The High Point University men's basketball team will host Appalachian State University in the ninth annual ESPNU BracketBusters on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Millis Center. It will be the 91st time the two teams have played, but the first time since 1978.

“We're really excited to get Appalachian State as our ESPNU BracketBusters opponent,” said HPU head coach Scott Cherry. “They're a good in-state team from the Southern Conference and we think it will generate a lot of interest and enthusiasm from our fans and the local community.”

High Point has played in the ESPNU BracketBusters twice – both times on the road. HPU took a 77-71 loss to Loyola (Md.) on Feb. 17, 2006, and took a 73-72 loss to Towson on Feb. 23, 2008. The ESPNU BracketBusters allow teams to play similar non-conference competition about three weeks before NCAA Tournament selections in games that could affect tournament seeds.

A historic rival, High Point and Appalachian State have played 90 times with the Panthers holding 57-33 edge in the all-time series. However, the teams haven't played since Feb. 20, 1978, a 72-56 Appalachian State win in Boone, N.C. The meeting prior to that was Feb. 21, 1972, a 70-61 HPU win in High Point.

Both High Point and Appalachian State were charter members of the Old North State Conference. High Point was a member from 1930 through 1997, when the Panthers began the transition to NCAA Div. I. Appalachian State was a member from 1930-71. Other current Div. I schools that are past members of the Old North State Conference include East Carolina, Elon, Longwood, Presbyterian College and Western Carolina.

High Point is currently 7-13 overall and 4-7 in the Big South and has shown improvement by winning two of its last four games. With five of their next seven games at the Millis Center, the Panthers are looking for a strong push into the Big South Tournament in March. The Panthers are currently led in scoring by junior guards Nick Barbour and Shay Shine. Barbour is scoring 16.5 points per game, good for fifth in the Big South. Shine is averaging 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Redshirt-sophomore Corey Law leads HPU with 7.9 rebounds per game, good for sixth in the league.

Appalachian State is in its first season under head coach Jason Capel and sits 8-13 overall and 4-7 in the Southern Conference. Donald Sims leads the Mountaineers with 21.0 points per game followed by Omar Carter's 15.7.

For all ESPNU BracketBusters matchups, check espnbracketbusters.com.