Men's Basketball 1/17/2023 2:15:00 PM

Fighting Camels Await Radford For Wednesday Night Contest

RADFORD, Va. – Radford puts its three-game winning streak on the line on Wednesday night against the Campbell Fighting Camels.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Campbell Fighting Camels (7-11, 2-4 Big South)
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Gore Arena (Buies Creek, N.C.)

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

SERIES HISTORY
Every game between Radford and Campbell is an absolute battle. Two of the top programs in the Big South over the years, the Highlanders and Fighting Camels have traded punches but its Radford who owns a 27-22 record to lead the all-time series.

Radford won each of the first five meetings in 1985 and 1986 before the Camels took their first victory in 1987. The Highlanders won six-straight games in the early 1990's and Campbell earned four straight wins between 2017 and 2018.

Last season featured two matchups to add to the series history, with Campbell winning the first one (70-58) and Radford winning the second one (71-67). Wednesday's contest will be the final time Radford plays at Campbell as conference foes, however, with the Fighting Camels set to leave for the Colonial Athletic Conference at the conclusion of the school year.

SCOUTING THE FIGHTING CAMELS
It's not very often you can look at the Big South standings and see Campbell closer to the bottom than the top. That's the case currently as the Fighting Camels are off to a 7-11 record that includes a 2-4 start to conference play.

Campbell's offense ranks 264^th in the nation and ninth out of 10 teams in the Big South, scoring just 68.2 points per game. It's not going much better on the defensive end either, as the Camels rank 307^th out of 363 teams as they allow a 45.9% shooting percentage by opponents.

Five different players have already attempted 100 or more field goals on the year, with preseason all-conference selection Ricky Clemons' 13.1 points per game leading the team. Jacksonville State transfer Jay Pal crashes the boards hard and is grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game, setting up a fun battle between him and Radford's Justin Archer and Shaquan Jules.

MOVING ON UP
The Highlanders were ranked just 295^th out of 363 teams in Ken Pomeroy's (KenPom) rankings prior to the season. After 19 games, Radford has made the third-highest jump of any team in the nation and now ranks 164^th, second in the Big South just behind Longwood. Overall, the Highlanders are the ninth-most improved team in the country according to KenPom's AdjEM metric.

SMITH'S SHARPSHOOTING
Redshirt junior guard DaQuan Smith has been solid for the Highlanders all season long, but his game has reached a new level in conference play. The Holly Springs, Miss. native ranks sixth in the Big South and 140^th in the nation in three-point field goals made (42) on exactly 100 attempts. That puts him at 42.0% on the year, which looks impressive until you realize he's shooting a blistering 62.7% (17-for-27) against Big South Competition.

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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