A “Chu Era” for Radford Men’s Basketball Starts With Home Opening Win

By: Brandon Whitaker

Season one of the Zach Chu era is off to a hot start following two home wins against Western Illinois and West Virginia Wesleyan. Game one featured a crowd of over 1700 in the Dedmon Center and the student section was filled with members of the “Chu Crew,” a new promotion for students that included a pre game pep rally and free Chu Crew shirts. The influx of energy from the students helped Radford get out to a 22-9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the half. The next ten minutes saw WIU grab seven offensive rebounds leading to 11 second chance points that cut the Highlanders lead to six heading into halftime. 

Western Illinois didn’t let off the gas following the break, going on an 18-8 run and taking their first lead of the game, 48-44. In the final ten minutes of the game Minnesota transfer Brennan Rigsby made his mark on the game. Rigsby came in the game with six minutes remaining and immediately hit a three to increase the lead to four. The next possession he wrestled for an offensive rebound and tapped the ball back to Tyson Brown for a layup. He totaled five points, three offensive rebounds with an assist and a block in the final six minutes to help Radford on a run that would secure the win, 80-75. This win marks the first collegiate win for Zach Chu as a head coach who shared his feelings after the game,

“It meant everything and I say that because we told these guys before the game they showed up on June 9th. We got a brand new staff who generally haven’t worked together. A brand new team of guys who have never played together and not one of these players have played for me…to lose the lead in the second half to go down in the game and to come together as a team…it’s what we talk about- everyday, it’s who we are and who we have worked to become. That all coming to fruition in game one means everything.”

Clemson transfer Del Jones had command of the offense the whole night, scoring a career high 22 points and consistently wowing the crowd with his acrobatic layups. Jones was asked about how he stays so composed in high pressure situations and what Coach Chu told the team to keep them focused,

“Its just basketball at this point, you kind of get used to it. I’ve never been the type to shy away from big moments, it just comes natural for me…(Coach told us to) stay composed, stay with it, we know they were going to go on runs, it was talked about before the game. Just being able to take the punches and give ours back.”

This win marks the first time since 2015 that Radford has won their home opener against a division one opponent.