FIU is not basketball country — not now at least.
There are 14 teams in Conference USA, and the Panthers have been predicted to finish dead last in the league this season in both men’s and women’s basketball.
In addition, no Golden Panthers’ player — male or female — was named to any preseason all-league team.
Why such disrespect?
Let’s examine the facts: The men’s team finished 7-24 overall last season, 3-15 in league play, and 1-15 away from home. The Panthers were one of two teams in the league that did not qualify for the C-USA postseason tournament.