Check back at 5:45 p.m. for tonight's live blog of the FIU versus Rhode Island baseball game. The Golden Panthers (6-2) are riding a five-game winning streak, including sweeping Mississippi Valley State. The game will be FIU's fifth in four days.
Justin
Got word from the Sun Belt office that, as expected, no bowl invitations will be handed out before Sunday. Since GoDaddy.com and Little Caesars cannot make a move before New Orleans does, this is really a reflection of the Big Easy’s hesitance to embrace either FIU or Troy. As said before this week, the Panthers would be well suited to beat Middle Tennessee Saturday if they don’t want to spend Christmas in Detroit.
Do have some news to pass along, however. Ash Parker – who has returned from two ACL tears – is up for college football’s Rudy Award. The honor goes to Division I football player who demonstrate exemplary CHARACTER, COURAGE, CONTRIBUTION and COMMITMENT as team members. It is to decided by fan voting, and you can cast yours here until Dec. 13.
UPDATE: Should work now, Point.
True college basketball feel for FIU's biggest home game of the year.
The Panthers (3-0) host Florida State (2-0) in an expected full house at U.S. Century Bank Arena.
The upper-level seats are open. Celebrities could make an appearance. Should be fun.
Tipoff is 7 p.m.
Join the conversation here or on Twitter. Follow me at @AdamHBeasley.
Four years ago in a blog not that far, far away from you....it began as a simple way of recapping the FIU sports year. After smashing box office records, a sequel was called for in 2008. Then, although the GPP did not sign for a three picture deal, there were no issues in making the trilogy last summer.
And now....FIU At The Movies, Episode IV.
A look at the FIU sports year by referring to motion pictures released during the Panthers athletic season (August 2009 to June 2010). Cell phones off please. And now your feature presentation.....
The Goods -- FIU softball has the goods as it gets its 1st NCAA Tournament win and features the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year (Kasey Barrett), Sun Belt Player of the Year (Ashley McClain), Sun Belt Freshman of the Year (Brie Rojas) and Sun Belt Coach of the Year (Beth McClendon).
Final Destination 4 -- No. 4's final destination is the end zone. Just ask Kansas (2008) and Alabama (2009) as the first time Goodbye touches the ball in each of his first 2 seasons, he takes it back for 6.
The Open Road -- FIU hoops late November/December schedule where the Panthers spent 24 days on the road.
All About Steve -- Sun Belt voters got it wrong when they picked some dude from North Texas as the winner of the SBC Basketball Tournament halftime dance-off. How could you not vote for Vanessa (right)?
Play The Game -- Why won't the Coral Gables school play FIU? Nah, never mind, I won't bother anymore.
Gamer -- Scott "El Oso" Bryant (left) breaks the all-time FIU tackles record held by
Keyonvis Bouie.
Whiteout -- What Scott Rembisz's pitching did to opposing Sun Belt bats at the conference tournament.
The Other Man -- The Hooters were looking at Carlos Munera to punt, but fullback John Ellis had the ball on the fake punt and rumbled 25 yards to set up the tying TD.
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs -- The SBC Baseball tourney started cloudy, but once FIU broke that "pressure barrier" as TT calls it, the Panthers (right) were hitting meatballs the rest of the way en route to the Sun Belt title.
Bright Star -- Marlon Bright wins the Sun Belt's Behavior Award among his many accomplishments during his FIU career.
Free Style -- Actually, 3 Style for FIU women's hoopster Monika Bosilj, who broke the program's all-time record for 3 pointers with 188.
Adventures Of Power -- Jabari Henry (Freshman All-American, SBC Frosh of the Year) leads FIU with 12 HR. Jabari homers in 1st college at-bat (3-run bomba vs. Maryland) and to finish his first season at FIU, Jabari homers off MLB's No. 6 overall pick Barret Loux of Texas A&M.
One Good Man -- Long time FIU media relations guru Rich Kelch retires last December. Don't know much about Rich, then click HERE
Good Hair -- Garrett Wittels' "bird's nest" (left) does not get cut during his 56-game hitting streak. It must be good hair.
AstroBoy -- FIU QB Paul McCall graduates and heads off to Mars training in the desert.
Hubble 3D -- How Sun Belt Tournament MVP Jeremy Patton's eyes saw the baseball in Murfreesboro.
Saw VI -- Only the Dade County Youth Fair stopped Jeremiah Harden when he turned the corner and saw 6 in the spring game. He'll see more 6s this fall.
As Seen Through These Eyes -- GW and Robin Ventura talk about what only their 56+ hit streak eyes have experienced.
The Fourth Kind -- Yarimar Rosa (left), with another out-of-this-world season, is honored with a 4th All-American nod. The first 4-time All-American at FIU and probably the greatest volleyball player ever at FIU.
Storm -- On a scorching Halloween day, FIU storms back in the final minute and wins in OT against Louisiana. PMC hits Greg Ellingson for 6 in the back of the end zone with 10 seconds left in the 4th quarter. Dustin Rivest kicks the winning FG. Tyler Clawson dominates on D in OT and Tourek Williams blocks the tying field goal attempt to seal the victory.
The Other Side Of Paradise -- My day as Dazzlers audition judge (right). I'm ready for 2011.
Legion -- Alex Legion transfers to FIU and the legion of top recruits for the 2010-11 hoops season headed to FIU.
Mammoth -- Mike Martinez's moonshot HR at the SBC tourney. Ball landed inside the Middle Tennessee football stadium which has 2 decks so the ball had to clear the 2nd deck. Although, there is a rumor that the ball is still travelling somewhere along the interstate pass Murfreesboro and heading to Churchill's in downtown Nashville.
Green Zone -- They may be green by class designation -- freshmen -- but these Sun Belt Freshmen of the Year are not green on the field or court. FIU's Jabari Henry (baseball), Brie Rojas (softball) and Jovana Bjelica (volleyball) all won the conference's Freshman of the Year Award in their respective sports.
Kick Ass -- Once again the FIU volleyball team (right) is at the top of the Sun Belt and coach Danijela Tomic wins another Sun Belt Coach of the Year Award.
Hey Watch This -- GW decides to hit in 56 straight games and captures the nation's attention.
The Good Heart -- FIU DB and Rudy Finalist O'Darris D'Haiti (left)and what he does each day for his family.
Touching Home -- What the FIU baseball lineup did a lot of this season with their XBox .337 team batting average.
Oceans -- Actually, it's pools for FIU diver Namiko Shibata, who was named the Sun Belt's Most Outstanding Diver this past season.
Endgame -- The closing abilities of FIU receivers coach Frank Ponce, who was named the Sun Belt's Top Recruiter this past season.
Whiz Kids -- FIU's APR improvements by its teams. Especially, the baseball team that scored an FIU baseball-best 975 and who broke even in practice hours -- yeah, they lost 2 hours a week, but also gained 2 hours back due to their solid 975 score. No scholarship losses and no postseason ban.
Waking Sleeping Beauty -- Yes, the sleeping giant has been dozing for a while, but in the past year the sleeping giant garned a Sun Belt baseball title and NCAA Tournament appearances by the baseball, softball and volleyball teams. Women's soccer and tennis teams became 2009-10 regular season Sun Belt champions and top recruits arriving in all sports at FIU.
