HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's basketball team opens the regular season at home against Coppin State University at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. This will be the first matchup in program history between the Panthers and Eagles.
Students will receive a Hussle Chain when doors open at 5:30 p.m. The half-time act will be performed by, "Tyler the Amazing Balancing Act".
Men's Basketball High Point vs. Coppin State University
Wednesday, November 6 | 7 p.m. | High Point, N.C. | Qubein Center
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Records: High Point 0-0, CSU 0-0
This is their first time meeting
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.
The Matchup
The Panthers and Eagles will meet for the first time in program history. Coppin State competes in the MEAC conference and finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 2-27 and a conference record of 1-13. The Eagles are coached by Larry Stewart (Coppin State '06) who enters his second season with with the team. Recently, CSU opened the 2024-25 season down the road at Wake Forest and fell 64-49, led by Derrius Ward with 19 points and five rebounds.
Last Time Out
High Point welcomed Averett University to the Qubein Center on Saturday night for an exhibition matchup to start the season. The Panthers defeated the Cougars 85-57 and were led by transfer guard
D'Maurian Williams with 25 points going 4-for-7 from three point range. Freshman forward
Braden Hausen scored in double-digits in his season debut posting 18 points and there rebounds after going 4-for-7 from deep as well.
Notable Player & Team Notes
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.
Lou Henson Award Finalist
Giffa was named a Lou Henson Award Finalist.
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
