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Men's Basketball

Top Two Teams in the League Battle it Out on Thursday and Friday Night

RADFORD, Va. – The top two teams in the Big South Conference will meet on the hardwood Thursday and Friday night as the Radford men's basketball team welcomes Winthrop to the Dedmon Center. Thursday's game is set to begin at 6 p.m., while Friday's is slated for 7 p.m.
 
Radford (13-7, 12-2 Big South) enters currently in second place in the Big South standings, while Winthrop is first in league – just a game ahead of the Highlanders. Each team controls its own destiny and if the Highlanders win two, they will be alone in first place. The two teams sit atop the league in scoring and rebounding margin.
 
Even though the team is known for its defense, the Highlanders scored 102 points last time out against USC Upstate in a 102-66 victory. Radford scored the most first half points and the most second half points in a game all season, which led to a season-high of total points scored in a game. It's the first time the Highlanders have scored over the century mark since Feb. 7, 2019 at Hampton in a 101-98 win and the 102 points was the most against a Division I opponent since the 2013-14 season when Radford beat UNC Asheville, 102-92, on Feb. 13.
 
Dravon Mangum was noticed for his stellar play against the Spartans last week and was named Big South Player of the Week. He tallied 14.5 points per contest last week, shooting 10-of-16 from the floor (62.5 percent) and 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from long range. It was Radford's second conference weekly honor this season, as Fah'Mir Ali was named Freshman of the Week on Jan. 11. Mangum becomes the first Player of the week honoree since Feb. 3 of last year.
 
The Highlanders boast a double-double machine in Chyree Walker, who leads the league with four double-doubles this season. His most recent one came against USC Upstate on Feb. 4 with 12 points and 13 rebounds. His 8.0 rebounds per game leads the Big South.
 
However, Winthrop (16-1, 13-1 Big South) has a guy that has notched a pair of triple-doubles this season in Chandler Vaudrin. He leads the Eagles 12.7 points, 6.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game and he's the only player in the country with a pair of triple-doubles.
 
Vaudrin is one of three Eagles shooting over 40.0 percent from the floor – leading the team at 47.8. The other two are Charles Falden and Adonis Arms at 45.0 and 41.3 percent, respectively. Falden is second on the team in 3-point percentage at 33.8 percent, but Josh Corbin leads the team at 42.2 percent from long range and also has a team-best 27 3-point makes this season.
 
Winthrop has one of the highest winning percentages of any program in college basketball. They were one of the last unbeaten teams in the country until Jan. 29, when they dropped a 57-55 contest to UNC Asheville. The team had one of the longest unbeaten streaks in college basketball at 21 games, dating back to last season.
 
This will be the 80th and 81st meeting between Radford and Winthrop with the Highlanders leading the all-time series, 42-37. Radford won the last meeting between the two schools, 81-77, in Rock Hill, S.C., on this date one year ago. At home, the Highlanders have a 22-13 record against the Eagles. Radford is 6-4 over the last 10 meetings between the two schools, including wins in four of the last five meetings.
 
Not only will the Highlanders be tied for first place with a win on Thursday night, but Mike Jones will earn his 100th Big South victory.
 
Thursday's game can be seen on ESPN+, while Friday's game will be on ESPN3. Both contests can be heard on WRAD 101.7 FM or WVRU 89.9 FM.
 
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

Dravon Mangum

#20 Dravon Mangum

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Chyree Walker

#14 Chyree Walker

F
6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
Fah

#0 Fah'Mir Ali

G
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Dravon Mangum

#20 Dravon Mangum

6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Chyree Walker

#14 Chyree Walker

6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
F
Fah

#0 Fah'Mir Ali

5' 10"
Freshman
G