GAME INFO
Wednesday, Dec. 18 -- vs Valparaiso (Millis Center) 7 p.m.
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The High Point University men's basketball team (2-8) returns to the Millis Center to host Valparaiso (6-4) Wednesday (Dec. 16) night.
 
Wednesday's contest will be a Draw Like a Panther Redemption Game presented by YMCA of High Point and free HPU stadium cups will be given to fans. The halftime act will be The Amazing Sladek, who has been performing his unique act for 40 years, including a  guest appearance on Steve Harvey's TV Show, "Little Big Shots: Forever Young." He has also been featured on "America's Got Talent" and performs regularly for NBA halftime shows.
 
Smith vs Valpo
Head Coach Tubby Smith is 2-0 against Valparaiso all time. His first win against the Crusaders came in 2002 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament during his time at Kentucky. Smith's most recent win occurred a season ago as HPU won at the buzzer on the road to beat Valpo, 55-53.
 
Matchup History
HPU is 1-0 all time against Valpo, with its first meeting coming last season. The Panthers won 55-53 on a Brandonn Kamga buzzer beater.
 
Panther Notes

• John-Michael Wright was named Big South Freshman of the Week for the third time this season, which is the most Big South weekly honors for any player this season. This honor came following a week where he recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds in High Point's 81-64 loss at FAU on Saturday (Dec. 14). The freshman has now recorded double-digits in scoring in seven of his first ten games.  
• Curtis Holland III led the Panthers in scoring the last time out against FAU, Holland ended the game with 17 points. He also led the team in blocks with two. He has recorded double-digit scoring his last six games.
• Jamal Wright had an efficient night from the floor shooting 67 percent on the night and scored ten points off the bench.
• High Point have been efficient from the charity stripe this season shooting 73 percent, which is second best in the conference. The Panthers have attempted 217 free throws this season and have made a Big South best 159.

 
Across the Bench

• Valparaiso enters the contest 6-5 which represents its tenth consecutive season with a winning record after ten games played.
• The Crusaders are led by Sophomore Javon Freeman-Liberty, who averages 21.8 points per game, ranking ninth nationally in scoring. Freeman-Liberty has scored 240 points in eleven games played.
• Valpo has showcased elite ball movement this season averaging 16.6 assists per game this year which ranks 27th out of 350 teams.
•  Valparaiso is coming off of an 67-57 loss at Charlotte Monday (Dec. 16) night. Freeman-   Liberty was leading scorer with 17 points.

 
Up Next: HPU will stay home as they host Belmont Abbey in the Millis Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 21) before playing its final non-conference game of the season against Texas on Monday, Dec. 30.
 
 
This men's basketball preview is brought to you by Omega Sports.