RADFORD, Va. – The eighth-seeded Radford men's basketball team drew the ninth-seeded North Carolina A&T Aggies in the first round of the Big South Championships.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: #9 North Carolina A&T (11-19, 6-10 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 2^nd at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Bojangles Coliseum (Charlotte, N.C.)

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BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT BRACKET

 
HIGHLANDERS IN FIRST TOURNEY GAMES
In 33 games played in either the first round or the quarterfinals in program history, Radford men's basketball has fared well in the first game of the Big South Tournament. The Highlanders are 20-13 all-time in their first postseason game each year.
 
RADFORD'S ON A ROLL
The Highlanders had plenty of ups and downs this season, but there is no doubt that they're heading into the Big South Tournament playing their best basketball. Radford ended the regular season with four wins in five games, including victories over #10 Hampton, #6 Campbell, #7 High Point, and #9 N.C. A&T. The one loss came at top-seeded Longwood.
 
Across those five games, Radford has held opponents to just 61.8 points per game and won the battle of the boards by a +1.6 margin. The Highlanders have also recorded a +4.4 turnover margin thanks to 7.4 steals per game.
 
Rashun Williams is averaging 12.2 points and 3.4 rebounds while Artese Stapleton has stepped up to the tune of 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Josiah Jeffers adds a third scoring punch with 11.4 points per game over those five games and Chyree Walker has returned to top form with 7.3 rebounds per game.

SERIES HISTORY
Radford owns a 9-3 record against N.C. A&T, dating back to Dec. 8, 1988 when the Highlanders defeated the Aggies, 84-68. The Highlanders are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings and are 2-0 in neutral site games.
 
The two sides just met in the regular season finale, with the Highlanders taking a 62-53 victory in Greensboro. Radford's Rashun Williams and A&T's Marcus Watson led all players with 15 points apiece, but the Highlanders dominated on the boards, 47-34.
 
Wednesday's game marks the first – and last – time Radford and North Carolina A&T will face off in the Big South Tournament with the Aggies set to join the Colonial Athletic Conference this summer.
 
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
After starting conference play at 4-1, and quickly looking like a contender for the Big South title in their first season in the league, the Aggies have struggled as of late. N.C. A&T concluded its regular season with four straight loses and have dropped five of their last six, with the lone win being a two-point victory at UNC Asheville.
 
Scoring is a team affair for the Aggies, who receive multiple points per game from 14 different players. Marcus Watson (11.8) and Demetric Horton (10.7) lead the way, while Kameron Langley makes the entire thing go with his Big South-leading 136 assists.
 
The Aggies rank 38^th in the nation with 237 steals and 79^th with a turnover margin of 1.7. They also crash the boards hard on every shot, and subsequently rank 67^th in the country with 11.53 offensive rebounds per game.

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.