Game Info
Wednesday, December 29th, 3:00 PM -- vs #10 Michigan State
Watch (B1G Ten Network) | High Point Hoops Media Guide 2021-22 | Game Notes
Friday, December 31st, Noon -- vs #18 Kentucky
Watch (SEC Network) | High Point Hoops Media Guide 2021-22 | Game Notes
High Point University men's basketball (6-6) wraps up its final non-conference games with a two-game road trip first facing Michigan State on December 29th then Kentucky on Friday, December 31st. Wednesday's game against #10 MSU will tip-off at 3:00 pm and will air on the Big Ten Network. On Friday, December 31st HPU will take on #18 Kentucky at noon on the SEC Network. Prior to Friday's game Coach Smith will have his jersey retired in Rupp Arena. This marks just the third time HPU has faced two ranked opponents in the same season. It is only the second time in program history that the Panthers have played two top 25 opponents in the same week.
Across The Bench- Michigan State
Michigan State is 10-2 and is already 2-0 in conference play with Big Ten wins over both Penn State and Minnesota. MSU also won its ACC/Big Ten Challenge game over Louisville earlier in December.
The Spartans are led in scoring by Gabe Brown who averages 13.8 points per game he has scored at least 10 points in his last seven games. He has finished in double digits in points in every game this season except for one against Loyola Chicago.
This will be MSU's last non-conference game of the season. This will be the 21st time a Tubby Smith-led team has faced Michigan State. This is the first time HPU has played Michigan State.
Across The Bench- Kentucky
Coach Smith will become just the fourth coach to have his name displayed on a banner in the rafters of Rupp Arena joining Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, and Rick Pitino. Kentucky will honor the national championship coach on December 31st when Coach Smith's High Point University Panthers take on the University of Kentucky.
This will be the fourth time HPU has faced Kentucky. This will be the first time HPU has faced Kentucky where the Wildcats coach is not Tubby Smith. Smith will be involved in his fourth HPU vs Kentucky game but this time leading the Purple & White.
This will be the second straight season HPU has seen Kellan Grady. Grady has started in every game for Kentucky and averages 11.2 points per game. HPU faced off against him last season when he played for Davidson.
The Wildcats are led by Oscar Tshiebwe who averages 16.1 points per game.
Last Time Out
HPU defeated Florida Atlantic 55-52 on Tuesday night (Dec. 21st) in the Qubein Center. Jaden House led the way for HPU with 14 points. House hit two big free throws at the end of the game to seal the Panther victory. Zack Austin was the second Panther in double figures he finished with a double-double posting 12 points and bringing in 10 boards. It was the third double-double of his young career. Tonight's game wrapped up HPU's non-conference home slate, the next home HPU game will be against Winthrop as Big South play begins on January 5th.
The Wright Way
Wright is averaging 21.1 points per game which leads the Big South and gives him the 9th highest points per game average in the nation. Wright is currently 8th all-time on the HPU scoring list with 1160. He is 13 points away from moving into 7th and surpassing Dustin Van Weerdhuizen.
Tubby and the Three
The Panthers are shooting at 36.8 percent behind the arc, which is the 55th highest three-point percentage in the nation. This is the second time since his 1998 National Championship winning team that Tubby Smith has coached a team in the top 100 of three-point percentage. High Point (36.9, 66th, 2021-22) Minnesota (39.9, 9th, 2009-10).
Block Party
Austin is second in the Big South and 6th in the country in blocks per game with an average of 3.42.
Lexington Legend
Coach Smith will become just the fourth coach to have his name displayed on a banner in the rafters of Rupp Arena joining Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, and Rick Pitino. Kentucky will honor the national championship coach on December 31st when Coach Smith's High Point University Panthers take on the University of Kentucky.
Non-Conference Play
High Point will play 14 non-conference games in total, nine of them taking place inside the beautiful Qubein Center in its inaugural season and the other five occurring on the road. Four of the Panthers' five opponents on the road are Power-Five teams.
UP NEXT
After wrapping up non-conference play against MSU and UK the Panthers return to the Qubein Center as conference play begins. HPU will host Winthrop on Wednesday, January, 5th in HPU's Big South opener inside the Qubein Center.
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