RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team has returned home from Mexico just in time to host Notre Dame of Maryland at the Dedmon Center on Sunday afternoon.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Notre Dame of Maryland Gators (0-3, 0-0 United East)
Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Radford, Va. (Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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Tickets: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
This is the first-ever meeting between Radford and Notre Dame of Maryland.
 
SCOUTING THE GATORS
The Notre Dame of Maryland program is just beginning its inaugural season of competition and head coach TJ Jordan has been tasked with getting the Gators off to a strong start. With a roster made up of seven freshmen and eight transfers, Sunday's matchup is all about gaining experience before play begins in the United East Conference (Division III).
 
An 0-3 start for the Gators can primarily be attributed to below-average output on offense. Notre Dame of Maryland is averaging 60.7 points per game on 34.8% shooting, including a 27.6% clip from three-point range.
 
Freshman guard K'Won Johnson has been a standout so far, averaging 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. In his last outing, the Baltimore City product posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards in a one-point defeat to York College (NY).
 
FULLPROOF PLAN
When you get into the nitty gritty of statistics over the last three years, plenty of trends emerge that point towards success for the Highlanders. For example, under Head Coach Darris Nichols, Radford is 27-8 when leading at halftime, 24-14 when out-rebounding the opponent, and 22-14 when winning the turnover battle. But there are only two stats that, when met, have the Highlanders playing undefeated basketball.
 
In 72 games with Coach Nichols at the helm, the Highlanders are 14-0 when scoring 80+ points and 15-0 when holding opponents between 50-59 points. The team will have a chance to build on those numbers against the Gators on Sunday.
 
TRUTH & TJ
With Kenyon Giles joining the starting lineup this season, the Highlanders have been looking for more production from its bench to begin the year. As of late, it has been Truth Harris and TJ NeSmith who have stepped up in the Highlanders' second unit.
 
Harris, a junior guard who transferred in from Indian Hill Community College, averaged 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 58.3% from the field and 66.7% from deep in the team's last two games. NeSmith, who made his way to the NRV from Lenoir-Rhyne, is shooting 72.7% overall and has his averages up to 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game after a clutch 14-point, 7-rebound performance in the Cancun Challenge title game.
 
HOME PROMOTIONS SCHEDULE


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.