GAME INFO
Saturday, Feb. 8 -- vs Radford (Millis Center), 7 p.m.
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The High Point University men's basketball team (7-16, 4-6 Big South) returns to Millis Center Saturday (Feb. 8) evening when it hosts Radford 13-9 (8-2) in Big South Conference action.
 
The halftime act will be Red Panda, who has become a mainstay NBA halftime show across the country. The student giveaway will be Purple & White striped pants.
 
Matchup History
Radford holds a 27-21 edge in the series history, winning the first matchup of the season 73-62 in Radford. The contest was the conference opener for both teams. The Highlanders defeated HPU 72-54 last season at Millis Center en route to the 2019 Big South Regular Season Championship.
 
Across the Bench
Radford comes into the contest riding a three-game winning streak, most recently earning a 77-74 overtime win over Charles Southern last Saturday (Feb. 1). They also earned wins over Longwood (67-55) and Hampton (83-79).
 
The Highlanders are led by Carlik Jones, who ranks second in the Big South with 19.9 points per game. He is shooting 49.3% from the floor and averages 5.5 assists a game, good for second in the conference.
 
RU is coached by Mike Jones, who is in his ninth season in Radford. Jones has led the Highlanders to the 2018-19 Big South Regular Season Championship, 2017-18 Big South Tournament Championship and the 2017-18 NCAA Tournament.
 
But He's Only a Freshman
John-Michael Wright leads all Big South freshmen in scoring averaging with 15.1 per game, which also ranks him fifth in scoring in the conference overall. He is also the top freshman in rebounding with 5.1 boards per game, good enough for 14th overall in the conference. The freshman has now scored at least 10 points in nine straight games and is averaging 22.8 points per game in his last five.
 
Have a Night Jamal
Senior Jamal Wright had a career night in Thursday's 88-85 win over Hampton, dropping a career-high 34 points. He reached his career-high in the first half, while shooting an astonishing 10-13 from the field while going 5-7 from beyond the arc and 9-11 from the free throw line - all eclipsing his career-highs. His previous single game high was 20 points during his freshman season vs Presbyterian (Jan. 14, 2017).
 
Caden Getting' it Done
Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez also had himself a career night on Thursday, recording a career-high 24 points. He went 11-14 from the field - also a career-high - while chipping in with nine rebounds and three blocks.
 
Sharing Is Caring
Denny Slay II has finding his teammates in all the right spots as of late. The junior guard is averaging 4.5 assist per game in his last four, doubling his season average of 2.2.  
 
Man Oh Man(ny)
Freshman Emmanuel 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 seven-game stretch, doubling his season averages.
 
Chairman of the Offensive boards
Redshirt sophomore Caden Sanchez ranks first in the Big South with 2.6 offensive rebounds a game.
 
Swiper No Swiping!
John-Michael Wright has been a nightmare for opposing ball handlers 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 +3.1.
 
JUST BLOCKin' it
Sanchez ranks fifth in the Big South with 1.1 block per game. His five-block game against Longwood (Jan. 25) was the first in program history since John Brown in 2016.
 
Defensive Boards
High Point leads the Big South with a 31.9 a game rebounding defense.
 
Up Next: HPU head back on the road on Monday (Feb. 10) when it travels to Gardner-Webb. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
 
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