MIAMI (September 22, 2021) – FIU men's basketball head coach Jeremy Ballard announced the Panthers' 2021-22 schedule on Wednesday. The slate features 13 non-conference contests, including seven Division I opponents at home and 18 Conference USA games.

"I am thrilled to have a full allotment of games for this season's schedule," Ballard said.  "Everyone affiliated with our program is that much more grateful for a normal schedule after consecutive seasons being severely impacted by COVID-19.  With that being said, I would be remiss if I did not send out my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our ability to compete last season during the epidemic a reality and we are hungry to display our gratitude by relentlessly competing and succeeding this season."

The Panthers also host four Division I in-state rivals from the Sunshine State during non-conference play including Florida Gulf Coast, Stetson, Bethune Cookman and North Florida.

"Specifically, we are thrilled with the number of non-conference home games on deck and are extremely appreciative of our administration for making that possible, Ballard said. "This home slate will consist of a number of our Florida rivals as well as other respected programs from across the country. We are also excited to participate in the Jersey Mikes Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida and to compete against historically successful teams in that field. Ultimately we know that this challenging non-conference schedule will prepare us for the grueling Conference USA play."

FIU tips off the season at Southeastern Conference member Georgia on Nov. 9. The team's home opener will see them battle Trinity College on Nov. 12.

"We are thrilled to open our season with a storied SEC program in the University of Georgia and are anxious to compete against a Power 5 program," Ballard added.

The squad heads to the Jersey Mike's Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida, where FIU faces off against Green Bay, Ball State and 2020-21 NCAA tournament team UNG Greensboro from Nov. 18-21.

The Panthers begin a four-game homestand when the team takes on North Dakota on Nov. 24. Contests against North Florida (Nov. 28) and FGCU (Dec. 1) follow with the final game featuring Stetson on Dec. 4.

After heading to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 11, and Jacksonville State on Dec. 15, FIU closes out the non-conference slate by facing Bethune Cookman (Dec. 19) and Houston Baptist (Dec. 21) at home.

Conference USA play begins on Dec. 30, when FIU welcomes Old Dominion to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The team begins the new year with a home contest against Charlotte on Jan 1.

The first road games in league play take place at WKU (Jan 8), UAB (Jan 13), and Middle Tennessee (Jan 15). The Panthers return home for a pair of games against Marshall (Jan 20) and WKU (Jan. 22), before closing out the month at UTSA on Jan. 27, and UTEP on Jan. 29.

FIU hosts Southern Miss on Feb. 3, and Louisiana Tech on Feb. 5. The team then heads to Marshall for a game on Feb. 10. The squad welcomes Middle Tennessee (Feb. 17) and Rice (Feb. 19) before heading to Charlotte on Feb. 24, and ODU on Feb. 26.

The final two games of the regular season feature Florida Atlantic, as FIU hosts the rival Owls on March 2, before playing the final road game of the season at FAU on March 5.

The conference tournament is set for March 9-12. The championship will once again be held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

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