The 26-5 High Point Panthers of the Big South are projected to make their first ever March Madness tournament, made official on Selection Sunday, less than two weeks away.
High Point has never been nationally ranked but this week the Panthers received four votes towards the AP Top-25 poll, the most ever in school history. Needless to say Head Coach Alan Huss has the Big South regular season champions humming, they own the longest winning streak going in Division I basketball right now with 11 straight wins.
Last season HPU was on the brink of March Madness play, they lost to Longwood in a conference tournament that they were heavily favored to win. This year, wining the Big South Conference tournament would solidify their first postseason appearance but it may not be necessary.
Even if High Point loses their conference tourney, them making the dance is still highly likely. The Big South is a relatively competitive conference, ranking 14th in NCAA RPI and NCAA News has them projected as a 13 seed as of 2/24/24.
What Makes the High Point Panthers Great?
The High Point Panther’s depth and quick burst scoring potential has been key in a season where they’re on track for a program history 28 wins.
“Well you saw what makes our team dynamic,” coach Huss said after a win versus Longwood on Feb. 13th. “The other night Bodo carries us, tonight JI comes in and gave us a huge lift. There’s been other nights that Simon’s been the guy, having all three of those guys is why we’re poised to make a run.”
“If one guy doesn’t have his best stuff one night, other guys can step up.
The three players that have been the first wave of the High Point Panther’s depth are Kezza Giffa, D’Maurian Williams and Kimani Hamilton, who each average around 14 points per game. Kezza Giffa is HPU’s main ball handler and leading scorer. The second year Panther from Paris, France is having of a cooler of a year after breaking out for 16 PPG last season. He now averages 14.6 PPG.
The Texas Tech transfer D’Maurian Williams came to High Point seeking more minutes and he’s made the most of each one. After suffering an injury that put him out all of last year, Williams has came all the way back to complete HP’s two man 14 PPG tandem.
Kimani Hamilton, who had a monster sophomore season has settled into his role as the Panther’s third option. The junior scores 13.8 points a game and grabs five rebounds as well.
“The entire year, our coach has talked about how deep we are, we have one of the deepest benches in the country,” said benchwarmer but crowd-pleaser Liam McChesney. “T5 and JI, they were the player and the sub of the game but they both came off the bench.”
“I think that shows that we are super deep and have so many guys that at any moment can go off.”
No matter the opponent, Head Coach Alan Huss believes that his High Point Panther’s team can create some March Madness magic.
One thing about our team is man, we keep it interesting until then end.
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