FIU may have as much talent at anyone in the league when healthy. They haven't been playing bad, despite still missing 3 starters. That may change soon. From their website:

Sophomore point guard Josue Soto (thumb), his right wrist taped, has slowly been working himself back into playing shape, junior J.C. Otero (knee) got some reps in on Wednesday despite the bulky brace on his left knee and even Russell Hicks (stress fracture) was upbeat, sitting on the sidelines after having been fitted with an orthotic device for his right shoe.

FIU head coach Sergio Rouco thinks it’s “doubtful” that any of the three injured players will on the court against North Texas, but he admits that they could be back soon.

Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers (8-12, 3-4) come in against North Texas having won two-in-a-row and four of their last six games. A win against the Mean Green would not only equal the program’s total number of wins from last season but would also tie the longest win streak ever under Rouco.

I took some abuse for saying that at the start of the season, and then FIU got players hurt and started poorly. But if they are healthy, they are a dangerous team.

(01-22-2009 01:11 AM)mjs Wrote:  FIU may have as much talent at anyone in the league when healthy. They haven't been playing bad, despite still missing 3 starters. That may change soon. From their website:

Sophomore point guard Josue Soto (thumb), his right wrist taped, has slowly been working himself back into playing shape, junior J.C. Otero (knee) got some reps in on Wednesday despite the bulky brace on his left knee and even Russell Hicks (stress fracture) was upbeat, sitting on the sidelines after having been fitted with an orthotic device for his right shoe.

FIU head coach Sergio Rouco thinks it’s “doubtful” that any of the three injured players will on the court against North Texas, but he admits that they could be back soon.

Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers (8-12, 3-4) come in against North Texas having won two-in-a-row and four of their last six games. A win against the Mean Green would not only equal the program’s total number of wins from last season but would also tie the longest win streak ever under Rouco.

I remember Russell Hicks giving us a fit last year. He's a very tall guy with good offensive skills. Our best strategy would be to try and get him in early foul trouble, but on the road that's a dangerous plan because we might get charging fouls called against us instead of blocking fouls called against the home team. Just a thought.