RADFORD, Va. – A historically successful non-conference schedule comes to a close as the Radford men's basketball team visits Clemson on Friday night.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: #18 Clemson Tigers (10-1, 1-0 ACC)
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Clemson, S.C. (Littlejohn Coliseum)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Streaming: CLICK HERE (ACC Network Extra/ESPN+)
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Radio: CLICK HERE (WRAD 101.7/103.5 FM)
Tickets: CLICK HERE

SERIES HISTORY
With one meeting set in each of the 1980's, 1990's, 2000's and 2010's, the Highlanders are 0-4 all-time against Clemson. All four games have been played in the Tigers' home arena.
 
The first three games in the series were all lopsided in favor of Clemson, but Radford nearly earned a win when the two sides met on Dec. 15, 2018. Carlik Jones (18 points, 5 assists) and Ed Polite, Jr. (16 points, 10 rebounds) paced the Highlanders in a contest that was just one possession apart up until the final minute.
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson is one of the very best teams in the nation and could arguably be the Highlanders toughest challenge to date this season.
 
Now in Head Coach Brad Brownell's 14^th season running the program, the Tigers have built a veteran squad that can win games in any number of ways. With a 10-1 record that includes wins over Alabama, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, TCU and many more stout opponents, Clemson has only fallen to Memphis, in a 79-77 heavyweight battle on the road.
 
The Tigers are the 10^th-best team in the nation as it pertains to assist/turnover ratio (1.73) and 22^nd in effective field goal percentage (56.7%). They're shooting 39.4% from three-point range and get it done on the defensive end with 5.2 blocks per contest.
 
A senior center standing at 6'10", PJ Hall has entered the conversation as a first round NBA draft pick thanks to 20.8 points and 6.8 boards per game. Joseph Girard III transferred in from Syracuse and flanks Hall with 14.8 points and a team-high 3.7 assists per game. 
 
RANKED OPPONENTS
With the latest AP Poll ranking the Clemson Tigers as the 18^th-best team in the nation, the Highlanders will be playing their third ranked opponent of the season. Three nationally-ranked foes in one season is the most in program history, with the previous high being just two.
 
Neither James Madison nor Clemson were ranked to begin the season as Radford's 2023-24 slate originally featured one ranked opponent - #19 North Carolina – who is now up to #9. The only win over a ranked opponent in program history came on Nov. 30, 2018 in a 62-59 victory over #17 Texas.
 
CLOSE CALLS
Winning close games is never easy, as evidenced by the Highlanders' battle with West Virginia just before the holidays. The 66-65 victory was Radford's first 1-point win since defeating Longwood, 67-66, on Dec. 14, 2020. The last one before that? A memorable 69-68 triumph over JMU on Nov. 25, 2017.
 
Radford is now 8-7 in games decided by three points or less under Head Coach Darris Nichols, and 1-2 this season.

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford men's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordHoops on Twitter, 'radfordhoops' on Instagram or Radford Men's Basketball on Facebook.