Hilltoppers look for revenge against FIU

With two games remaining on the regular season schedule, WKU Men’s Basketball will return home to end the season starting with a matchup against Florida International University Thursday.

Sitting at 16-13 (7-9 Conference USA) and in seventh place, the Hilltoppers look to end the season on a two-game win streak, which could propel them up two spots to fifth just before the CUSA tournament.

“Two big games,” Head Coach Hank Plona said in a midweek press conference. “Obviously we’d love to finish the season strong going into Huntsville, Alabama, (for the CUSA tournament) and we’re looking forward to what’s in front of us.”

The first test is round two versus FIU. The Panthers dominated WKU 85-66 in their Jan. 4 matchup in Miami. Last season the teams split, with WKU winning at home 105-91 on Jan. 25 and FIU winning at home 85-83 on March 2.

The Panthers come in last in the conference with a 9-20 (3-13 CUSA) record. They’ve managed just one win on the road this season and their only three conference wins this season are against WKU, Sam Houston, and most recently, Kennesaw State on Feb. 27. FIU lost their most recent matchup against Jacksonville State on March 1 84-79 in a double-overtime thriller.

The Panthers average 70.4 points per game, with their leading scorer, guard Jayden Brewer, averaging 14.3 points per game on 47.9% shooting from the field and five rebounds. He tallied seven points and seven rebounds in their previous matchup versus the Hilltoppers. His 14.3 points per game ranks eighth in the conference.

FIU leads CUSA in blocks per game with 4.83 and ranks second in steals with 9.24.

The Hilltoppers’ 75.8 points per game rank third in the conference, but they have been held under this mark for three of their last four games. They hold a 12-4 record at home and a 4-3 record at home in league play.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The game can be watched on ESPN +.