RADFORD, Va. – The Radford men's hoops squad returns home to host Presbyterian during Alumni Weekend at the Dedmon Center.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Presbyterian Blue Hose (9-12, 1-5 Big South)
Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Radford, Va. (Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center)

FOLLOW THE ACTION
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SERIES HISTORY
The Highlanders have experienced tons of success through 30 all-time meetings with the Blue Hose, leading the series 21-9. Radford is 10-3 at home when hosting Presbyterian, with the only loss of the last 10 years coming during the 2021-22 season.
 
Radford swept the season series in 2022-23, earning a 69-51 victory in the Dedmon Center before winning 67-59 on PC's home floor. In that most recent meeting, DaQuan Smith led all scorers with 21 points while Onyebuchi Ezeakudo came off the bench for 13 points and a team-high three steals. The Blue Hose shot just 12.5% (2-16) from three in the game.
 
SCOUTING THE BLUE HOSE
Success has eluded the Presbyterian Blue Hose over the years, but hope resonated from the very first game of the 2023-24 season in which they went to Vanderbilt and pulled off a major upset.
 
Now in Quinton Ferrell's fifth season as the Blue Hose head coach, his team parlayed that early season confidence boost into an 8-7 showing during non-conference play. Unfortunately for PC, their strong season has turned into a 1-5 start to Big South play, with their one win coming against Charleston Southern.
 
As a unit, Presbyterian does have some bright spots, ranking 17^th in the nation in bench points per game (30.4), 30^th in field goal percentage (48.4%), 43^rd in fastbreak points per game (13.95) and 83^rd in free throw attempts per game (21.5).
 
Junior guards Marquis Barnett and Samage Teel run the show as a dynamic backcourt duo, averaging 14.2 points/2.7 assists and 13.0 points/2.6 assists, respectively. A whopping 10 different players have started at least one game this season.
 
ALUMNI WEEKEND
Alumni Weekend for the Radford men's and women's basketball programs will take place the weekend of Jan. 26-28, with the game day doubleheader as its centerpiece
 
Women's basketball takes the floor first with a 2 p.m. tip off against Presbyterian College. Alumni of both programs are invited back to the New River Valley for a celebration of their contributions to the success of the Highlanders over the years.
 
A basketball alumni social will be held on the back court in the Dedmon Center, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Alumni Relations is also holding a Volunteer Summit earlier in the day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
MORGAN'S MESSAGE
Saturday's contests are also designated to spread awareness of Morgan's Message. A group of Radford University women's lacrosse players have taken the initiative to enhance mental health awareness and make sure that it is a key component to the Highlanders' student-athlete experience. Morgan's Message was founded by the family and friends of Morgan Rodgers, a former women's lacrosse player at Duke University. 
 
Morgan's Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. We aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.
 
25^th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST TITLE
This year is the 25^th anniversary of the 1997-98 Radford men's basketball team who clinched the program's first-ever Big South Championship.
 
In that historic season, the Highlanders went 20-10 overall and 10-2 in conference play. They would defeat Charleston Southern, UMBC and UNC Asheville to take home the Big South Tournament title before taking on the mighty Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament.
 

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.