High Point has established itself as one of college basketball's most compelling mid-major success stories, and Thursday night provides another fascinating chapter in that development. The Panthers host Southern Utah at the Qubein Center in the first meeting between the programs, with both teams entering at 3-0. For High Point head coach Flynn Clayman, however, the game represents much more than an opportunity to extend an unbeaten start.
Clayman spent six seasons at Southern Utah before eventually becoming the head coach at High Point. His time with the Thunderbirds included significant program accomplishments and opportunities to develop as a coach, experiences that helped prepare him for his current position. Now, after leading High Point to unprecedented success, Clayman will face the program that played an important role in his professional development.
Final touches.#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl pic.twitter.com/cXvwQ8sZkE
— High Point University Men's Basketball (@HPUMBB) November 11, 2026
Southern Utah helped shape Clayman's coaching career
During Clayman's time with the Thunderbirds, Southern Utah captured the 2021 regular-season conference championship and developed into one of the more productive offensive teams in college basketball. The Thunderbirds averaged 84.2 points per game that season, ranking third nationally. Clayman also gained head coaching experience as an interim coach, guiding Southern Utah during a postseason appearance in the College Basketball Invitational.
Those experiences helped establish a foundation for his eventual success at High Point. Clayman's first season as the Panthers' head coach produced a 31-5 record, a Big South championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament victory. High Point defeated Wisconsin 83-82 in March, delivering one of the most memorable moments in school history.
The Panthers have maintained their momentum despite significant roster turnover entering the current season. High Point added 11 newcomers during the offseason, but the team has already defeated Liberty, Maryland Eastern Shore and Washington State. Saturday's 83-71 victory over the Cougars provided another encouraging indication that Clayman's program can sustain its success.
High Point has another talented group of contributors
Cam'Ron Fletcher earned Big South Player of the Week honors after averaging 14 points and eight rebounds during High Point's first three victories. CJ Brown contributed 17 points and four assists against Washington State, while Jason Rivera-Torres scored 13 points off the bench. Those performances demonstrate that High Point possesses considerable depth despite the number of new players on its roster.
Southern Utah arrives with momentum of its own after opening with three consecutive victories. The Thunderbirds scored 143 points against Bethesda in their most recent game, with eight players reaching double figures. Anthony Breland led that effort with 20 points, although Thursday's road assignment presents a substantially different challenge.
High Point has another significant test approaching when it travels to Saint Louis on Sunday. Before that game arrives, however, the Panthers have an opportunity to continue their unbeaten start against an opponent with special significance to their head coach.
Thursday's contest tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Clayman's accomplishments at High Point have already made him one of the more interesting young coaches in college basketball. Facing Southern Utah provides a reminder of where that journey began and how far it has already taken him.
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