HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's basketball team will welcome North Carolina Central University to the Qubein Center for the teams' fifth meeting in program history. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. and students will receive a Camo Hat when doors open at 5:30 p.m.
If fans bring five cans or nonperishable food items they will receive an HPU shirt in honor of the Heroes and Hunger Challenge Night.
Men's Basketball - North Carolina Central University
Tuesday, November 12 | 7 p.m. | High Point, N.C. | Qubein Center
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LiveStats
Heroes Night / Hunger Challenge
Records: High Point 2-0, NCCU 0-2
Last Meeting: February 11, 2011 | Result: HPU won 82-74
All-time Record: HPU leads 4-0
The Matchup
The Panthers and Eagles will meet for the fifth time in program history with the most recent meeting in 2011 inside the Millis Center. N.C. Central competes in the MEAC Conference and finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 18-13 and a conference record of 9-5. Currently the Eagles are 0-2 after losing to George Mason and Big South foe Gardner-Webb last week. N.C. Central is led by four players averaging double figures with 17.5 points per game from leading scorer Josh Smith. NCCU is coached by LeVelle Moton who enters his 16th season with with the team.
Last Time Out
High Point picked up its second win of the season with a victory over Jackson State on Saturday afternoon, 80-71. The Panthers were led by
D'Maurian Williams with 22 points, six rebounds and a career-high eight assists.
Juslin Bodo Bodo led on the rebounds with 10, picking up double-digit boards for the second game in a row.
Notable Player & Team Notes
Returning eight players from last year's roster, the Panthers added 12 newcomers with six transfers and six freshmen. The reigning Big South Regular Season Champions are ready to jump back into full action after a historic 27-win season led by first-year Head Coach
Alan Huss in 2023-24.
1st Week Rankings - CollegeInsider.com
In the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 rankings, High Point ranks No. 9 in week 1. The Panthers highest spot in the rankings last season was 9th.
Bracketeer.com Preseason All-American Awards
In the Bracketeer's Preseason All-American Watch List Kimani Hamilton was named a First Team recipient while Kezza Giffa was named to the second team.
Preseason Polls
On October 15th, the Big South Conference announced the Preseason Men's Basketball Poll for the upcoming 2024-25 season. High Point University was picked to finish 1st in the poll, while Kezza Giffa was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Kimani Hamilton & Juslin Bodo Bodo were named to the first team.
HPU Stat Rankings Following 2023-24 Season
-9th in NCAA in PPG (83.9)
-1st in NCAA in Free Throws Made (20.1)
-6th in NCAA in Free Throws Attempted (25.8)
-15th in NCAA in Free Throw % (77.8)
-16th in NCAA in Rebounds (40.00)
-25th in NCAA in Win % (75%)
-Highest National Kenpom Ranking in Program History (114th)
-Highest National NET Ranking in Program History (110th)
-8th in Kenpom Raw Offensive Efficiency
-10th in Kenpom Offensive Rebound %
2023-24 Regular Season CHAMPS
HPU was named the outright Big South regular season champs for the first time since 2015-16. This was HPU's 5th Big South Regular-Season Title and the 2nd outright title.
2023-24 Season Recorded Most Wins in D1 Era
With a record of 27-9, the Panthers set the record for the most wins in a single-season.
2023-24 Season Was the Most Wins by a First-Year Head Coach
Coach Huss won the most wins as a first-year head coach in the entirety of the men's basketball program history. Also registered the most wins by a rookie head coach in the country last season.
Bodo Bodo Awards
Juslin bodo Bodo was named a National Freshman of the Year and a Kyle Macy Freshman of the Year Finalist in 2023-24.
Lou Henson Award Finalist
Giffa was named a Lou Henson Award Finalist in 2023-24.
2023-24 Big South Postseason Awards
Head Coach Alan Huss was named the Big South Coach of the Year becoming the 2nd coach in program history to earn the award (Scott Cherry). Duke Miles was named the Big South Newcomer of the Year and Juslin Bodo Bodo was named the Defensive and Freshman Player of the Year. Duke Miles, Kimani Hamilton & Kezza Giffa were named to the First Team All-Conference selections while Juslin Bodo Bodo and Titas Sargiunas were named to the All-Freshman team.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
