RADFORD, Va. – Members of Highlander Nation will get their very first look at the 2022-23 edition of the Radford men's basketball team when Mary Baldwin comes to town for an exhibition on Tuesday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Mary Baldwin
Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
Location: Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Admission to the game is free! Live stats and a video stream will not be available.

SERIES HISTORY
Tuesday night's contest marks the first-ever meeting between Radford and Mary Baldwin.
 
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING SQUIRRELS
Mary Baldwin has one of the newest men's basketball programs in the country, hiring head coach Matt Griggs to lead the first-ever team in December of 2019. The Fighting Squirrels — members of the USA South conference — began play in 2020-21 and completed their first full schedule in 2021-22 when they went 8-13 overall and 7-7 in conference play. They will return three players from last year's starting lineup, including US South Rookie of the Year Vernon Fraley.
 
FIVE STAR ALL-AMERICAN PICKS RADFORD
Former five-star prospect and 2019 McDonald's All-American Bryan Antoine transferred out of the illustrious Villanova program and chose Radford as his new home. Antoine rose to national prominence while playing at the Ranney School, ranking as the No. 15 player in the Class of 2019 by ESPN and No. 16 by 247Sports. The Tinton Falls, N.J. native averaged 20 or more points per game in all four of his seasons at Ranney, while playing alongside Scottie Lewis who went on to play for now-Radford head coach Darris Nichols at the University of Florida.
 
OTHER NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
The Highlanders brought in plenty more talent in their effort to reload, tapping the transfer market several more times. DaQuan Smith (Murray State) was the first to commit to Radford, reuniting with former Murray State assistant coach Shane Nichols. Radford then quickly added Souleymane Koureissi (Richmond), Onyebuchi Ezeakudo (Pittsburgh), and Madiaw Niang (Florida Atlantic). Japanese youth star Ibu Yamazaki and sharpshooting point guard Kenyon Giles were also courted to become a Highlanders, upping the talent level in the blink of an eye.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD
While the Highlanders' coaching staff remains the same as a year ago, the roster of players at their disposal will look almost entirely different. Thirteen of the 16 players on the 2021-22 squad have left the program, leaving just Josiah Jeffers, Shaquan Jules, and Derrick Jones, Jr. back for another run. Dravon Mangum (Louisiana Tech), Lewis Djonkam (Morgan State) and Xavier Lipscomb (Mount St. Mary's) are the only three players who have left to continue playing at the Division I level, while all other former players either graduated or found themselves playing at the D2, D3, or JUCO level.

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.