MIAMI (November 9, 2016) – The FIU men's basketball team will officially tipoff the 2017-18 season on Friday night, Nov. 10, when it butts heads with Florida Memorial University at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. The game is the first for the Panthers over three days. FIU will return to their home floor on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. to face Stetson.

Eric Lockett (Warner Robbins, Georgia) is one of six returnees on the Panthers's roster. Lockett, who played in 31 games, with 13 starts, is the team's top returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 5.1 points- and 3.0 rebounds-per-game, respectively.

Click here to hear FIU men's basketball Head Coach Anthony Evans talk about the upcoming season.

GAME ONE: FIU vs. FLORIDA MEMORIAL
Friday, November 10, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Ocean Bank Convocation Center | Miami, Fla. | PantherVision (CUSA TV)

FIU PANTHERS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 C-USA
Last Game: First game
Head Coach: Anthony Evans
Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas, 1994  
Career Record: 150-170/11th season
Record at FIU: 51-76/Fifth season

FLORIDA MEMORIAL LIONS
Record: 1-1, 0-0 Sun Conference
Last Game: L, 71-49 vs. Xavier (New Orleans), October 28, 2017
Head Coach: Artis Maddox
Alma Mater: Mountain State
Career Record: 29-31/Third season
Record at school: Same

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: PantherVision (CUSA.tv), FIUSports.com
A.J. Ricketts (Play-by-play)
Radio/Audio: None
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: FIU leads series 15-5
Twitter: @FIUHoops
Tickets: For ticket information, contact the FIU athletic ticket office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).

QUICK HITS
- Friday marks the beginning of FIU's 37th season of intercollegiate basketball on the West Side as the Panthers tipoff the 2017-18 campaign against Florida Memorial ... Friday's meeting with the Lions is the first of two games in three days that FIU will play at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center (OBCC) ... The Panthers will return home on Sunday, Nov. 12 when it butts heads with in-state foe Stetson at 7 p.m.

- The Panthers come into the contest against the Lions with a 22-14 record in season openers all-time ... FIU looks for its fourth-straight season-opening win, and its fifth victory in the past six years.

- FIU will play five of its first eight games at home to start the season ... Following this weekend's two games against Florida Memorial and Stetson, the Panthers hit the road for three games in Milwaukee before returning to the OBCC to butt heads with 2017 Final Four participant, South Carolina. The Gamecocks are led by FIU alum, and Miami native, Frank Martin '93.

- Anthony Evans begins his fifth season as head coach of the Panthers, and his 11th season overall as a head coach, at both Norfolk State and FIU.