
            -  In rebounding, sophomore Dominique Ferguson ranks No. 7 in the conference (6.3 rpg), while Wright ranks No. 3 (7.7 rpg).
            -  Junior Cameron Bell set the school record for consecutive free throws made, draining his 24th-straight on Thursday, Feb. 16.
            -  Wright scored 35 points versus South Alabama (Feb. 25) - the second-most points scored in a single game by a Panther in FIU history.
            -  The FIU roster is comprised of student-athletes from seven different states and two countries.
            -  FIU's tallest player is 7-foot-0 (Gilles Dierickx), while its shortest player is 5-foot-9 (Deric Hill).

Last Time Out
Senior DeJuan Wright scored more points than any other Panther in U.S. Century Bank Arena history, pouring in a career-high 35 points to help lead the FIU men's basketball team (8-20, 5-11 SBC) to an 81-74 win over South Alabama (16-11, 8-8 SBC) on Saturday, Feb. 23.

On a night in which seniors Wright and Jeremy Allen were honored, the pair form Detroit, Mich., combined for 56 points and 18 rebounds. Allen posted 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting (4-of-8 from beyond the arc), while registering two steals and five rebounds.  It marked the 12th-career, 20-point outing for Allen.

Wright notched his 10th-career, double-double, grabbing 13 rebounds to go along with his 35 points. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 9-of-18 from the floor and also set a school record for free-throws made (16) and attempted (19).

Junior Brandon Moore grabbed nine rebounds, scored eight points and had a team-high four blocked shots.  The four blocks moved the New Orleans, La., native up the FIU career blocked shots list; tied for No. 7 with teammate Dominique Ferguson (59). 

Freshman Deric Hill set a career mark in assists, registering nine dimes. The Miami, Fla., native also recorded a team-high three steals.

Leading by as many as 14 points, FIU took a 19-18 lead with 8:38 left in the first half, following a jump shot by Hill which gave the Panthers a lead they would never relinquish.

The Panthers finished the night shooting 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the floor and 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from 3-point range.  FIU converted 25-of-31 free-throw attempts (80.6 percent), including 13-of-17 in the second half.

South Alabama, which shot 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from the floor and 25.0 percent (4-of-16) from 3-point land, was led by Augustine Rubit, who scored 25 points and tallied a game-high 14 rebounds. Also scoring in double-figures for the Jaguars were Mychal Ammons (12 points) and Freddie Goldstein (10 points).

The Jaguars held a 39-37 advantage on the boards and a 44-32 edge in points-in-the-paint. FIU forced 12 South Alabama turnovers, resulting in 13 points for the Panthers.

The win snapped a five-game losing skid and a nine-game, home-losing streak for FIU.

Three Panthers Earn All-Sun Belt Conference Honors
Seniors Jeremy Allen and DeJuan Wright along with sophomore Phil Taylor have been recognized by the Sun Belt Conference, earning all-conference honors for the 2011-2012 season, as announced by the league office on Wednesday, Feb. 29. Wright was named second-team all-conference, while Allen and Taylor were tabbed to the third team.

Wright, who leads the conference in scoring, averaging 16.4 points-per-game, finished the regular season with six double-doubles and five games of 20-or-more points. Most recently, he notched a career-high 35 points versus South Alabama (Feb. 25, 2012), en route to the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honor (Feb. 27, 2012). His 35-point outing proved to be the second-most points scored in a single game by an FIU player in the program's history. The Detroit, Mich., native leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.7 boards-per-contest (No. 3 in the conference), having notched 10-or-more rebounds in seven games.   

Allen finished the 2011-2012 regular season averaging 14.2 points-per-game (No. 7 in the conference). The Detroit, Mich., native posted nine games of 20-or-more points, including a career-best 29 points versus Denver on Feb. 11. He is currently leading the conference and ranks No. 4 in the nation in steals-per-game (2.7). Allen has played in and started every game for the Panthers this season, shooting 41.1 percent from the floor and 85.1 percent from the free-throw line (No. 2 in the conference).

Taylor averaged 13.8 points-per-game during the regular season, scoring in double-figures 17 times. He notched 20-or-more points in eight games, including a career-high 28 points versus Texas Wesleyan on Dec. 10. Having appeared in every game for the Panthers this season, the Marietta, Ga., native led the team with 86 assists; good for No. 7 in the conference in assists-per-game (3.1). He converted a team-high 61 treys this season, averaging 2.2, 3-pointers made-per-contest (No. 5 in the conference).

The all-conference honors mark the first-ever for all three players.

DeJuan Wright Named Sun Belt Player of the Week
FIU senior DeJuan Wright has been named the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

Wright helped FIU (8-20, 5-11 SBC) to a 1-1 record this past week, including an 81-74 win over South Alabama on Senior Night (Saturday, Feb. 25). The Detroit, Mich., native averaged 24.0 points-per-game across two contests, including a career-high 35 points versus the Jaguars. His 35 points were the second-most all-time in a single game by an FIU player, and were the most points scored by a Panther at home in the history of U.S. Century Bank Arena. Wright scored 13 points versus Troy on Thursday, Feb. 23 to go along with his career mark versus South Alabama.

Wright also averaged 11.5 rebounds-per-contest for the week, and tallied his fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season with 10 rebounds versus Troy and 13 rebounds against South Alabama. He finished the week shooting 48.1 percent from the floor (13-of-27) and 80.0 percent (20-of-25) from the charity stripe.

During his game with the Jaguars, Wright set a school record for free-throw attempts (19) and free-throws made (16). On the year, Wright is averaging 16.4 points-per-game (No. 1 in the conference) and 7.7 rebounds-per-contest (No. 3 in the conference).

765 and Counting  
Senior DeJuan Wright enters Saturday's game having scored 765 points for his FIU career. The Detroit, Mich., native is averaging 15.3 points-per-game during his two-year career at FIU currently ranks No. 15 on FIU's all-time scoring list.

Consecutive Free Throws
Junior Cameron Bell set the school record for consecutive free throws made, draining his 24th-consecutive shot from the charity stripe on Thursday, Feb. 16. The previous record was held by teammate Jeremy Allen, who set the mark at 20-straight last season.

Consecutive Starts
Entering Saturday's game with WKU, senior Jeremy Allen has started in 48-consecutive games. The school record for consecutive starts is held by Dwight Stewart, who started in 73-consecutive games from 1991-1993.

"Stealing" the Show
Senior Jeremy Allen has recorded 76 steals so far this season for an average of 2.7 spg. That ranks No. 4 in the nation for steals-per-game. Allen has recorded at least one steal in 34-straight games, dating back to last season.

Allen Creeping into the Record Books
Senior Jeremy Allen has tallied 76 steals during the 2011-12 season, good for No. 2 in the FIU record books for steals in a season.

Allen has also entered the FIU record books for career steals. He has tallied 113 during his two-year career (No. 9 in the FIU record books).

Raining Treys
Entering Saturday's game, the FIU Panthers have converted at least one 3-point basket in 112-straight games, dating back to Dec. 20, 2008.

Extra Basketball
FIU dropped a 75-70 overtime contest to Troy on Thursday, Feb. 23, at U.S. Century Bank Arena. It marked the 53rd overtime contest for the Panthers, who own a 22-31 (.415) record all-time in those contests. All-time, the Panthers are 4-5 under Head Coach Isiah Thomas in overtime games.

With the overtime home loss, FIU dropped to 11-13 all-time in overtime contests at home (9-11 at U.S. Century Bank Arena).

1,000-Point Club
Senior Jeremy Allen scored his 1000th-career point after hitting the first of two free-throws with 18 minutes left in FIU's game with Denver (Feb. 11, 2012). Allen, who transferred to FIU following his sophomore year at Central Michigan, finished the night with a career-high 29 points. The Detroit, Mich., native has scored 1,086 during his NCAA career. The 6-foot-4 guard registered 489 points in his two seasons at CMU (2007-2008 & 2008-2009). Over the last two seasons at FIU, Allen has posted 597 points, including 397 points this season.

Shot Blocker
Sophomore Dominique Ferguson, who has recorded 29 blocked shots this season, is slowly moving his way up the FIU all-time blocked shots list. The Indianapolis, Ind., native currently sits at 59 for his career and is just eight blocks shy of moving into the No. 6 spot ahead of former Panther Kenny Simms (2004-06) in the FIU record books. Junior Brandon Moore is also among the school's top 10 after notching a team-high 34 this season. Moore currently also has 59 blocked shot, tied with Ferguson.

20-Point Outings
Entering Saturday's game versus South Alabama, FIU has had at least one player score 20-or-more points 18 times, including a season-high 35 by senior DeJuan Wright (vs. South Alabama - 2/25/12). 

Follow on Twitter
All of the 2011-2012 men's basketball action can be followed via the team's official Twitter account: @FIUMensBBall.

Road Warriors
The Panthers have played in 17 games away from the friendly confines of U.S. Century Bank Arena (nine road, three neutral). During those contests, FIU has registered a 6-11 record and have traveled a total of 18,247 miles.

Miami, Fla. to Blacksburg, Va. - 1,582 miles (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Tulsa, Okla. - 2,351miles (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Atlanta, Ga. - 1,210 miles (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Nacogdoches, Texas - 1,198 miles
Nacogdoches, Texas to College Park, Md. - 1,302 miles
College Park, Md. to Dayton, Ohio - 467 miles
Dayton, Ohio to Miami, Fla. - 1,174 miles
Miami, Fla. to Murfreesboro, Tenn. - 828 miles
Murfreesboro, Tenn. to Bowling Green, Ky. - 98 miles
Bowling Green, Ky. to Miami, Fla. - 971 miles
Miami, Fla. to Lafayette, La. - 1,942 miles (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Mobile, Ala. - 1,440 (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Troy, Ala. - 1,260 (round trip)
Miami, Fla. to Boca Raton, Fla. - 90 miles (round trip).
Miami, Fla. to Little Rock, Ark. - 1,141 miles.
Little Rock, Ark. to Jonesboro, Ark. - 123 miles
Jonesboro, Ark. to Miami, Fla. - 1,070 miles

First-Time Opponents
During the 2011-2012 season, the men's basketball team faced six first-time opponents. The Panthers went 3-3 this season versus first-time opponents. 

31 Years of Basketball
The 2011-2012 men's basketball season marks the program's 31st year. FIU began men's basketball during the 1981-1982 season. That year, led by Head Coach Rich Walker, the Panthers finished 11-16.

Defending "The Bank"
FIU has called U.S. Century Bank Arena its home since Feb. 1, 1986. During that time, the Panthers have recorded 174 victories (198 actual on-court) and has a winning record at home to finish a season 16 times. FIU owns a .515 winning percentage at U.S. Century Bank Arena, including a 13-0 record during the 1997-1998 season.

U.S. Century Bank Arena
            -  Opened Feb. 1, 1986
            -  Seating - 5,000
            -  First game - vs. Nova Southeastern  (W, 75-60)
            -  Record - 174-164 (.515)* - 24 games vacated due to NCAA Sanctions
            -  Actual On-Court Record - 198-164 (.547)
            -  Total FIU games played - 362
            -  Best record - 13-0 (1997-1998)

The Captains
This year's captains for the FIU men's basketball team are seniors Jeremy Allen and DeJuan Wright. Both players are entering their second season with the Panthers.