Coaches Corner: Previewing Radford with Chris Caputo

This year's Radford team is no where near what they faced last season in the team's blow out loss to the Highlanders.  If you remember that 80-53 blowout down in Radford, you will remember that big guy they had inside dominating, Artsiom Parakhouski. The 6'11" 260 pound center is now gone and is playing pro ball with the Latvian club VEF Riga after he had a brieft stint on the Boston Celtics summer league team.  This year's Radford Highlander team doesn't resemble much of their squad last season and they certainly do not have that same inside strength.

It's a little difficult to gauge this year's team because they have only played one game against a DI opponent, and that was at the SEC's South Carolina where they got drilled 85-56.  Their only other two games came against Division III opponents one of which they won by a mere three points at home.  So while there isn't much tape on them of note, I think it's safe to say Mason should get back on track in this one. I would expect the Patriots to establish their inside game and force a ton of turnovers in this one.  I would expect to see guys like Jonathan Arledge, Paris Bennett, Vertrail Vaughns, and Bryon Allen get a little bit more playing time as well.

This game is the first of a five game home stand, something we haven't seen Mason have in a long time.  You can argue that they won't be facing tough competition til the end of the December but I think it is important after what we saw in Charleston; for this team to work on some issues they have been having with their game plan. Hopefully these next couple of games will give the Patriots some confidence and help them get back in a rhythm on offense.