Posted: Mar 19, 2018

No. 7 Richard Bland Plays No. 10 Highland (Kan.) Tuesday Night

2017-18 NJCAA Division II
Men's Basketball Championship

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Richard Bland, the No. 7 seed for the 2018 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, will play No. 10 Highland (Kan.) in the first round on Tuesday night, March 20, at 9:30 p.m. ET at Danville Area Community College in Danville, Illinois. The Statesmen have an overall record of 22-9, and are making their second-straight and third appearance in four years at the national tournament, while the Scotties have a record of 25-7. All games played during the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship will be streamed online and are available for a fee at njcaatv.com.

GAME INFORMATION
No. 7 Richard Bland (22-9)
vs. No. 10 Highland (Kan.) (25-7)
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Live Video: njcaatv.com (Fee)
Location: Mary Miller Center | Danville, Illinois
Series History: First Meeting

Scouting the Statesmen
Richard Bland is 22-9 overall and is coached by fifth-year head coach Chuck Moore, who has led the program to an outstanding record of 126-40 (.759) during his tenure. Moore is now 174-56 (.757) in seven seasons of junior college coaching, and is assisted by third-year assistant coach Preston Beverly.

Through 31 games, Richard Bland has been led in scoring by All-Region 10 First Team sophomore guard Robert Smith/Hampton, who is averaging 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds. He is followed by All-Region 10 Second Team sophomore guard Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland, who is averaging 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists, while All-Region 10 Third Team sophomore forward Stanley Taylor/Petersburg is averaging 10.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. Richard Bland is averaging 88.6 points per game, while allowing 77.7 points to opponents for a scoring margin of +10.9.

Scouting the Scotties
Highland is 25-7 overall and is coached by ninth-year head coach Jerre Cole. The Scotties have been led in scoring by All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference First Team sophomore Holden Redparth (18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds), who has made 102 three-point field goals, All-KJCCC Second Team freshman Taiveyhon Mason (12.0 points, 4.7 assists) and All-KJCCC Second Team sophomore Alonzo Williams (11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds). Highland averages 82.8 points, while yielding 67.7 points for a scoring margin of +15.1.

Series History
Richard Bland and Highland are playing for the first time in the sport of men's basketball.

125 Wins | Five Years
The Region 10 quarterfinal victory against Wake Tech (N.C.) (84-78) on March 4 was the 125th overall win for Richard Bland in men's basketball (now 126-40) since the program was reinstated at the College in 2013, following a 20-year hiatus from competitive sports. The Statesmen won the 2015 NJCAA Division II National Championship, finishing their most memorable storybook 2014-15 season with a school-record of 32-4, while winning the national title in only their second year back in action following the 20-year break. Richard Bland advanced to the NJCAA Division II Final Four a year ago, as well, its second such effort in three years, completing the 2016-17 season with a record of 30-6.

Among the National Leaders
Richard Bland is ranked fifth in NJCAA Division II rebounding (48.0), 10th in assists (19.9), 17th in scoring (88.6) and 19th in steals (10.3). Sophomore guard Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York is ranked 27th nationally in assists (5.5) and 41st in assist/turnover ratio (2.6). Robert Smith is ranked 49th nationally in points (523).

Up Next
If Richard Bland wins the opening round game, the Statesmen will play the winner of the Pima-Southern Maryland contest on Wednesday, March 21, at 9 p.m. ET. A loss on Tuesday would have Richard Bland playing the loser of Pima-Southern Maryland on Thursday, March 22, at 12 p.m. ET.

Please continue to check rbcathletics.com and follow the Statesmen on social media via Twitter (@GoRBCStatesmen) and Facebook (rbcstatesmen) for tournament progress and game times next week.