RADFORD, Va. – The Highlanders play the latter half of an ACC doubleheader when they take on Virginia Tech inside Cassell Coliseum on Monday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
Date/Time: Monday, November 15^th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cassell Coliseum (Blacksburg, Va.)

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SERIES HISTORY
Despite their close proximity, Radford and Virginia Tech have only gone head-to-head 11 times over the years. The first-ever meeting came on Jan. 23, 1988 and the most recent was just last season, on Nov. 25, 2020.
 
The Hokies own an 9-2 advantage in the all-time series, but those two victories represent hope for a Highlander squad that has experienced success against high major teams in the past. Radford took down VT on its home floor in 1999 and then again in 2014 thanks to a 25-point outburst from R.J. Price.
 
SCOUTING THE HOKIES
Coming in at number five and collecting five first-place votes in the ACC Preseason Poll, the Hokies are one of several contenders for the conference crown this season. Star forward Keve Aluma earned a spot on the preseason All-ACC team and has been named to several award watch lists including the Karl Malone Award, Lute Olson Award, and Wooden Award.
 
Virginia Tech is off to a 2-0 start this year with home wins over Maine (82-47) and Navy (77-57). They're shooting a blistering 51.7% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range to go along with their 14.9% three-point defense which ranks 13^th in the nation.
 
Now in their third season under head coach Mike Young, the Hokies have a clear identity and sky-high expectations. An average of more than 5,000 fans have come out to Cassell for the first two games this year and the Highlanders can expect another raucous crowd for the New River Valley showdown on Monday night.
 
LAST TIME OUT
It was a tale of two halves as the Radford men's basketball team fell, 73-52, to the 25^th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers inside John Paul Jones Arena on Friday night. Radford and UVA both move to 1-1 on the season.

The Highlanders got into foul trouble early, specifically amongst their big men, and struggled to find a consistent presence inside all night long. That led to a 29-to-7 difference in free throw attempts, giving the hosts a massive advantage on a night where neither team shot particularly well from the field.
 
Bryan Hart led Radford with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including a pair of threes. Shaquan Jules added 10 points with a perfect 3-for-3 mark from the floor and 4-for-4 effort at the free throw line.

THIEF IN THE NIGHT
Sophomore guard Xavier Lipscomb has racked up the steals through two games, recording four in the season opener against Emory & Henry and then three more at #25 Virginia. He heads into Monday's game ranking 54^th in the nation for steals per game.

FAMILY TIES
Darris Nichols and Virginia Teach head coach Mike Young go way back. Nichols served as an assistant coach on Young's staff at Wofford for the 2013-14 season and his older brother Shane, who is now an assistant coach at Radford, both played for and coached with Young at Wofford as well.
 
Growing up, Nichols also knew Young's family closely. Young's aunt (Joann Lineburg) was his favorite P.E. teacher, his dad (Bob Young) was Nichols' middle school principal, and his cousin (Mark Lineburg) was Nichols' high school principal.
 
FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.