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Radford Basketball: In-depth look at Highlanders forward Ed Polite Jr.

By Bryan Mauro

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Ed Polite Jr. #24 of the Radford Highlanders and Randy Phillips #32 of the Radford Highlanders attempt to keep the ball away from Raiquan Clark #23 of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds during the game at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Ed Polite Jr. #24 of the Radford Highlanders and Randy Phillips #32 of the Radford Highlanders attempt to keep the ball away from Raiquan Clark #23 of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds during the game at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Ed Polite Jr. #24 of the Radford Highlanders grabs a rebound during the game against the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Ed Polite Jr. #24 of the Radford Highlanders grabs a rebound during the game against the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Radford Basketball looks to make back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament next season. Star forward Ed Polite Jr. will be a big reason why that happens.

The Big South conference is the home for many of the games under the radar players. In a previous article, another Big South player was highlighted in Chris Clemons from Campbell University. The Radford Highlanders are one of the more talented programs, the early favorites for the Big South regular season crown. The Highlanders have added to a talented roster that was able to make the NCAA tournament last year.

The run to the NCAA tournament for Radford last year, which was the third in school history, and the first since 2009. Ed Polite Jr. is one of the more dynamic players in the Big South, and he was the Highlanders catalyst on the defensive end of the floor last year. Polite is not just a defensive stalwart, he is also a talented offensive player. Coach Mike Jones relied heavily on Polite as well as point guard Carlik Jones.

The senior forward is a dynamic player who enters the year, on a team that has more talent then they have had since he has been in college. Coach Jones has added a few talented big men to the roster, by doing this that should allow Polite Jr to move with more freedom in the offense and maximize his scoring. The team from Radford, Virginia is going to have a target on their back, as they were the lone representative from their conference to make the tournament last year. Polite and the new weapons around him should have no trouble dismissing the competition in the conference to return to the NCAA tournament.