FIU vs New Mexico State Picks and Prediction – 2/16/2025

Florida International sits at 8-17 overall and 2-10 in conference play, struggling through a tough season. The Panthers lost the most recent game 82-71 against Louisiana Tech, marking their fourth loss in the last five contests. Offensively, they score 71.8 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Jayden Brewer leads the team with 14.7 points per game, shooting 48.2% from the floor. Ashton Williamson contributes 2.8 assists per game, but the overall offensive efficiency has been inconsistent. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Defensively, the Panthers allow 72.8 points per game, struggling to slow down opponents. They average 9.2 steals per contest, with Williamson leading the way with 1.6 per game. Rim protection is solid with Vianney Salatchoum posting 2.1 blocks per game. However, rebounding is an issue, as they grab only 35.2 boards per game, often giving up second-chance opportunities.

New Mexico State stands at 12-12 on the season and 5-6 in conference play but has lost three straight games, including a 66-63 defeat against UTEP. The Aggies average 70.8 points per game on 42.3% shooting. Christian Cook leads the scoring at 14.0 points per game, while Zawdie Jackson is the playmaker with 3.6 assists per contest. Peter Filipovity controls the glass, pulling down 8.1 rebounds per game, helping the Aggies maintain a slight edge in rebounding.

Defensively, New Mexico State allows just 68.3 points per game, a strong number compared to FIU. The Aggies struggle with shot-blocking, averaging just 2.3 blocks per contest. Dionte Bostick leads the team in steals with 1.2 per game, but the 6.8 steals per game are lower than FIU’s, meaning forcing turnovers might not be a reliable strategy.

New Mexico State has been better defensively, allowing fewer points per game and outrebounding Florida International. The Aggies also have the best scorer on the floor in Christian Cook, and with home-court advantage, they should control the tempo. Expect the Panthers to struggle with second-chance opportunities due to rebounding deficiencies. Final Score Prediction: New Mexico State Aggies win 74-67.