RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team welcome the Hampton Pirates to Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center for a midweek conference clash, presented by Copper Beech Townhomes.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Hampton Pirates (4-9, 0-2 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 19^th at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center (Radford, Va.)

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SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders own a 9-5 lead in the all-time series against the Pirates, dating back to a 77-68 victory in Hampton on Jan. 7, 2000. After joining the Big South Conference for the 2018-19 season, Carlik Jones gave HU a less-than-kind welcome as he hit buzzer-beating threes to both force overtime and win the game.
 
Radford and Hampton clashed in the Big South Tournament Quarterfinals last season, with the Highlanders earning a 67-52 win to advance. Shaquan Jules went off for 15 points and 10 rebounds while Lewis Djonkam and Dravon Mangum added 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Pirates had a tough day shooting the ball, posting a 33.3 field goal percentage that including a 16.7% clip from three-point range.
 
SCOUTING THE PIRATES
There's no denying that the Pirates have struggled this season after losing the elite firepower that Jermaine Marrow, Ben Stanley, and Davion Warren provided over the last couple of years. Just two of the Pirates' four wins have come against Division I competition and both of those victories were decided by a single point.
 
Now, HU will have to come into Radford and shake off the rust that may be present as a result of four games being either cancelled or postponed in the last month. A grad transfer from Nicholls State, Najee Garvin, is averaging a team-high 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game through 13 games played and there's no doubt the Pirates will look to him to set the tone on Wednesday night.
 
As a team, Hampton ranks 25^th in the nation for fewest turnovers and 14^th in three-point field goal defense, holding opposing teams to 27.5% shooting. On the flip side, their own 27.4% mark from three ranks 340^th in the nation and as a result, the 9.8 assists the Pirates are dishing out per game also ranks near the bottom of the country.
 
FREE THROWS AREN'T FREE
With a team free throw percentage of .667 through 16 games this season, the Highlanders have been working hard on focusing at the charity stripe and finding a consistent shot. There's no denying that work has paid off as of late, with Radford posting a .750 (66-88) free throw percentage in its last five games.
 
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
As we've noted before, turnovers were a major issue for the Highlanders during non-conference season. Radford was giving the ball away 17.2 times per game, making it one of the biggest culprits of turnovers in the country. That's all changed in conference play, however. Through four Big South games, the Highlanders have committed just 12.0 turnovers per game, including a season-low eight times at Campbell.
 
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.