Florida International vs Western Kentucky Prediction 3/11/25 College Basketball Picks

The FIU Panthers and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Von Braun Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an FIU vs. Western Kentucky prediction.

Matchup History

These two teams split the meetings in the regular season, with the home team winning both matchups. FIU won the first matchup at home by a final score of 85-66 back on January 4th, 2025, before WKU got their revenge at home on March 6th, 2025. 

FIU Recap

The FIU Panthers come into the conference tournament as the 10-seed, finishing the year with an overall record of 9-22 including a 3-15 mark in conference play.

Panthers Looking To Go On A Run In Conference Tournament

Jayden Brewer leads the Panthers in scoring and rebounding with 14.3 PPG and 5 RPG while Vianney Salatchoum has 10.6 PPG with 4.9 RPG to cap off the pair of double-digit scorers for FIU up to this point in the year. Jonathan Aybar has 9.7 PPG with 5 RPG while Dashon Gittens has 8.4 PPG with 4 RPG and Asim Jones has 9.1 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 2.3 APG as well on the year. Ashton Williamson also has 7.4 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 2.6 APG to lead the Panthers in the assist department. As a team, FIU is averaging 69.8 PPG on 43% shooting from the field, 28.7% from three-point range, and 71.2% from the foul line so far this season.

Western Kentucky Recap

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers come into the conference tournament as the 7-seed, finishing the year with an overall record of 17-14 on the year including an 8-10 mark in CUSA conference play.

Hilltoppers Have a Long Road To Defend Conference Tournament Title

Don McHenry leads the Hilltoppers in scoring with 17.2 PPG along with 3.2 RPG while Babacar Faye has 15.2 PPG with a team-high 7.8 RPG to lead the Hilltoppers on the glass. Julius Thedford has 12.4 PPG with 3.8 RPG while Khristian Lander has 12.1 PPG with 3.7 RPG. Tyrone Marshall Jr. has 10.5 PPG with 6.6 RPG and to round out the scoring in double figures for WKU so far this year. Enoch Kalambay has 8.1 PPG with 4.1 RPG while Jalen Jackson has a team-high 2.1 APG to lead the Hilltoppers in assists this season. As a team, Western Kentucky is averaging 75.3 PPG on 42.4% shooting from the field, 33.5% from three, and 72.5% from the foul line this season.

Why the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will win

• Florida International has lost 14 of its last 16 games.
• Western Kentucky has won 12 of its last 13 Tuesday games.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of Florida International’s last eight night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Five of Western Kentucky’s last six games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 144+ points.

FIU vs. Western Kentucky Prediction

I’m with Western Kentucky here. The Hilltoppers had some inconsistency down the stretch, but it was better than FIU, who were consistently poor if we’re being 100% honest. The Panthers really struggled in a lot of non-home games this season and aren’t necessarily a team I’m going out of my way to back in general but especially on the road and on a neutral floor. WKU is better than their record would indicate in my opinion, and I think they show that in a win and cover in this game. Give me WKU laying the points.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Western Kentucky -4.5