HIGH POINT, N.C. – On Monday night, the High Point University men's basketball team welcomes American University to the Qubein Center for a first time contest between the two teams since the 1929-30 season. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. and fans will receive a tie-dye shirt for 70's Night when doors open at 5:30 p.m.
High Point vs. American
Monday, November 18 | 7 p.m. | High Point, N.C. | Qubein Center
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70's Night
Records: High Point 4-0, American 1-3
This will be their first meeting in D1 Era
The Matchup
The Panthers and Eagles will meet for the first time since the 1929-30 season on Monday night. American competes in the Patriot League and finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 16-16 with a conference record of 10-8. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Eagles were picked to finish second in the league with the Preseason Player of the Year, Matt Rogers. Currently, American is 1-3 after playing at No.10 ranked the University of North Carolina on Friday night (L, 55-107). The Eagles are led by three players in double-figures, including Matt Rogers (13.8 ppg), Elijah Stephens (10.3 ppg), and Colin Smalls (10.0 ppg). American is coached by Duane Simpkins who enter his second season with the program.
Last Time Out
High Point picked up its fourth win of the season with a victory over top mid-major UAB on Friday night, 68-65 in in front of a packed house. The Panthers were led by the duo of
D'Maurian Williams and
Kimani Hamilton with 23 and 18 points respectively. Williams' 23 points were a season-high for the graduate student as he helped HPU secure the win over UAB in the final seconds with a dump off to Hamilton for a dunk, extending High Point's lead to three. Through the first four games, High Point is averaging 79.3 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the field, 39.6% from the three-point line and 77.2% from the free throw line.
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.
Four Players Averaging Double-Figures
Four Panthers from the HPU starting lineup are averaging double figures per game, led by D'Maurian Williams with 17.5, Kezza Giffa with 16.8, Kimani Hamilton with 13.3 and Chase Johnston with 11.5.
Top 10 - CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Rankings
In the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 rankings, High Point ranks No. 9 for the second week in a row. 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
