GameDay Preview: at Safety School (12–6,2–1)
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Can Longwood hold Javonte Green and the Highlanders in check?[/caption]
Where: Dedmon Center (Radford, VA)
When: Saturday January 18, 4 PM
TV/Streaming: ESPN3
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A rivalry was established last year when Radford and Longwood finally linked up for the first time in nine years. Radford took game one 82–72 in the Dedmon Center, but the story of that game was an altercation between Michael Kessens and Kion Brown that ultimately lead to the ejections of Jeylani Dublin and Jeff Havenstein.
Radford then visited Willett Hall exactly a month later and the Lancers absolutely dominated the Highlanders in a 76–61 win. Tristan Carey was certainly the star of that game dropping 31 points on Mike Jones’ squad.
Fast forward to this year and we have two teams in two different places. Radford is officially rebuilt in Mike Jones’ third year at the helm and the Highlanders are 12–6 overall and 2–1 in the Big South. The journey from 6 wins in 2011–12 to 13 a year ago and a predicted 20 wins this year (according to KenPom) should be something all Longwood fans take note of as Jayson Gee rebuilds the Longwood program brick by brick.
On the court, Radford is flourishing due to a strong rotation of sophomores and juniors. Leading the way is Big South Player of the Year candidate Javonte Green who leads RU with 16.5 points and 6.9 rebounds. Fellow junior R.J. Price is right behind him with 13.3 points and 3.2 assists per contest. Guards Ya Ya Anderson and Rashun Davis are both averaging over 9 points per game and round out Mike Jones’ scoring depth.
Longwood is looking to build off of a hard fought game at High Point that ended in another loss for the Lancers. We all know the key parts and components for Longwood in this one, so let’s just get it done!
Today’s game is on ESPN3 and the Lancers should be well represented with the Lancers Lunatics travelling to the game in full force.
