FIU men’s basketball is set to celebrate 305 Day during its final homestand of the season, facing Middle Tennessee on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The event will include a tailgate at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center Plaza from 5-7 p.m.
The Panthers recently secured their first win in Ruston since joining Conference USA and their first there since 2001, defeating Louisiana Tech 84-76. In that game, FIU made a season-high 13 three-pointers, with Corey Stephenson and Julian Mackey combining for nine of them.
Middle Tennessee enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak, most recently achieving an overtime victory against New Mexico State.
Historically, Middle Tennessee has had the advantage over FIU in their series. The teams have met 51 times, with FIU holding a record of 13-38 overall and 6-18 at home in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Head coach Jeremy Ballard has gone 5-8 against Middle Tennessee during his tenure.
FIU broke a losing streak against Middle Tennessee in their last meeting with an 84-80 overtime win in Murfreesboro. Stephenson scored a career-high 34 points and was instrumental late in regulation to force overtime.
The last time FIU defeated Middle Tennessee at home was January 28, 2023; Denver Jones led with 21 points as the Panthers won that contest 82-74.
Several players have been key contributors for FIU down the stretch:
“Zawdie Jackson has been one of the Panthers’ best players down the stretch in conference play. Over the last eight games, he is averaging 15.8 ppg and 2.9 assists per game. He is seven assists away from 500 in his career.”
“Julian Mackey added another double-digit effort in the last game with 16, knocking down a season-best five threes in Ruston. He is fifteen points away from one thousand in his career at the NCAA level.”
“Corey Stephenson continues to roll for the Panthers. He had another twenty-point game at Louisiana Tech, knocking down four threes and scoring twenty-one. He is now the eleventh player to record five hundred points in a single season at FIU, and had his ninth twenty-point game of the season.”
“Eric Dibami notched his seventh double-double of the season at Louisiana Tech while also recording a career-high this season. He has been one of the best freshmen in the conference this year, and in program history, moving into third all-time for double-doubles in a season by a freshman. He is tied for fourth in the conference in double-doubles, and one behind Ruben Colon (1989-90) in program history.”
A win would tie FIU’s highest total since the 2021-22 season.
After Thursday’s game against Middle Tennessee, FIU will host Western Kentucky on Saturday to close out its regular season before awaiting its conference tournament fate.
Fans interested in tickets can call “305-FIU-GAME” or visit the online ticket office for more information.
Supporters are encouraged to follow team updates on Instagram (@FIUHoops), X (@FIUHoops), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensBball), as well as general athletic news accounts @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
