In case you didn’t know.
On Thursday, it was announced that shortstop Jenna Laird, who ranks 2nd in the SEC in batting average at .433 (and leads all freshmen), was named a finalist one of 30 for the NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year. Since COVID knocked out last season, any player who was a freshman in 2020 or 2021 is eligible for the award.
Better start paying attention to #⃣3⃣❗️
It should come as no surprise that Laird was nominated given her awesomeness yes, that’s a very technical term. Let’s check out her stats, according to MUTigers.com’s press release and their team statistical data.
FIU looks to end streak vs Southern Miss
February 20, 2021 GMT
Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Southern Miss looks to extend Florida International’s conference losing streak to 13 games. Florida International’s last CUSA win came against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 68-55 on Jan. 8. Southern Miss beat Florida International by 13 on the road in its last outing.
SUPER SENIORS: Florida International has relied heavily on its seniors this year. Tevin Brewer, Dimon Carrigan, Radshad Davis and Eric Lovett have combined to account for 42 percent of the team’s scoring this year and 63 percent of all Panthers points over the last five games.ACCURATE ANTONIO: Antonio Daye, Jr. has connected on 28.9 percent of the 83 3-pointers he’s attempted and has gone 5 for 21 over the last five games. He’s also converted 69.3 percent of his foul shots this season.
Southern Miss (7-14, 3-11) vs. Florida International (9-14, 2-12) Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami; Friday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Southern Miss looks to extend Florida.
UTEP vs. FIU: Three Questions Before Tipoff
Both contests have a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Haskins Center.
Who: UTEP (8-10, 4-8 C-USA) vs. Florida International (9-12, 2-10 C-USA)
When: Friday, 7:00 p.m. MT
Where: Don Haskins Center, El Paso
Watch: ESPN+
Ruben R Ramirez
What about the elephant in the room?
As ABC-7 s Erik Elken reported on Thursday, UTEP head coach Rodney Terry received a one-year contract extension that will pin him as the Miners head coach until the 2023-24 season. This was uncovered after our news partners were seeking clarification on the salary reductions this year by UTEP s two highest paid coaches Terry and football coach Dana Dimel. Both Terry ($200,000) and Dimel ($71,000) will take a combined $271,000 salary reduction this year as a result of budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Turns out the extension moved forward in October, yet Director of Athletics Jim Senter never released anything to the public.
Florida International (9-12, 2-10) vs. UTEP (8-10, 4-8) Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas; Friday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: UTEP looks for its fourth straight win over Florida.