No offense to the fine folks of Corvallis, Ore., but getting there for a quarterfinal round game in the College Basketball Invitational tournament would've been a logistical hassle for Old Dominion, involving flight connections and a 90-minute bus ride.
Radford eliminated that inconvenience by knocking off Oregon State 96-92 in a first-round game last week. But ODU is faced with another challenge: dealing with a Highlander team that is hitting its offensive stride.
Surprising Radford (22-12) brings its hot shooting to the Constant Center tonight, for a CBI quarterfinal in the first meeting between the state schools.
Like the Monarchs (17-17), the Highlanders are an undersized squad fueled offensively by their guards.
"There are some similarities" coach Jeff Jones said. "They shoot the ball definitely much better than we do, but similarities in terms of size.
"While they will probably throw the ball more inside than we do, they play three guards and break you down off the dribble."
Javonte Green, a 6-foot-4 forward who played for ODU assistant Bryant Stith at Brunswick High, leads Radford in scoring (17.0 ppg.) and rebounding (8.1). Guards R.J. Price and Ya Ya Anderson have combined for 156 3-pointers.
Radford averages 85 points over its last five games and 78.5 on the season.
Had Oregon State won - the outcome many expected - ODU would have traveled there for its quarterfinal game. Instead, the school will pay the CBI a $50,000 guarantee to host tonight.
The tournament will be re-bracketed after tonight's games. The semifinals are Wednesday.
ODU advanced by beating South Dakota State 72-65 Wednesday night. After winning just five games a year ago, the Monarchs are excited to still be playing in late March.
"It's an even bigger deal for us, being a young team," forward Richard Ross said.
Radford eliminated that inconvenience by knocking off Oregon State 96-92 in a first-round game last week. But ODU is faced with another challenge: dealing with a Highlander team that is hitting its offensive stride.
Surprising Radford (22-12) brings its hot shooting to the Constant Center tonight, for a CBI quarterfinal in the first meeting between the state schools.
Like the Monarchs (17-17), the Highlanders are an undersized squad fueled offensively by their guards.
"There are some similarities" coach Jeff Jones said. "They shoot the ball definitely much better than we do, but similarities in terms of size.
"While they will probably throw the ball more inside than we do, they play three guards and break you down off the dribble."
Javonte Green, a 6-foot-4 forward who played for ODU assistant Bryant Stith at Brunswick High, leads Radford in scoring (17.0 ppg.) and rebounding (8.1). Guards R.J. Price and Ya Ya Anderson have combined for 156 3-pointers.
Radford averages 85 points over its last five games and 78.5 on the season.
Had Oregon State won - the outcome many expected - ODU would have traveled there for its quarterfinal game. Instead, the school will pay the CBI a $50,000 guarantee to host tonight.
The tournament will be re-bracketed after tonight's games. The semifinals are Wednesday.
ODU advanced by beating South Dakota State 72-65 Wednesday night. After winning just five games a year ago, the Monarchs are excited to still be playing in late March.
"It's an even bigger deal for us, being a young team," forward Richard Ross said.
