GAME INFO
Saturday, Jan. 18-- vs Charleston Southern (Millis Center), 2 p.m.
ESPN3 | Live Stats | Tickets
 
The High Point University men's basketball team (4-13) will continue Big South Conference play on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 18) as it plays host to Charleston Southern (8-9) at Millis Center.
 
Matchup History
The Panthers hold a 22-18 record in the all-time series against Charleston Southern, winning the only meeting between the two teams a season ago when they edged out a 51-50 victor. Cliff Thomas Jr. scored 10 points while grabbing six rebounds during last year's contest in Charleston.
 
Across the Bench
Charleston Southern comes into High Point off a 77-62 win over Campbell (Jan. 16), earning its second conference win of the season in front of a national audience on ESPNU. The Buccaneers faced a tough non-conference schedule including games against Michigan State, who was nationally ranked No. 3 when they traveled to East Lansing, Mich., as well as Missouri, who the Bucs upset with a 68-60 victory on the road (Dec. 3).
 
Four Buccaneers players scored in double digits in their win against Campbell, including 21-point performances from juniors Deontaye Buskey and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. Travis Anderson (17) and Ty Jones (11) also had double digit performances in the Buccaneers last time out. Fleming Jr. leads the way offensively for CSU, with a team-high six 20-point performances this season. The 6-4 junior grabs 8.2 rebounds per contest in addition to scoring 14.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Dontrell Shuler leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game, but missed the Bucs' last game.
 
Long time head coach Barclay Radebaugh leads Charleston Southern in his 15th year at the helm. Radebaugh is the winningest coach in program history and one of just eight coaches that have won multiple Big South Coach of the Year awards.
 
Vets Lead the Way
In Thursday's win against UNC Asheville, upperclassmen Jamal Wright and Denny Slay II both had their season-highs in points, scoring 17 and 14 points respectively, combining for 31 of High Point's 68 points. Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez also contributed in the win with a career-high 14 rebounds.
 
Career Night for Coleman Jr.
Freshman Eric Coleman Jr. also poured in double digits the Panthers' last time out, scoring a career-high 15 points against the Bulldogs. Coleman Jr. has now scored in double figures six times in his young career.
But He's Only a Freshman
Freshman John-Michael Wright leads all Big South freshmen in scoring averaging with 12.9 per game, which also ranks him 11th in scoring in the conference overall. He is also the top freshman in rebounding with 5.6 boards per game, good enough for 14th overall in the conference. The freshman has now scored at least 10 points in three straight games and 13 times this season.
 
Swiper No Swiping!
John-Michael Wright has been a nightmare for opposing ballhandlers this season. The freshman out of Fayetteville has 18 steals, adding another to his total against UNC Asheville.
 
Can I Help You?
Not only is John-Michael Wright a tremendous scorer but he is a great facilitator as well, leading the team in assists on the year with 31. Classmate Bryant Randleman is not far behind, recording 25 assists this season.
 
Money from the Charity Stripe
Curtis Holland III is cashing in on every opportunity he gets at the free throw line. He ranks fourth in the Big South, shooting 80% on the year.
 
Block Party
The Panthers rank 149th out of 350 schools in blocked shots per game averaging 3.4 per contest.
 
Glass Cleaners
High Point have been terrific on the offensive and defensive boards. They rank second in the Big South in rebounding margin at +2.9.
 
JUST BLOCKin' it
Redshirt junior Cliff Thomas Jr. ranks sixth in the Big South with 0.8 blocks per game, tied with teammate Caden Sanchez.
 
Chairman of the Offensive boards
Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez ranks second in the Big South with 2.4 offensive rebounds a game.
 
They Are Free for a Reason
High Point is the 171st best free throw shooting team in the country.
 
Defensive Boards
High Point leads the Big South with a 30.2 a game rebounding defense.
 
Up Next: HPU will head back on the road to South Carolina to play USC Upstate on Monday night (Jan. 20). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
 
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