UTEP at FIU Open Thread

UTEP Miners

Current Record: 15-7, 7-3 C-USA

Projected Starters:

Omega Harris, Fr, G, 7.0 ppg,

C.J. Cooper, Sr, G, 7.1 ppg, 3.4 apg

Julian Washburn, Sr, G, 9.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg

Vince Hunter, So, F, 16.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg

Cedrick Lang, Sr, F, 10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg

Team Stats

Points Per Game	70.0
Opponents	63.3
FG%	.473
Opponents%	.412
3-point%	.366
Opponents%	.336
Free Throw%	.647
Rebounds Per Game	35.3
Rebounding Margin	+1.8
Assists Per Game	14.4
Steals Per Game	5.4

UTEP is now 6-11 in the Eastern Time Zone, and 1-5 in the state of Florida under Tim Floyd.

UTEP outscored FAU 40-26 in the paint, and held the Owls to only one field goal in the final 5:44.

The Miners have a 4-2 record in C-USA road games this season.

With the FAU win, the Miners improved to 10-1 this season when they hold an opponent to under 40 percent shooting, and 9-1 when they out rebound their opponent.

C.J. Cooper is fourth in school history with 137 three pointers, during his career, UTEP is 25-4 when Cooper scores in double figures.

UTEP is 9-3 when Vince Hunter is the leading scorer this season.

Hooper Vint has recorded career highs in minutes and points in each of his last two games.

Omega Harris pulled in a career high six rebounds vs. FAU.

Florida International Golden Panthers

Current Record: 11-11, 4-5 C-USA

Projected Starters:

Dennis Mavin, 6'3, Sr, G, 17.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg

Tashawn Desir, 5'10, Jr, G, 3.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Kris Gulley, 6'7, Sr, G/F, 3.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Daviyon Draper, 6'7, Jr, F, 7.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg

Adrian Diaz, 6'11, Jr, F, 13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg

Team Stats

Points Per Game	62.6
Opponents	63.3
FG%	.453
Opponents%	.397
3-point%	.303
Opponents%	.308
Free Throw%	.616
Rebounds Per Game	35.1
Rebounding Margin	+0.5
Assists Per Game	11.7
Steals Per Game	7.0

Dennis Mavin is ranked second in the conference in scoring, and first in minutes played. Mavin has also posted 54 double digit scoring games in his college career including 19 this season, and also has recorded 100 career steals.

Coming into Thursday's action Adrian Diaz was third nationally, and first in the C-USA in field goal percentage.

Diaz had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks Thursday night against UTSA.

FIU had a stretch of 44-days without playing a home game this season.

The Golden Panthers are 9-2 this season when they have out rebounded their opponent.

FIU is 2-7 when they have scored less than 60 points this season, and 2-12 overall under head coach Anthony Evans.

FIU has held five 20 point or more leads this season, which all have occurred in the state of Florida, they have a 9-1 record in the state of Florida this season.

FIU is 7-0 this season when they have held their opponent to under 60 points.

Adrian Diaz averages 3.3 offensive rebounds per game this season, and has recorded 11 rebounds on two occasions this season.

FIU leads the C-USA in field goal defense.

FIU is 8-1 this season when they lead at halftime, and 8-0 when they have held a lead with under 2:00 to play,but is 2-9 this season when trailing in the final two minutes.

FAU guard Dennis Mavin: "Last year we had like six or seven guys that consistently played. This year I think we can go eight, nine or 10 deep if we need to."

Coach Evans on Diaz: "He's very skilled. He can play with his back to the basket. He can face up, step out and knock down the jump shot. He's a very good rebounder, offensively and defensively."

Evans on Mavin: "He is athletic. He can get to the basket. He was one of our best players at the end of the season last year. We are counting on him to give us the same production from the beginning. He is a much improved shooter."

Last Five

2/5-Loss 74-63 vs. UTSA

2/3-Win 64-56 @ FAU

1/31-Win 78-70 @ Charlotte

1/29-Loss 71-56 @ Old Dominion

1/17-Loss 65-58 vs. WKU

Miners vs Golden Panthers coverage