Brian Beard, FIU’s 5-10 senior point guard, ranked first in Conference USA and fifth in the nation last season with 2.9 steals per game, But those thefts may be harder to come by this year.
Opponents will surely be wary of Beard.
“I’m going to have to raise my level even higher this year,” said Beard, who also averaged 16.4 points last season, ranking ninth in Conference USA. “I have to let people know I’m still going to get steals.”
Those takeaways will likely start immediately as FIU starts its first season under new coach Jeremy Ballard on Wednesday at home against Webber International.