5 Things To Know About The High Point Panthers

Kentucky hosts the High Point Panthers tomorrow at noon. Clearly, the game was scheduled to bring Tubby Smith back to Rupp Arena to retire his jersey. But, what about the game that follows? Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about the Panthers.

1. They played Michigan State yesterday

Don’t let the final score deceive you; even though Michigan State beat High Point 81-68 yesterday afternoon, the Panthers gave the Spartans a bit of a scare. Michigan State was down four players, including two starters, due to COVID, and the Panthers pounced. High Point led at halftime, 35-34, and was within four with seven minutes left. Michigan State eventually pulled away for the win, but it was a valiant effort by Tubby Smith’s squad against his longtime friend Tom Izzo.

2. They also lost to Notre Dame

High Point and Kentucky have something in common other than Tubby Smith: both teams lost at Notre Dame this season. The Panthers fell to the Fighting Irish 70-61 on Nov. 16. Like in the Michigan State game, High Point led by one at halftime, but Notre Dame opened the second half on a 25-12 run to take control. Of course, Kentucky lost at South Bend 66-62 on Dec. 11. I won’t make you relive that one.

The Panthers are 6-7 this season. Next Wednesday, they open Big South play vs. Winthrop. Here’s the complete list of results thus far:

DATE	OPPONENT (KenPom Rank)	RESULT
Tue, Nov 9	vs. Shenandoah (NR)	W 108-59
Fri, Nov 12	@ Northwestern (40)	L 95-60
Tue, Nov 16	@ Notre Dame (60)	L 70-61
Sat, Nov 20	vs. Howard (223)	W 73-63
Sun, Nov 21	vs. Georgia State (143)	L 74-66 OT
Sat, Nov 27	vs. Chowan (NR)	W 90-60
Tue, Nov 30	vs. Furman (112)	L 74-70 2OT
Sat, Dec 4	@ Elon (258)	W 83-77
Tue, Dec 7	vs. Guilford (NR)	W 64-59
Fri, Dec 10	vs. South Carolina State * (330)	L 67-66
Sat, Dec 18	vs. UNC Wilmington (284)	L 71-69 OT
Tue, Dec 21	vs. Florida Atlantic (206)	W 55-52
Wed, Dec 29	@ 10 Michigan State (20)	L 81-68

3. This is the fourth meeting between the two schools

…and the fourth one Tubby Smith has been a part of. Kentucky hosted High Point, Tubby’s alma mater, three times during his tenure as coach: 2000, 2002, and 2005. The Cats won each game by a comfortable margin.

4. Kellan Grady scored 20 vs. them last year

One Wildcat has actually played the Panthers before. Davidson hosted High Point to open the 2020-21 season. Kellan Grady, then a senior for the other Wildcats, had 20 points (9-20 FG, 2-8 3PT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, and a steal in the 82-73 victory at Belk Arena.

After red-hot performances vs. North Carolina and Western Kentucky, Kellan Grady cooled off slightly vs. Missouri, only hitting two threes and two free throws en route to eight points. Maybe he’ll warm back up vs. an old foe.

5. They can light it up from outside

Tubby’s squad is tied for 29th in the country in 3-point field-goal percentage, hitting 38% of their attempts this season. The Panthers have three players who can get hot on any given night: John-Michael Wright (34-81, 42%), Zack Austin (26-77, 34%), and Jaden House (19-43, 44%). Yesterday, Bryson Childress had the hot hand, hitting four of High Point’s ten threes:

No big deal just 4⃣ for 4⃣ from 3⃣in the Breslin Center for @BrysonChildres3 #OurCityOurUniversity x #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/GG6Vt6QyT5

— HPU Men's Basketball (@HPUMBB) December 29, 2021

I love Tubby, but none of that tomorrow, please.