Name the only college basketball team in the state that has sold out every home game this season.
Radford is the answer, with an asterisk.
The Highlanders played home games thus far in Peters Hall, the university's old-school gym that seats 575. Above and beyond season-ticket holders and family members of coaches and players, RU students were able to get tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Dedmon Center, Radford's basketball facility since the 1981-82 season, underwent a $15.7 million renovation. It seats 5,000, and will reopen for the Highlanders' Big South Conference game against VMI (6-0, 14-2) on Wednesday.
The Highlanders (5-1, 8-9) played nine times in Peters Hall, temporarily Division I's smallest facility, and went 6-3 in those games. Kenny Thomas, RU's senior guard, attended Fairfield Middle School before starring at Highland Springs High. Comparing Fairfield's gym and Peters Hall, Thomas said:
"Fairfield is definitely much bigger. Way more bleachers."
In a related subject, perhaps, the Highlanders are the Big South's second-place team, behind VMI. Peters Hall opened in 1953, and was Radford's home court from 1974 to 1981. It evolved into a fitness center, prior to its reincarnation as a basketball venue.
"I think it has been a weapon," Thomas said of Peters Hall. "Energy was high in there."
That doesn't mean the Highlanders are hesitant to vacate the premises.
"Our guys are unanimous," said Brad Greenberg, RU's second-year coach. "They want to get back in Dedmon."
The Dedmon Center renovation included a new court, a new roof (the air-supported one is gone, eliminating the need for fans blowing 24/7), and new lighting, according to Ron Downs, the Dedmon Center director. Radford's basketball locker room is in Dedmon, as are meeting rooms, and the school's weight-training operation. The Highlanders, while based in Peters Hall, often dressed for practices and games in their living quarters.
"We've been a little dysfunctional in terms of team-building in a locker-room environment, or film sessions, or just guys hanging out for meetings or things like that," Greenberg said. "It has really been less than ideal."
Increased confidence and cohesion among the Highlanders has been more instrumental in a strong league start than playing home games in a 575-seat gym, Greenberg believes.
Contact staff writer John O'Connor at joconnor@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6233.
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