CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird men's basketball program will open up their 2019-20 campaign inside the America First Event Center on Tuesday night as they welcome the Bethesda Flames to Cedar City. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT.  

2018-19 Quick Recap

The Thunderbirds are coming off one of the most successful seasons the team has head in recent memory, making only their second-ever postseason appearance as they qualified for the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). 

The T-Birds were able to secure their very first postseason victory over the Drake Bulldogs in overtime, 80-73, before falling to CSU Bakersfield in an incredibly tight contest. Both of those games were played at home in Cedar City.  

The 2018-19 season provided several other milestones. SUU finished .500 for the first time since the 2006-07 season with a mark of 17-17. The T-Birds won nine Big Sky Conference games, which was the most the program had earned since joining the league. They also secured back-to-back winning non-conference records. Along with those accolades, Cameron Oluyitan won Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, and the T-Birds swept rival Weber State.

Top Returners

In terms of total numbers, Oluyitan will be one of the most critical returners for the Thunderbirds this season. In 34 appearances and 33 starts, the Boise State transfer averaged 13.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. 

As a true freshman Harrison Butler averaged 10.3 ppg for the Thunderbirds, and tied for the team lead in rebounding with 6.5 per game. 

Arizona State transfer Andre Adams averaged 9.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg for SUU, and led the team with 23 blocks. 

Dre Marin, as a sophomore, led the team with 102 assists along with scoring 8.9 ppg. 

Dwayne Morgan missed the majority of last season due to injury, but averaged 13 points per game when he was able to suit up for the Thunderbirds. 

New Faces

While a number of players are coming back for the Thunderbirds, there is a group of incoming players that will likely have a big impact for the squad as well, headlined by a trio of transfers.

Joining the T-Birds from Iowa State, Jakolby Long is ready to start his redshirt junior season in Cedar City and the Big Sky Conference. While playing for the Hawkeyes he appeared in 22 games as a sophomore and had a career-high 17 points against Tulsa. He sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.  

Illinois State transfer Daouda (David) N'Diaye also sat out last year for the T-Birds after switching programs. While playing for the Redbirds, he averaged 4.3 ppg and 4.0 rpg, along with 25 blocks. He led Illinois State as a sophomore in blocks. 

After transferring from Utah State to SUU midway through last season, John Knight III has received a waiver to play immediately this season for the T-Birds. In 10 appearances for USU last season, Knight III averaged 7.8 ppg and 3.9 rpg.  

Schedule Outlook

After opening the season at home, SUU will quickly turn their attention to a road swing that will feature Nebraska (November 9), BYU (November 13) and UCLA (November 18). Immediately following, they will head to the Maui Jim Maui Invitational Mainland event, where they will face off against Charleston Southern and either Delaware State or East Tennessee State depending on outcomes. 

The T-Birds will host in-state opponent Utah Valley University on December 7, and will play host to UC Santa Barbara a week later. 

SUU will tip off Big Sky play on December 30 in Portland as they'll face off against the Portland State Vikings. 

They will also have a four-game homestand from January 30-February 9 against Weber State (January 30), Idaho State (February 1), Northern Colorado (February 6) and Portland State (February 8). 

The 2020 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships presented by My Place Hotels will take place from March 10-14 in Boise, Idaho. 

Big Sky Predictions

When the results of the 2019 Big Sky Preseason Polls dropped, the Thunderbirds were picked to finish fourth by the coaches and fifth by the media. 

That was the highest the Thunderbirds have been picked in either poll since joining the Big Sky Conference ahead of the 2012-13 season. 

Eastern Washington was picked as the league favorite by the coaches, while the Montana Grizzlies were picked as the favorites by the media members. 

Opponent Preview: Bethesda Flames (0-4)

The Bethesda Flames will make their way to Cedar City with four games under their belt already this season. 

The Flames have opened up their year with losses to Life Pacific, Westmont, Hope International and Antelope Valley. 

Senior Eric LaShawn Hamilton is averaging over 13 ppg for the Flames. 

Leo Balayon is in his second season as head coach for the Flames. 

Words From Coach Simon

On the mindset heading into game one…

"We're excited to get to play somebody else, turn the lights on and get this show on the road," SUU head coach Todd Simon said. "After a whole summer and fall of workouts, practice, weights and conditioning, they're ready. They're ready for this competition, and I think they're prepared. We're excited to see where we stand." 

On how they've improved since they started practice…

"We're lightyears ahead of where we were," he said. "We've had a very good offseason of team bonding, team building, and we really work on developing our players so that's a big deal for us. We've seen a lot of that, guys are getting better, and now as we're putting the pieces together the fit is pretty good."  

On Bethesda…

"It's going to be a good competition for us as we tip this thing off," he said. "Any time you tip the ball off you're going to have to show up, play hard and do the right things because they want to win very badly, as do our guys. It'll be a tough first game in terms of matchups. They don't quite have the size that we do, so that'll be a good measuring stick for us in terms of imposing our style against someone different than us." 

'Food Fight' Promotion 

For Tuesday's game, fans can receive a free ticket with the donation of a non-perishable food item to support SUU in their 'Food Fight' against Weber State. The donation must be made at the America First Event Center Ticket Office. 

All fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at every SUU home event throughout the month of November. 

How To Watch / Listen / Follow Along

Tuesday's game with Bethesda will be livestreamed online on both PlutoTV and www.WatchBigSky.com. 

The game can be heard on local airwaves and online on KSUB 590 AM with legendary Thunderbird broadcaster Art Challis on the call. 

Live stats can be found online at www.tbirdstats.com. 

Follow Us

Follow the Thunderbirds all season @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Basketball page on Facebook. 

Read all about the Thunderbirds on www.suutbirds.com. 

Ticket Information 

Season Tickets for the 2019-20 season, as well as single game tickets, are available for purchase at the America First Event Center Ticket Office and online at www.tbirdtickets.com.