Men's Basketball 11/1/2018 12:00:00 PM

MEN'S BASKETBALL WELCOMES WASHINGTON AND LEE TO DEDMON CENTER FOR PRESEASON EXHIBITION

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team will get a chance to knock off some rust when it welcomes Washington and Lee to the Dedmon Center of Friday, Nov. 2 for a preseason exhibition.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Washington and Lee Generals (0-0, 0-0 ODAC)
Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.
Location: Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)
Live stats
No live video or audio stream available
*Admission is free*

SERIES HISTORY
Friday's exhibition match marks the first time Radford men's basketball will meet Washington and Lee on the hardwood.

LOFTY EXPECTATIONS
The Highlanders enter the 2018-19 season with some extremely high expectations following their incredible run to the NCAA Tournament a season ago. After being picked seventh in the 2017-18 Big South Preseason Poll, Radford finished second in the regular season standings, won the conference tournament in dramatic fashion, and defeated LIU Brooklyn for the first NCAA Tournament win in program history.

With that historic season fresh in the mind of voters, Radford was picked to finish first in the 2018-19 Big South Preseason Poll. Senior forward Ed Polite Jr. was named to the Preseason All-Big South First Team while redshirt sophomore guard Carlik Jones was selected for the Preseason All-Big South Second Team.

Outside publications such as Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, the Blue Ribbon Yearbook, Mid-Major Madness and others are also tabbing Radford to retake the Big South title. All eyes will be on the Highlanders as they try to duplicate last season's success while maintaining the underdog mentality that carried them throughout.

STRONG RETURNING CORE
The Highlanders may not be returning all five starters from last season, but there is no doubt that a strong core of players is returning to the floor for Head Coach Mike Jones and his staff.

Ed Polite Jr., Devonnte Holland and Leroy Butts IV will carry the load in the front court. Their combination of size, physicality and athleticism will give opponents fits on both ends of the floor.

Carlik Jones and Travis Fields Jr. could very well take big leaps forward in their second season for Radford while Donald Hicks and Caleb Tanner will bring some valuable veteran leadership and sharpshooting skills to the backcourt.

Also not to be overlooked is the coaching staff, which returns every assistant coach from last season: Ron Jirsa, David Boyden and Donny Lind.

TALENTED NEWCOMERS
To supplement the returners, Coach Jones and company recruited five talented players to join the Highlanders. Graduate transfer Mawdo Sallah should make an immediate impact at center after gaining Division I experience with Mount St. Mary's and Kansas State.

JUCO transfer Devin Hutchinson brings excellent length and shooting ability to the wing, plus freshman duo Cle'von Greene and Josiah Jeffers should help with guard depth as they continue to grow.

Lewis Djonkam, a 6'9" center from VCU, will have to redshirt due to NCAA transfer rules, but John Caldwell will get to see the floor for the first time as a Highlander after redshirting last season.

SCOUTING THE GENERALS
Washington and Lee, a Division III school, is coming off a solid 2017-18 season that ended with a 17-10 overall record and an 11-5 record in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Generals earned the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament, but were knocked out by Roanoke College in the semifinals.

Head Coach Chris McHugh will have a big hole to fill now that two-time All-ODAC First Team forward Clayton Murtha has graduated. The Generals do return senior guard Devin Kearns and senior forward Roy McMillan, who were named to the 2017-18 All-ODAC First and Third teams respectively.

The Generals, who were picked to finish sixth in the 2018-19 ODAC Preseason Poll, have traditionally preferred to play an up-tempo and high scoring game. Last season, W&L averaged 82.9 points per game, but gave up 78.8 to opponents.

NEXT HOME GAME
Radford kicks off the 2018-19 regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. when Davis & Elkins comes to the Dedmon Center. Season tickets, flex plans and individual game tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit RadfordAthletics.com and RadfordTickets.com.

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordMBB on Twitter, 'radfordmbb' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Donald Hicks: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#15 Devonnte Holland: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#1 Carlik Jones: G; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Caleb Tanner: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#13 Leroy Butts IV: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#12 John Caldwell: G; 6' 5"; Junior

#0 Devin Hutchinson: G; 6' 5"; Junior

#3 Cle'von Greene: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#4 Josiah Jeffers: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#20 Mawdo Sallah: F/C; 6' 8"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#5 Donald Hicks
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: G

#15 Devonnte Holland
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#1 Carlik Jones
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#10 Caleb Tanner
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#13 Leroy Butts IV
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#12 John Caldwell
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

#0 Devin Hutchinson
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

#3 Cle'von Greene
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#4 Josiah Jeffers
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#20 Mawdo Sallah
: 6' 8"; Graduate Student
: F/C

Radford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned