MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball team enjoyed an 11-day break from competition and will now take on No. 15 FAU in Boca Raton, Fla. at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
The Panthers soaked up a historic evening in their last game, a 74-59 win over LIU on Dec. 2. With the win, head coach Jeremy Ballard surpassed Shakey Rodriguez for the most career wins all-time in FIU's Division I era (80). Arturo Dean also notched a career-high 27 points and continues to sit atop the national rankings in steals and steals per game.
Okechukwu Okeke earned significant minutes for the first time this season against LIU and delivered with 13 points in 21 minutes off the bench.
FIU and FAU are very familiar with one another as in-state, South Florida rivals and FAU formally a member of Conference USA. The Owls recently departed for the American Conference this season, but the history between these programs remains.
In their last meeting, the Panthers took the Owls to the wire and had a chance to win the game late at home on Jan. 11, 2023. FAU secured the result in overtime, however, winning 77-73. The Owls proved themselves as the class of CUSA last season, sporting a 17-0 record at home and 18-2 mark in conference play on their way to the NCAA Final Four.
SCOUTING FAU
FAU has been nationally-ranked to start the 2023-24 season and sits at No. 15 in the latest AP Poll.
Vladislav Goldin has taken a significant step forward as the Owls' leading scorer with 16.2 ppg on an NCAA-leading 73.7 field goal percentage.
The Owls were most recently defeated by No. 20 Illinois 98-89 as part of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. FAU has already played a highly-competitive schedule and will take on St. Bonaventure on Dec. 16 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Mass. following its tilt with FIU. The Owls will then meet Arizona in Las Vegas, Nev. on Dec. 23.
FAU's Last Starting Five: Goldin, Davis, Martin, Gaffney, Weatherspoon
