RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's basketball team puts its 3-0 home record to the test on Saturday when it welcomes N.C. Central to the Dedmon Center for the second consecutive year.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: N.C. Central Eagles (4-6, 0-0 MEAC)
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Radford, Va. (Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center)

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SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders and Eagles met for the very first time a year ago, with Radford coming out on top, 80-78.
 
Josiah Jeffers paced the home team with 18 points and four assists, but it was a complete team effort as five different Highlanders scored in double-figures, including Bryan Antoine, DaQuan Smith, and Justin Archer.
 
None of NC Central's top three scorers from last year's contest are on their 2023-24 roster.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Led by Head Coach LeVelle Moton, who is one of the most well-respected coaches in the nation and has amassed exactly 250 wins, the Eagles are always a threat to challenge for a MEAC title. 
 
After going 18-12 overall and 10-4 in conference play before falling to Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament semifinals a year ago, NCCU was voted to finish third in 2023-24. They have gone 4-6 in non-conference action so far, earning wins over Campbell and Coastal Carolina, but also falling to familiar opponents like Longwood and USC Upstate.
 
The Eagles have a true three-headed monster in their lineup, made up of Po'Boigh King (14.4 ppg), Ja'Darius Harris (13.9 ppg) and Fred Cleveland Jr. (13.6), the latter of which was a Preseason Third Team All-MEAC selection. As a team, they rank 20^th in the nation with 9.7 steals per game and push the pace with 14.9 fast break points per contest, good for 44^th in the country.
 
FIRST NET RANKINGS
The first NCAA NET Rankings of the 2023-24 season were revealed on Monday, Dec. 4 and the Highlanders checked in at 194^th out of 362 teams at the Division I level. The NET Rankings consider many factors, but one of them is strength of schedule, which gave Radford the 107^th hardest slate in the nation thus far.
 
At 194, Radford stands fourth in the Big South behind just Longwood (102), High Point (116) and Gardner-Webb (154).
 
NOTABLE HOMESTAND
Saturday's game marks Radford's second game and a three-game homestand. That may not seem particularly notable, until you look at who the opponents are.
 
With Elon, N.C. Central, and VMI all visiting the Dedmon Center, the Highlanders are hosting three or more consecutive Division I opponents at the Dedmon Center for the first time since 2015 when JMU, Liberty, Virginia Tech and UNCW all made the trip.
 
That season, however, featured a pair of road games in between. If you search for the last time Radford had three straight home games against DI opposition with no road games interrupting the homestand, you have to go all the way back to 2003 when Akron, American and Marshall came to the New River Valley.
 
FROM FRIEND TO FOE
In the transfer portal era of college athletics, it's not unusual for players to find a new home and end up playing their old one. That's exactly what will happen on Saturday when NC Central junior guard Keishon Porter returns to the Dedmon Center.
 
One of the highest-rated recruits to join the program under Head Coach Mike Jones, Porter represented the Highlanders for the 2020-21 season and part of the 2021-22 season before making his way to Cape Fear Community College. He has returned to the Division I level is playing well for the Eagles, averaging 5.3 points and 2.8 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.