College basketball's November schedule is filled with games between nationally recognized programs, but Sunday's meeting between High Point and Saint Louis deserves considerable attention. Both teams reached the second round of last season's NCAA Tournament, both have opened the current campaign undefeated and both feature coaches who have helped transform their respective programs. Their first-ever meeting at Chaifetz Arena offers an opportunity to evaluate two teams with legitimate national aspirations.
High Point enters at 4-0 following Thursday's convincing 88-59 victory over Southern Utah. Saint Louis has opened with three consecutive victories, including a 90-84 road win over Missouri and a remarkable 125-63 performance against Northern Kentucky. The Billikens have averaged more than 102 points through their first three games, creating a fascinating contrast with High Point's early defensive success.
Flynn Clayman's Panthers are proving last season was no accident
High Point experienced considerable roster turnover after winning 31 games and defeating Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament last season. Despite those changes, Clayman's team has maintained its momentum through the opening weeks of November. The Panthers have defeated Liberty, Maryland Eastern Shore, Washington State and Southern Utah while allowing an average of just 59 points per game.
Thursday's victory illustrated High Point's ability to generate offense through defensive activity. The Panthers forced 25 turnovers, scored 29 fast-break points and received 50 points from their reserves. Jason Rivera-Torres finished with 19 points, while Isaac Garrett contributed a double-double and five steals.
Those performances demonstrate how effectively High Point can create scoring opportunities before opponents establish their half-court defense. Sunday will provide a significantly more difficult examination against a Saint Louis team capable of generating substantial offensive production.
Josh Schertz has another dangerous Saint Louis team
The Billikens won 29 games last season and defeated Georgia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Michigan. Schertz has continued building on that success, and Saint Louis' opening three performances suggest that its offensive potential remains considerable. The Billikens' victory at Missouri already represents a meaningful accomplishment.
Saint Louis has scored at least 90 points in each of its first three games, while High Point has held every opponent below 75. That contrast makes Sunday's contest particularly interesting because both programs have established successful but different early identities. The team capable of imposing its preferred style could gain a significant advantage.
This series is exactly what college basketball needs
Sunday marks the beginning of a two-year agreement between the programs, with Saint Louis scheduled to visit High Point during the 2027-28 season. Creating opportunities for successful mid-major teams to compete against one another provides meaningful November basketball and potentially valuable postseason résumé opportunities.
The game tips off at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2. High Point and Saint Louis have already demonstrated that they can compete on the national stage, and Sunday's meeting should provide another reminder that outstanding college basketball extends well beyond the traditional power conferences.
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