'Big three' return for 2011-2012 season.

The High Point University men's basketball team enters its third season under head coach Scott Cherry in 2011-12, a key year for the Panthers. The team returns its own "Big Three" - or top three scorers from the 2010-11 season - in senior guards Nick Barbour and Shay Shine as well as junior forward Corey Law. In addition, HPU will feature a great home schedule that includes a marquee matchup with Wake Forest on Dec. 7 at the Millis Center.

"I feel very good about the direction we're going in and I'm confident that the team we're putting together is the type of team that can represent High Point University in the NCAA Tournament," said Cherry, who has been to the dance seven times as a coach and player. "The mix of incoming players as well as the returners should provide us with the depth we need to make a serious run at the Big South Championship this season."

HPU's most recognizable player is Shine, who was a great all-around player, setting HPU records for three-point shooting and free-throw shooting in a game, as well as leading the team in steals. As a combo guard, Shine averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Not to be outdone, Barbour led High Point University in scoring for the third season in a row with 17.7 points per game and earned All-Big South honors for the second year in a row. In his three years, Barbour has averaged 16.9 points over 88 games and has 1,488 points in his career - already good for seventh in the HPU record book with a full season to go.

Law was the Panthers' leading rebounder...