Florida International Panthers

24-25 Record: 11-19 (7-11)

Head Coach: Jesyka Burks-Wiley (6th season), fresh off a contract extension, leads a squad that finished 7-11 in league play last year. She played pro ball in Romania, Finland, Portugal, and Belgium before switching to coaching, so there have been some bumps in the road. Obviously, the university sees progress. Her records include a 15-13 debut season (2020-21), the team's first winning campaign since 2012-13, and a 21-12 mark in 2023-24. Burks-Wiley teams wind up sneaking up on a few favored teams per season; it’s just a matter of how many. Even in down years, FIU can expect not to be a dumpster fire.

Parris Atkins is this year’s fuel, acting as the offensive spark plug and point of attack defender. In her first season with the Panthers, she averaged 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.4 steals (4th in CUSA) per game, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 75.3% from the free throw line. The 5'9" guard's elite defensive instincts make her a nightmare in passing lanes. Her ability to convert turnovers into transition opportunities will be critical for FIU's uptempo attack. If the Panthers are to return to their 21-win form of 2023-24, Atkins must continue her trajectory as a complete player.

That 28.6% mark from beyond the arc is concerning, but FIU needs Atkins getting downhill more often than not as it is. That’s the only way for everyone else to get open looks. Fellow returnees Fantasia James, Claudia Marina, and Judit Valero. After earning a spot on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, James is primed for a larger role.

James provides the perfect complement to Atkins in the backcourt. The redshirt sophomore guard made significant strides in her first year of action, earning CUSA All-Freshman Team recognition and a Freshman of the Week honor. James' breakout 18-point, 9-rebound performance against UTEP in a marathon 38-minute effort showcased her two-way potential. She also brings versatility and defensive presence in a 5-foot-9 package, averaging 0.9 blocks per game. Her 16-point effort against Jacksonville State further proved she can shoulder scoring responsibility.

After a redshirt season to develop her game, James is primed for a sophomore leap that could see her emerge as FIU's second-leading scorer. Valero led the team in three-point shooting last season, though. Marina has shown flashes of promise as well. In a matchup against Jacksonville State last season, she started and knocked down two three-pointers and collected eight rebounds.

Marina’s shooting touch and ability to stretch the floor give FIU an extra dimension offensively. If she can improve consistency, especially defensively and in terms of strength inside, she becomes a valuable “3-and-4” forward who can slide off-ball, hit open shots, and help secure defensive rebounds. Then there could be a battle for who has the most 20-point nights this season. As Marlo Stanfield famously stated in The Wire, “That sounds like one of those good problems.”

Rhema Collins arrives from Ole Miss with SEC experience and an impressive pedigree. The Bahamian forward showed flashes during her sophomore season with the Rebels, including a career-high 12-point performance against Tennessee State. At 6'0", Collins provides size and athleticism that FIU lacked last season. Her five-rebound performances against Boston College and Tennessee State demonstrated her ability to compete on the glass at the highest level. Collins' international experience, going back to representing the Bahamas at the 2019 Centrobasket U17 Women's Championship, brings a maturity that could prove invaluable. After limited minutes in the SEC, Collins should flourish with expanded opportunities in Conference USA.

5wins Crystal Ball Call: Burks-Wiley recreates some of that 2021 magic (21-12; 11-5) that led to a second CUSA Coach of the Year award. FIU makes a CUSA tourney run, but falls just short of the finals. Astrid Mukulumpe, a 6-foot-4 French international coming over from Mercer, makes it all possible with a breakout season.