GAME INFO
Thursday, Feb. 7 -- vs Hampton (Millis Center), 7 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Tickets
 
The High Point University men's basketball team (6-16, 3-6 Big South) welcomes Hampton (10-11, 5-3 Big South) to Millis Center on Thursday (Feb. 6) in Big South Conference action.
 
Matchup History
Since joining the Big South from the MEAC in 2018 Hampton and HPU have met four times with the series deadlocked at two wins apiece. Their last matchup came in 2019, where the Panthers won a tough road game 86-81.
 
Across the Bench
Hampton hosts the Panthers after a six-point win against Presbyterian on its home floor. After a 2-2 start to conference play, the Pirates have been in good form as of late, winning three out of the last four.  
 
Hampton is led by Jermaine Marrow and Ben Stanley. Marrow was named to the Big South's Preseason All-Conference team and has lived up to the hype, leading the conference in points (25) and assists (6.6) per game. His game is complimented by sophomore big man Ben Stanley who is having a breakout season. The Baltimore native ranks seventh in the country in points (22.2) while grabbing just under eight rebounds a game.   
 
At the helm is eleventh year head coach Edward Joyner Jr. In his first ten seasons as head men's basketball coach Joyner Jr. has guided the Pirates to national prominence including an NCAA Tournament run made in 2015. In his tenure Joyner Jr. has a Big South record of 117-67.
 
But He's Only a Freshman
John-Michael Wright leads all Big South freshmen in scoring averaging with 15.3 per game, which also ranks him fifth in scoring in the conference overall. He is also the top freshman in rebounding with 5.0 boards per game, good enough for fourteenth overall in the conference. The freshman has now scored at least 10 points in eight straight games and is averaging 25.7 points per game in his last four.
 
Sharing Is Caring
Denny Slay has finding his teammates in all the right spots as of late. The junior guard is averaging 4.3 assist per game in his last three, doubling his season average.  
 
RP3
Sophomore Rob Peterson III has started the past six games in the absence of Curtis Holland III and has not disappointed. Peterson had a career-high 12 rebounds in a 70-62 win at USC Upstate (Jan. 20) and was one point away (nine) from a double-double and has averaged 8.2 boards over the span and 5.7 points per game.
 
Slay off the Bench
Slay tied his season-high with 17 points at USC Upstate (Jan. 20) and has averaged 8.3 points per game over his last six contests.
 
Man Oh Man(ny)
With the absence of veteran big man Cliff Thomas, freshman Emmanual Izunabor has seen a significant increase in his minutes and been thrust into a more prominent role. He's averaging five points and five rebounds in this six-game stretch, doubling his season averages.
 
Chairman of the Offensive boards
Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez ranks third in the Big South with 2.4 offensive rebounds a game.
 
Home Cookin'
Freshman Eric Coleman Jr. has stepped his game up when playing at Millis, scoring in double digits in three straight and four out of his last five games at home, including 10 points in Saturday's matchup against Longwood. He's averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in that span.
 
Swiper No Swiping!
John-Michael Wright has been a nightmare for opposing ballhandlers this season. The freshman out of Fayetteville has 20 steals, which leads the team.
 
Glass Cleaners
High Point have been terrific on the offensive and defensive boards. They rank second in the Big South in rebounding margin at +3.0.
 
JUST BLOCKin' it
Sanchez ranks fifth in the Big South with 1.0 block per game. His five-block game against Longwood (Jan. 25) was the first in program history since John Brown in 2016.
 
They Are Free for a Reason
High Point is the fourth best free throw shooting team in the conference at just under 72%.
 
Defensive Boards
High Point leads the Big South with a 31.8 a game rebounding defense.
 
Up Next: HPU returns to Millis Center on Saturday (Feb. 8) when it hosts Radford at 7 p.m.
 
 
This men's basketball preview is brought to you by Omega Sports.