Men's Basketball 11/9/2017 12:00:00 PM

RADFORD OPENS SEASON AGAINST GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN

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GAME INFORMATION

SETTING THE STAGE

Friday's contest marks the official beginning of the 2017-18 season for the Radford men's basketball program
The Highlanders are looking to improve upon their 14-18 record and Big South semifinal appearance last season
A win over GSW would give Radford its first 1-0 record since the 2015-16 season when the Highlanders upset Georgetown, 82-80, in double overtime

SERIES HISTORY

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 0-0 (0-0 Big South)
The Dedmon Center and its faithful fans give the Highlanders a certified home court advantage. Radford men's basketball has had a winning record at home each of the last five seasons, posting a combined record of 46-23 since the 2012-13 campaign
Junior forward Ed Polite, Jr. will take the court in a regular season game for the first time since being named Second Team All-Big South in the preseason
All five starters from last season – Christian Bradford, Donald Hicks, Justin Cousin, Ed Polite, Jr. and Randy Phillips – are back this winter and ready to take the next step
Radford took on West Virginia State in a preseason exhibition and came out on top, 106-81
It was the first time the Highlanders have surpassed the 100-plus point mark in a single game since the 2015 season. Six different players had double-digit scoring efforts

SCOUTING THE HURRICANES

Record: 0-0 (0-0 PBC)
Georgia Southwestern is a Division II school currently playing in the Peach Belt Conference
The Hurricanes already have a statement win under their belts, topping Troy, 88-87, in overtime during a preseason exhibition. The Trojans were an NCAA Tournament team a year ago
The Hurricanes also defeated Middle Georgia State, 69-53, in preseason play
GSW's top four scorers from the 2016-17 season – Brandon Price (17.7ppg), Tyrone Wooten (15.1ppg), Cameron Dozier (14.3ppg) and Tevin Wise (9.2ppg) are no longer on the roster
Head Coach Ben Hicks has brought on nine new players to fill out his squad with three men returning from last season. Devin Watson is the top returner from the Hurricanes' 7-19 season a year ago
Junior guard R.J. Sessions dropped 30 points to lead the Hurricanes while fellow junior guard Dajion Macklien added 17 points off the bench in GSW's victory over Troy
It was forwards Andre Statam and Hasaan Buggs who led the Hurricanes over the Knights in their second exhibition game, pouring in 24 and 19 points respectively