HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's basketball team will take on Jackson State University at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 for Huss Bus Day. This will be the first matchup in program history between the Panthers and Tigers.
Students will receive a safety vests when doors open at 12:30 p.m. The half-time act will be performed by, Jonathan Burns.
Men's Basketball High Point vs. Jackson State University
Saturday, November 9 | 2 p.m. | High Point, N.C. | Qubein Center
Watch Live ESPN+ | LiveStats | Listen on the Radio
Records: High Point 1-0, JSU 0-1
This is their first time meeting
The Matchup
The Panthers and Tigers will meet for the first time in program history. Jackson State competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 15-17 and a conference record of 11-7, finishing third in the regular season. The Tigers are coached by Mo Williams who enters his third season with with the team. Recently, JSU opened the 2024-25 season at No. 4 Houston and fell 97-40. Jackson State was led by Jalen Tatum with 14 points, two rebounds and three assists against Houston.
Last Time Out
High Point defeated Coppin State 93-51 on Wednesday night in the season opener. The 42-point margin was the largest win in program history over a Division I opponent. The Panthers were led by
Chase Johnston with 31 points after draining nine three pointers on 11 attempts, recording a career-high and the most made threes against a DI opponent in program history. Four other players registered double-digits as
Kezza Giffa had 16 points,
D'Maurian Williams had 11 points, and
Kimani Hamilton and
Abdoulaye Thiam each had 10 points.
Juslin Bodo Bodo led on the boards with 13 rebounds.
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
