LAS CRUCES, N.M. — FIU's men's basketball program closes its 2023-24 regular season slate with a Conference USA (CUSA) matchup at New Mexico State on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. 

The Panthers (10-20, 5-10 CUSA) look for the season sweep against the Aggies (12-18, 6-9 CUSA) in a game that will be pivotal in determining seeding for both teams for upcoming CUSA Championships. With a win and a loss from Liberty, FIU would secure the seventh-seed and avoid playing in the 8-9 seed game on Tuesday, March 12. 

Regardless of other results, a loss or Liberty win would mean the Panthers will play in the opening round game between Nos. 8 and 9 seeds. 

In the previous meeting between New Mexico State and FIU, the Panthers defended their home court in Miami with a 77-67 win. FIU held an eight-point halftime lead and were up 17 with 12:10 to go before the Aggies pulled within two with 4:00 to go. The Panthers made 10-of-13 free throws down the stretch, however, to hold off NMSU for their first CUSA win of the the year. 

Arturo Dean grabbed three more steals against UTEP in FIU's last game, an 83-76, adding to his mark as the NCAA leader. He continues to approach Brian Beard's all-time Panther record of 100 steals in a season. Javaunte Hawkins also has etched his name in the FIU record book with the all-time record for three-pointers made in a career and also is now sixth all-time for three-pointers made in a season (77). 

SCOUTING NMSU

The Aggies also enter this matchup with CUSA Championships seeding on the line. NMSU could finish as high as fifth with a win while a loss would lock the Aggies into the nine-seed. 

New Mexico State most recently snapped a six-game losing streak with a 66-64 win over Jax State on Saturday, March 2. Femi Odukale and Christian Cook each average double-digits to lead the Aggie attack. 

NMSU has a well-rounded scoring output with eight players averaging seven points or more. As a team, the Aggies have been good at home, winning 5-of-7 CUSA games.