New College (FL) vs Florida International prediction: Joey Cantens opens his FIU tenure against NAIA New College
The scoreboard matters less than the first look at what a new coach does with a rebuilt FIU roster.
- FIU should control an NAIA visitor at home; the real interest is how Cantens's first rotation shapes up.
- Watch FIU's new transfers, including Ramone Seals and Jaylin Payne, in their first regular-season minutes at FIU.
- No spread or total is posted. Last season FIU played at the 14th-fastest pace in Division I, a total-relevant baseline under a new coach.
A new coach's first night
FIU closed 2025-26 at 15-17 with an 8-12 Conference USA mark, and the program moved on. Joey Cantens, 39, was hired in March from Daytona State as the 10th head coach in FIU history. This Nov. 2 home date with New College is his first regular-season game in charge, after an exhibition against Murray State scheduled for Oct. 22.
New College is an NAIA program in The Sun Conference, not a Division I opponent, and there is no data on it here. That makes this a night to evaluate FIU rather than handicap a matchup.
What last season's FIU did
Last season's numbers describe a different coach and a reshuffled roster, so treat them as a loose guide. That FIU team ran, playing at 72.4 possessions per 40 minutes, 14th-fastest of 365 teams. Its defense hunted the ball, forcing turnovers on 20.6% of opponent possessions (28th), and it blocked 13.3% of opponent two-point tries (23rd).
The weak spots were real: a defensive rebound rate of 66.4% ranked 326th, and the team made just 68.9% of its free throws (303rd). Last season's final adjusted net rating, points scored minus allowed per 100 possessions adjusted for opponents, was -2.1, 194th nationally.
Roster churn to track
The roster has turned over. Listed incoming transfers include Ramone Seals from Kennesaw State, Jaylin Payne from Longwood, Corey Caulker from East Carolina and Andreas Holst, who did not appear in a game as an Oklahoma freshman last season. Ashton Williamson entered the portal in April. Eric Dibami's status is unclear: he reportedly entered the portal but still appears on roster pages. Freshmen Aydan Clinton and Thiago Sucatzky are also listed.
No injury or eligibility news has surfaced for either team, and that should be read as unconfirmed rather than a clean bill of health.
Where the money is on New College (FL) vs Florida International
On the Kalshi moneyline: New College (FL): 86% of bets, 1% of the money; Florida International: 14% of bets, 99% of the money.
Numbers that matter
| FIU pace, last season | 72.4 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 14th of 365, a fast baseline for a new staff to keep or change. |
|---|---|---|
| FIU forced turnover rate, last season | 20.6% | Ranked 28th, a pressure profile that was among the best in Division I last season. |
| FIU defensive rebound %, last season | 66.4% | Ranked 326th, the clearest weakness Cantens inherits. |
| FIU adjusted net, last season | -2.1 | Final 2025-26 rating, 194th of 365, before the coaching change. |
New College (FL) vs Florida International: quick answers
When is New College (FL) vs Florida International?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.
Where is the money on New College (FL) vs Florida International?
On the Kalshi moneyline: New College (FL): 86% of bets, 1% of the money; Florida International: 14% of bets, 99% of the money.