Presbyterian Blue Hose vs Radford Highlanders Picks and Predictions for Friday, March 6, 2026
Use Code WWWC Presbyterian faces Radford at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tennessee, for the Big South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals with the opening tipoff at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN+. Presbyterian finished the regular season 14-17 overall and 7-9 in Big South play, placing sixth in the conference standings. The Blue Hose closed the regular season with a 74-70 loss to Winthrop despite a strong performance from Jonah Pierce. Radford enters the quarterfinals at 16-15 overall and 9-7 in conference play, finishing third in the Big South standings. The Highlanders dropped their final game of the regular season 90-74 at Longwood, allowing 56 second-half points. Use our free college basketball picks to grow your bankroll.
Presbyterian Relies on Pierce and Interior Production
Presbyterian averages 71.8 points per game while allowing 71.7, giving the Blue Hose little margin for error. The Blue Hose shoot 47% from the field and rely heavily on forward Jonah Pierce, who leads the team with averages of 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting 55.9% from the floor. Pierce also anchors the glass, creating second-chance opportunities and helping Presbyterian stay competitive against more talented frontcourts.
Carl Parrish provides perimeter scoring with an average of 14.4 points per game and shoots 40.1% from three-point range, giving Presbyterian a consistent outside threat. Triston Wilson directs the offense with 11.1 points and 3.6 assists per game while also leading the team with an average of 1.1 steals. Jaylen Peterson contributes 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest, adding rim protection and interior defense. Presbyterian averages 35.3 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game but commits 12.9 turnovers, limiting consistent scoring.
Defensively, Presbyterian protects the rim effectively with 4.6 blocks per game. The Blue Hose forced Winthrop into 37% shooting in the regular-season finale but struggled to generate perimeter offense, shooting just 1-for-13 from three-point range. Presbyterian often succeeds when the game slows down, and possessions become more deliberate.
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Key Injuries - Presbyterian Blue Hose
Presbyterian has no players listed on its injury report.
Radford’s Guard Play Drives the Highlanders’ Offense
Radford averages 81.3 points per game while allowing an average of 78.5, led by a fast-paced style built around transition offense. Dennis Parker Jr. leads the Highlanders with averages of 18.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range. Parker’s scoring ability gives Radford a reliable option when the shot clock is running out.
Del Jones provides another scoring threat, averaging 17.1 points and 3.5 assists per game, often creating offense off the dribble. Jones scored 21 points in the regular-season finale against Longwood, though Radford struggled defensively in the second half. Jaylon Johnson has averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, adding defensive pressure in the backcourt.
In the frontcourt, Tyson Brown averages 7.3 rebounds and provides interior presence around the rim. Radford averages 35.7 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game while generating 7.7 steals defensively. The Highlanders shot 46% from the field in the loss to Longwood, but were outrebounded 43-28 and allowed Longwood to shoot 45% from three. When Radford controls the tempo and limits second-chance opportunities, the offense becomes much harder to contain.
Key Injuries - Radford Highlanders
Radford has no players listed on its injury report.
Presbyterian vs Radford Pick - Spread
Radford enters the Big South quarterfinal with the stronger offense and multiple scoring guards capable of breaking down defenses. Presbyterian’s defense and rebounding with Pierce and Peterson will keep the Blue Hose competitive for most of the game, but Radford’s ability to score from the perimeter gives the Highlanders a key advantage. Expect Radford to control the game late through its guard play and transition scoring. Back Radford to cover the spread.
Presbyterian vs Radford - Over/Under Pick
Both teams bring contrasting styles into this matchup. Presbyterian prefers slower possessions and strong man-to-man defense, while Radford pushes tempo and averages over 81 points per game. Tournament play can sometimes slow the pace, but Radford’s scoring from both its starters and reserves and Presbyterian’s ability to contribute offensively through Pierce will create enough scoring. The matchup points to the total finishing over.
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