BASKETBALL SEASON TIPS OFF FRIDAY NIGHT IN RICHMOND

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Coming off a 22-win season with all five starters returning and 12 letterwinners in all, Radford head coach Mike Jones and the Highlanders have expectations running high in the New River Valley on the eve of the season opener at Richmond. The Highlanders and Spiders will renew a series that has been dormant since the 2006-07 season at the Robins Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

THE SERIES
Radford is just 2-16 in the all-time series, which began in the 1980-81 season. The Highlanders, however, won the last matchup between these schools with a 67-50 victory at the Robins Center. That is the only win RU has on UR's home court (1-12 all-time). The only other Highlander win came at the Dedmon Center in the 1996-97 season, 67-62.

FOLLOW THE GAME
Fans can follow the contest at the live stats link provided above, and can listen on-line for free at the live audio link above.

SCOUTING THE SPIDERS
Kendall Anthony (15.9 ppg) is the top returning scorer for the Spiders, who finished 19-14 a year ago and lost in the second round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament to VCU. Terry Allen also averaged in double figures (10.2 ppg), and ShawnDre' Jones is the top rebounder (6.4 rpg). The Spiders are picked to finish fifth in the league's preseason coaches poll.

THE HIGHLANDERS
In each of its past two seasons, Radford has improved its win total by seven and nine games, respectively. The Highlanders are predicted third in the Big South Conference heading into the 2014-15 campaign. RU returns eight players who have made at least one career start.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
Javonte Green is the top career returning scorer (1,386 points) in the Big South, which is also good for seventh all-time in Radford history. He is just the 23rd play in league history to surpass the 700-rebound mark with 757 for his career. A two-time All-Big South selection (2nd team as a sophomore and 1st team as a junior), Green last year set the single season steals record at RU with 68.

NAME YOUR PRICE
R.J. Price is currently 14th all-time at Radford with 1,226 career points. He ranks fourth in 3-point field goals with 221 and eighth in assists with 294 for his career.

BLOCK PARTY
Jalen Carethers ranks ninth all-time at RU with 87 career blocked shots. Brandon Holcomb and Green rank just outside the top 10 ledger with 65 and 60, respectively for their careers.

ON THE HORIZON
After tipping off the seaon Friday at Richmond, the Highlanders remain on the road in the Commonwealth for a Monday tilt at James Madison. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. in Harrisonburg.

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