2025-26 FIU Men’s Basketball Conference Schedule Revealed

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The FIU Men’s Basketball team has announced its 2025-26 conference schedule. Last season, the Panthers went 10-23, reaching the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament before losing to Jacksonville State.

Jeremy Ballard, who’s entering his eighth season as head coach, will seek to improve his squad’s performance against conference opponents. Despite starting the season 6-7, the team went 3-15 last season against Conference USA foes.

CUSA Schedule

December 28 – FIU vs Liberty

January 2 – FIU vs New Mexico State

January 4 – FIU vs UTEP

January 7 – FIU at Jacksonville State

January 10 – FIU at Missouri State

January 14 – FIU at Kennesaw State

January 17 – FIU vs Sam Houston

January 22 – FIU at UTEP

January 24 – FIU at New Mexico State

January 28 – FIU vs Jacksonville State

February 4 – FIU at Middle Tennessee

February 7 – FIU at Western Kentucky

February 12 – FIU vs Delaware

February 14 – FIU vs Louisiana Tech

February 18 – FIU at Liberty

February 21 – FIU vs Missouri State

February 26 – FIU at Sam Houston

February 28 – FIU at Louisiana Tech

March 5 – FIU vs Middle Tennessee

March 7 – FIU vs Western Kentucky

The Newbies

At first glance, two opponents stand out. Both Delaware and Missouri State are new to Conference USA. FIU will be playing against both schools for the first time in program history. Delaware, which is coming from the Coastal Athletic Association, posted a 16-20 record last season.

The Fightin’ Blue Hens had a remarkable run in the CAA Tournament before losing to UNC Wilmington in the championship game. Missouri State, which is coming from the Missouri Valley Conference, held a 9-23 record last season. The Bears fell to Illinois State in the opening round of the MVC Tournament.

The Usual Suspects

Business as usual, the Panthers will be playing the team they’ve faced the most in Western Kentucky. They are 14-41 all-time against the Hilltoppers, but they did have some success against them last season. The Panthers won at home 85-66 and in upset fashion in the first round of the CUSA Tournament, 64-61. On the road, FIU lost 76-67. Western Kentucky posted a 17-15 record in the 2024-25 season.

Another team FIU has seen plenty of is Middle Tennessee. The Panthers have played a total of 50 games against them and dropped both contests last season, 73-69 at home and 78-56 away. The previous time FIU beat the Blue Raiders was on January 28, 2023, at The Bank.

MTSU went 22-12 last season, falling to Jacksonville State in the Conference USA semifinals and Chattanooga in the National Invitation Tournament in triple overtime.

mark your calendars 🗓️

🗞️ https://t.co/e46X6TDWgZ pic.twitter.com/NxPrLtFRls

— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) July 11, 2025

Louisiana Tech has been a staple on the Conference USA schedule since 2013. FIU lost both contests by double-digits, 81-64 away, and 82-71 back home. It’s been a while since the Panthers have claimed victory against the Bulldogs. Their last W came on February 9, 2023, at The Bank.

Despite a 20-12 record, Louisiana Tech concluded this past season with a double overtime loss to Middle Tennessee in the CUSA quarterfinals.

UTEP has gotten the best of FIU, which only has a .136 winning percentage against them all-time. The Panthers lost at The Bank 81-73 and in El Paso 77-63 this past year. The Miners posted an 18-15 record, losing to Liberty in the Conference USA Tournament quarterfinals.

The Renewed Rivals

Jacksonville State put the nail in the coffin for FIU’s 2024-25 season. Away, the Panthers lost 71-67, and at home, they lost 84-79 in double overtime. However, they weren’t able to contain the Gamecocks in the CUSA quarterfinals, losing 65-56.

Jacksonville State went 23-13, having lost the Conference USA championship to Liberty and then the second round of the National Invitation Tournament to Irvine.

New Mexico State hasn’t been kind to FIU on the court. The Panthers lost 59-52 at home and 76-48 away. FIU has only beaten them once in program history. The Aggies held a 17-15 record, falling to Kennesaw State in the CUSA quarterfinals last season.

On the other hand, Kennesaw State is the conference rival they’ve had the most success against. Although they dropped their first game ever to them in an away game, 73-67, they bounced back to win at home, 76-61. The Owls posted a 19-15 record, falling to Liberty in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

FIU and Sam Houston split the season series this past season. The Bearkats won theirs at home 81-74 while the Panthers got their home dub in a thrilling 85-82 win in double overtime. Their season ended with a 13-19 record and a first-round exit to UTEP in the CUSA Tournament.

The team to watch in this conference is once again Liberty. FIU dropped both contests to them, 82-59 at The Bank and 58-45 on the road. The Flames finished with a 28-7 record. Their 13-5 record in conference play was no fluke either, as they went on to win the Conference USA Tournament. Liberty would go on to lose to #25 Oregon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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