RADFORD, Va. – Radford makes the trip to Rock Hill, S.C. to take on long-time Big South rival, Winthrop, on Wednesday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Winthrop Eagles (15-8, 8-2 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 9^th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Winthrop Coliseum (Rock Hill, S.C.)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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SERIES HISTORY
As one of the longest-running rivalries in the Big South, the all-time series between Radford and Winthrop is full of close games and exciting moments. The Highlanders hold a narrow 42-39 advantage across 81 meetings, dating back to a 68-49 victory on Jan. 19, 1985.
 
Radford dominated at first, even winning seven straight games between 1991 and 1993. But the Eagles came on strong in the 2000's, coming out on top in 12 straight contests between 2003 and 2008. Winthrop also owns a 19-17 record on its home floor when playing its New River Valley foe.
 
The two programs met twice during the 2020-21 season, with the Eagles earning an 80-64 win in the first game and a 55-47 victory in the second. While both of those games took place in Radford, the Highlanders have actually won in each of their last two trips to Rock Hill.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The preseason favorites to represent the Big South in the NCAA Tournament are living up to the billing, playing to a 15-8 record overall and an 8-2 record in conference play to this point.
 
Tennessee Vols transfer D.J. Burns averages 16.1 points on 61.8% shooting to fuel a high-octane Eagles offense that scores 75.5 points per game. As a team, Winthrop ranks top-25 in the nation with a 48.1 shooting percentage from the field and top-35 in the country with a three-point percentage of 37.3%.
 
The one weakness that pokes through for Winthrop is its defense, which ranks 10^th in the Big South due to 71.6 points allowed per game. The Eagles only average 2.7 blocks per game and are one of five teams in the league with a negative turnover margin.
 
SPREADING THE LOVE
Coach Nichols and his staff have not been shy to give opportunities to every single player on the roster to show what they've got and the individual game stat leaders show that in spades. Thanks to 10 different starting lineup configurations through 22 games, the Highlanders have had 10 players score the team's first points, 11 players be the first called upon off the bench, 11 players lead the team in steals, and seven players lead the squad in scoring. Joshua Walker, who has seen limited minutes this year, even became the eight Radford player to lead the team in blocks in a game this year when he swatted a Presbyterian field goal attempt this past Saturday.
 
REMAINING GAMES
The Highlanders have just five games left after they play Winthrop to vie for seeding in the Big South Tournament:
 
Saturday, Feb. 12 – 5:30 p.m. – at Hampton
Wednesday, Feb. 16 – 6:30 p.m. – vs. Campbell
Saturday, Feb. 19 – 2:00 p.m. – vs. High Point
Wednesday, Feb. 23 – 7:00 p.m. – at Longwood
Saturday, Feb. 26 – 5:00 p.m. – at North Carolina A&T

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.