RADFORD, Va. – Coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to UNC Asheville this past weekend, Radford heads to High Point in search of a bounce-back win on Wednesday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: High Point Panthers (8-11, 2-3 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 26^th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Qubein Center (High Point, N.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch Live on ESPN+
Listen Live with Rick Watson on 101.7 WRAD
Get Updates with Live Stats

SERIES HISTORY
In exactly 50 meetings with High Point, the Highlanders own a 29-21 all-time record, including a 25-17 advantage in Big South games. The two sides went head-to-head for the very first time with a two-game series in 1980 and did not play again until 1999.
 
Four of the last 10 matchups between the Panthers and Highlanders have gone to overtime and Radford is currently riding a four-game winning streak.
 
Most recently, Radford earned an 81-70 victory at the end of the 2019-20 season. Carlik Jones went off for 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds while Josiah Jeffers chipped in 12 points of his own. The Highlanders shot an eye-opening 60.5% from the field and 50.0% from three while holding the Panthers to a 40.0% clip overall.
 
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Coming into the season, everyone knew that John-Michael Wright was the player to watch for High Point this season. What they didn't know was that Batman would find his Robin in redshirt freshman forward Zack Austin. Wright is averaging 20 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game as one of the nation's most dangerous scorers while Austin has given the Panthers a second star with 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.
 
High Point, as a team, ranks 22^nd with 5.2 blocks per game but doesn't necessarily excel in any other statistical category. Free throws have been an especially difficulty for the Panthers this season, as they rank 342^nd in the nation at just 62.1% from the line.
 
The 2021-22 season marks the Panthers' first year playing in the brand new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center so Radford will be entering new territory on Wednesday. High Point currently leads the Big South conference in attendance with an average of 2,647 fans per game.
 
NOTABLE CAREER-HIGHS
There have been numerous career-best performances from Highlanders this season. Here are some of the most notable:
 
Josiah Jeffers – 23 points – at USC Upstate
Josiah Jeffers – 7 assists – vs. Kentucky Christian
Josiah Jeffers – 6 rebounds – at West Virginia and vs. Longwood
Josiah Jeffers – 4 steals – at Virginia Tech and vs. N.C. A&T
Rashun Williams – 18 points – vs. UNC Asheville
Rashun Williams – 10 rebounds – vs. Eastern Kentucky
Camron McNeil – 17 points – vs. Emory & Henry
Shaquan Jules – 14 rebounds – vs. Hampton
Bryan Hart – 18 points – vs. Longwood
Dravon Mangum – 17 points – vs. N.C. A&T
Xavier Lipscomb – 7 assists – at JMU
Xavier Lipscomb – 4 steals – vs. Emory & Henry
 
LEGENDARY OPPOSITION
In his very first season, Radford men's basketball head coach Darris Nichols has faced off against some of the most well-known coaches in all of college basketball. With the likes of Bob Huggins, Tony Bennett, and now Tubby Smith, he is getting a first-hand look at how some of the very best in the game get it done. In fact, those three men have combined for 1,924 career wins. 

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.