Men's Basketball 12/20/2022 9:24:00 AM

Highlanders Wrap Up Non-Conference Play at Kansas State

RADFORD, Va. – The Highlanders wrap up non-conference play with a midweek matinee at Kansas State.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Kansas State Wildcats (10-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bramlage Coliseum (Manhattan, Kansas)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Watch: CLICK HERE (ESPN+)
Listen: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7 FM)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the first meeting between Radford and Kansas State in program history.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The 2022-23 Kansas State Wildcats are good, y'all. Now 10-1 to start the program's debut season under first-time head coach Jerome Tang, the Wildcats have the 13^th best winning percentage in the country and boast one of the best defenses around. Not bad for a team picked to finish dead last in the Big 12.

K-State is allowing just 60.5 points per game (24^th in the nation), holding opponents to 41.6% shooting from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. Scoring chances can be hard to come by thanks to more than 17 forced turnovers per game. The Wildcats put up 75.3 points per contest on the other end, with 18.3 assists per game that ranks 12^th in the country.

Senior guard Markquis Nowell is the engine that makes the team run, dishing out 8.1 assists per game – the second-most of any player in the nation. His biggest beneficiary is senior forward Keyontae Johnson, who is averaging a team-high 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds as part of an amazing story that started in his time at Florida where Darris Nichols helped coach him.

GET TO THE LINE
There are plenty of stats and trends to look at from this season and claim are the ultimate key to success for the Highlanders. For example, Radford is 4-1 when outrebounding its opponent and 6-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage. But only one stat has been a perfect indicator so far: free throw attempts.

Through 12 games, the Highlanders are a perfect 6-0 when taking more free throws than the opposition and 0-6 when they get to the line less. It's clearly going to be crucial that the team plays disciplined defense to avoid bad fouls while also being aggressive on offense and getting plenty of opportunities at the charity stripe.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Shaquan Jules had one double-double in his entire Division I career entering this season, but after contributing 11 points and 11 rebounds at Eastern Kentucky he has three this season alone. First-year Highlander Justin Archer has gotten better and better as the year has gone on and he rewarded the coaches with a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double at EKU as well.

It was the first time two Highlanders have had a double-double in the same game since Carlik Jones and Ed Polite, Jr. did it against LIU Brooklyn in the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

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.

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