FIUVoice
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Post by FIUVoice on Jan 12, 2008 11:09:17 GMT -5
The FIU Men’s Basketball team puts its modest two-game winning streak on the line against storied Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Ky...WKU owns an 18-3 series lead (9-1 at home) and has won four games in a row against FIU...The Hilltoppers program boasts 39 conference championships, 19 NCAA Tournament berths and ranks eighth in NCAA history for winning percentage and 15th in all-time wins...WKU’s Courtney Lee is a two-time league Player of the Week who ranks second in the SBC and 30th nationally in scoring (20.4 ppg)... Lee scored a game-high 23 points while Western Kentucky allowed Louisiana-Monroe to shoot just 23.8 percent overall Thursday as the Hilltoppers earned a 71-44 Sun Belt Conference basketball victory over the Warhawks in Monroe...FIU is coming off two of his better defensive efforts of the season, limiting Florida Atlantic (Jan. 5) to 58 points and Troy (Jan. 9) to 49...Not only did the Golden Panther hold Troy to its lowest point total of the year last Wednesday in a 74-49 decision, but the 25-point margin of victory was also the largest for FIU since a 70-45 win over Florida A&M on Nov. 26, 2004...FIU shot better than 50-percent from the floor against Troy marking the eighth time this season that the team had more makes than misses in a game. One reason for this success has been the play of sophomore guard Erick Nsangou whose .535 field-goal percentage ranks eighth best in the Sun Belt Conference. Nsangou hit on 8-of-9 shots from the field against Troy, tying the best shooting night for a conference player this season...Junior center Russell Hicks recorded his second double-double in the last three games with a 16-point/10-rebound effort against the Trojans. Hicks has also been a defensive force in the paint, blocking 27 shots this season. His 1.93 blocked shots per game are best in the Sun Belt...Senior guard Chris Fuller knocked down two more 3-pointers in two attempts against Troy. His .469 3FG percentage is seventh overall in the SBC...Following WKU, the Golden Panthers travel to Mobile, Ala., for a date with undefeated East Division leader South Alabama (12-3, 4-0 SBC) next Wednesday, Jan. 16. The Jags carry a league-best eight-game win streak into a Saturday tilt against New Orleans. www.fiusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=1367156 |
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FIUVoice
Puma
Go Gold and Blue
Posts: 407
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Post by FIUVoice on Jan 12, 2008 11:16:44 GMT -5
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, January 12th, 8:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: E.A. Diddle Arena (7,326) -- Bowling Green, Kentucky. Television: Local. Home Record: FIU 5-5, WKU 6-0. Away Record: FIU 0-4, WKU 4-3. Neutral Record: FIU 0-0, WKU 1-2. Conference Record: FIU 2-2, WKU 3-1. Series Record: Western Kentucky leads, 18-3.
GAME NOTES: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will try to remain perfect at home when they host the Florida International Golden Panthers in a Sun Belt Conference battle at the E.A. Diddle Arena. The Golden Panthers come into this matchup with a small two-game winning streak. The last time FIU was on the court the team grabbed a convincing, 74-49 victory over Troy. Since the beginning of the 2005-06 season, the Golden Panthers are a pathetic 5-29 on the road, and that includes the team's 0-4 ledger away from this year. As for the Hilltoppers, they have won three of their last four games, including an impressive 71.44 win over UL-Monroe this past Thursday. WKU has played extremely well at home this season, winning all six of its games. The Hilltoppers have dominated the Golden Panthers over the years, winning 18 of the 21 meetings on the hardwood. WKU has won four straight against FIU and that includes an 82-64 win this past February.
The Golden Panthers overcame 24 turnovers and scored 74 points en route to a 25-point win over Troy this past Wednesday. In the win the team shot a sizzling 55.4 percent from the floor and also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Trojans, 45-27. Erick Nsangou was sensational in the win, netting 8-of-9 attempts from the field, finishing the game with 17 points. FIU's leading scorer Russell Hicks (13.5 ppg), added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Fuller tallied 12 points. Alex Galindo, who is posting 11.4 ppg and a team-best 6.3 rpg, only scored six points in the contest, but did finish with 10 rebounds. Although the Golden Panthers were impressive in the win, the team has still struggled on the year. FIU is currently posting just 66.1 ppg, and is averaging a whopping 18.7 turnovers per matchup.
The Hilltoppers are without question one of the most balanced teams in the Sun Belt. Western Kentucky has done a tremendous job offensively this year, and heads into this game netting 76.6 ppg, while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from behind the arc. Courtney Lee has been one of the top guards in the conference, averaging 20.4 ppg. Tyrone Brazelton is the only other player averaging double figures for WKU, as the guard is contributing 13.0 ppg, while shooting an outstanding 51.5 percent from behind the arc. The last time WKU was on the court, the team posted a strong 27 point win over UL-Monroe. The Hilltoppers shot 47.3 percent in the contest, and made 9-of-22 three-point attempts. However, only Lee finished the game in double figures, scoring 23 points on a 9-of-16 clip from the floor. A.J. Slaughter added nine points for WKU, while Brazelton chipped in just two points and committed four turnovers.
The Hilltoppers should have no trouble getting past Florida International. WKU is tougher defensively and has plenty of scoring options at the offensive end of the court.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Kentucky 75, FIU 57
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Post by kevinkagy on Jan 12, 2008 11:44:02 GMT -5
Western Kentucky is a tough team, but we could win if the team has everything in the right places and plays defensively.
GO PANTHERS!
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Post by gpantera on Jan 12, 2008 12:18:12 GMT -5
Western Kentucky is a tough team, but we could win if the team has everything in the right places and plays defensively. GO PANTHERS! So what you're saying is that if FIU places ball in the basket more times than our oppenent, we'll win? Kevin, I love your FIU passion, but occassionally, your analysis is pretty funny. |
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Post by kevinkagy on Jan 12, 2008 12:19:37 GMT -5
Western Kentucky is a tough team, but we could win if the team has everything in the right places and plays defensively. GO PANTHERS! So what you're saying is that if FIU places ball in the basket more times than our oppenent, we'll win? Kevin, I love your FIU passion, but occassionally, your analysis is pretty funny. Yeah, basically lol. |
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Post by FIUPantherFan on Jan 12, 2008 19:01:55 GMT -5
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Post by FIUPantherFan on Jan 12, 2008 20:13:50 GMT -5
LEARN TO BREAK THE FREAKING PRESSURE DEFENSE SERGIO. Just drive to the basket and FINISH! Let's go.
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Post by kevinkagy on Jan 12, 2008 22:33:30 GMT -5
Final score: 60-76 Western Kentucky.
Close game.
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Post by FIUPantherFan on Jan 13, 2008 10:06:41 GMT -5
I'm sick of this, how long does it take to learn how to break a press? I mean, it's a matter of spacing and coming TO THE BALL! I also hate how the few times when they DO break the press and have numbers, instead of driving and getting an easy basket, the guards wait and push it back? What is that, get the easy points and make the opponents pay.
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