MIAMI– With its season-ending victory over Western Kentucky, FIU men's basketball (15-16, 8-12 CUSA) is officially locked into the eight seed in the conference tournament and will host Missouri State (14-17, 8-12) on Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET at Propst Arena in Huntsville on ESPN+.

The Panthers have battled the Bears twice in their first year as Conference USA foes, earning a split with each team taking their home half of the series. The Bears staved off 18 points from Julian Mackey in the first matchup to win 79-71 in Springfield on Jan. 10, and Corey Stephenson's game-winning three sealed a 70-67 win in Miami on Feb. 21.

The Panthers will be looking to advance to the next round for the third straight season.