Liberty Basketball Set to Host Florida International as FIU Rolls Into Town
Liberty Basketball will host Florida International after Jackson's 20-point game, setting up a matchup that pits a hot Flames unit against an FIU team buoyed by a dominant 77-64 rout of Louisiana Tech. The Panthers held the Bulldogs to 24 rebounds, and Hamed Olayinka delivered a career night with 11 points, a career-best 17 rebounds and five blocks.
Liberty Basketball matchup: what to watch
The immediate storyline centers on a Liberty side that is coming off a game in which Jackson scored 20 points. That scoring punch provides the Flames with a clear offensive option entering this home test. For Liberty Basketball, balancing that scoring with defensive attention will be key when Florida International arrives riding momentum from a comprehensive win.
FIU's momentum after the rout
FIU's recent performance carried a number of encouraging signs. The Panthers' 77-64 victory over Louisiana Tech was notable for limiting the opposition to just 24 rebounds, a season low for that opponent. The team's ability to control the glass should factor heavily into its strategy against the Flames; rebounding and interior defense were major factors in creating second-chance opportunities and shutting down the Bulldogs' attack.
Hamed Olayinka emerged as a standout in that win, posting a double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds while swatting five shots. That defensive presence and work on the glass give FIU a clear blueprint for how it can trouble Liberty: win the rebound battle, contest shots around the rim, and convert opportunities off the defensive board. FIU also showed resilience in its comeback approach—trailing midway through the second half before going on a decisive run and never looking back—which should bolster confidence as it prepares for a road test.
Beyond the individual stat lines, the Panthers' collective execution in that game matters. The ability to flip momentum in the second half and sustain a run speaks to in-game adjustments and depth contributions, traits that will be tested against a Flames team coming off a strong scoring performance by Jackson.
What the matchup could decide
This meeting presents two immediate implications. First, it will test Liberty's capacity to contain interior rebounding and rim protection against a team that leaned heavily on those strengths in its recent win. Second, it gives FIU a chance to see how its second-half run style translates against a top opponent at the Flames' venue. With Liberty hosting and the Panthers arriving off a statement victory, the clash could reshape short-term trajectories for both teams.
Expect a tactical battle: Liberty will look to leverage Jackson's scoring to set the tone, while FIU will aim to replicate the rebounding and rim defense that powered its 77-64 win. How each side adjusts—particularly on the glass and in late-game possessions—will likely determine the outcome of this highly anticipated matchup.
