MIAMI (Aug. 29, 2019) - Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, the FIU men's basketball team announced its non-conference schedule for the much-anticipated new year. 

For the web version of the schedule, click here. All times are currently TBA and will be released at a later date. FIU's 2020 Conference USA schedule will also be released at a later date. 

"We are excited to announce one of the toughest non-conference schedules in our program's history," Head Coach Jeremy Ballard said. "We are looking forward to the competitive challenges that this schedule will provide as we continue seeking to raise the profile and status of our program. We relish the opportunity to represent FIU in each and every one of these contests." 

The Panthers will play five non-conference games at home, while traveling eight times away from the friendly confines of the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Four opponents on FIU's non-conference slate earned postseason berths as Mississippi State (NCAA), Ave Maria (NAIA), North Carolina State (NIT) and Minnesota (NCAA) played deep into March. 

FIU opens the new season at Mississippi State on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with the Panthers taking on a Bulldog club that is coming off an NCAA Tournament berth just a season ago under famed head coach Ben Howland. The Panthers open the home slate against Sun Conference Tournament champs Ave Maria on Friday, Nov. 8, as the Panthers look to follow up last season's 104-84 victory over the Gyrenes.

After the home opener, the Panthers will set out on a four-game road swing that includes stops in Raleigh, Cleveland and Washington D.C. The Panthers will open the road trip against a very tough ACC-foe in North Carolina State on Wednesday, Nov. 13, as the Wolfpack is fresh off a 24-win season. FIU travels to Cleveland State on Tuesday, Nov. 19, before heading to our nation's capital to play Eastern Kentucky and UNC-Willmington on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 as part of the D.C. Classic. 

After the road swing through the Mid-Atlantic, the Panthers return to the 305 to play three-straight home games as FIU hosts Keiser (Nov. 26), New Hampshire (Nov. 30) and instate foe Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 4). After a trek to Kennesaw State on Dec. 7, the Panthers play their final home non-conference game on Dec. 19 against Florida Memorial. The out-of-conference slate concludes with a pair of road games against Stetson (Dec. 22) and Minnesota (Dec. 28) to cap 2019. The Golden Gophers won 22 games last season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The 2018-19 season was one of the most successful in school history for the FIU men's basketball program, as head coach Jeremy Ballard led the squad to a 20-win season in just his first year with the Panthers. FIU advanced to its second postseason appearance in program history and its first since taking part in the 1995 NCAA Tournament against UCLA, as the Panthers earned the program's first postseason win after downing Texas State in the Collegeinsider.com Tournament. 

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