CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Looking to improve upon the best start in the history of the program, the Thunderbird men's basketball team will continue their Big Sky Conference slate this weekend as they travel to Cheney to face off against the Eastern Washington Eagles on Thursday and Saturday.  

Idaho Recap 

The Thunderbirds moved to 4-0 in Big Sky Conference play last weekend, as they swept the Idaho Vandals inside the America First Event Center. The T-Birds won the first game of the weekend 85-80, and claimed the second 83-67. 

Tevian Jones was the leading scorer for the Thunderbirds in both contests, combining for 47 points on the weekend. 

Southern Utah has now claimed their previous eight games against the Idaho Vandals, which is a streak dating back to the 2018 season. 

Record Watch

With the 4-0 start to Big Sky play the Thunderbirds have embarked on, they are off to the best start they have seen since joining the conference for the 2012-13 season. 

By sweeping the Idaho Vandals, the Thunderbirds won their eighth and ninth straight contests, which broke and is now extending on the longest winning streak the program has had in it's Division I history. 

Now with 901 career points, Dre Marin has moved into the 11th spot on the Division I scoring list for the Thunderbirds. The next person Marin will aim to pass on the list will be Damon Heuir, who played for SUU from 2009-13. He finished his career with 942 career points, which puts him 10th on the Division I scoring list.   

In The Rankings

Southern Utah moved up a spot in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 this week, jumping from 17th to 16th in the rankings. 

The Thunderbirds stayed steady in the NET Rankings, as they didn't move up or down a spot this week. They remained at 148. 

Stat Leaders 

Through 10 contests, Tevian Jones is the leading scorer for the Thunderbirds, averaging 19.2 points per game so far this season. 

Jones is the second leading scorer in the Big Sky Conference, behind only Cameron Shelton, who is averaging 22.2 ppg. 

John Knight III is the team's second leading scorer in terms of total, and third in terms of average with 125 total and 12.5 ppg. 

Knight III leads not only the Thunderbirds, but the entire Big Sky Conference in assists, with an average of 4.5 per contest. He is also third in the Big Sky for steals with 1.9 per game. 

Fausett is averaging 13.6 ppg for the Thunderbirds, while leading the team's rebounding efforts with 6.6 rebounds per game. 

Ivan Madunic is second on the team in rebounding with an average of 5.6 rpg. 

Opponent Preview: Eastern Washington Eagles (2-4, 1-0 Big Sky)

After having two straight weeks of games canceled, the Eagles of Eastern Washington are ready to get back on the court this weekend as they play host to the Thunderbirds. 

Tanner Groves has been the team's leading scorer through six contests, averaging 14.5 ppg. He also serves as the team's leading rebounder, pulling down an average of 9.5 rebounds per contest. 

Tyler Robertson is the team's second leading scorer in terms of average, sitting at 12.0 ppg in five appearances. 

EWU head coach Shantay Legans is in his fourth season at the lead of the program, and 12th overall at Eastern Washington. He was named 2019-20 Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year as the Eagles finished 23-8 overall and 16-4 in the Big Sky last year. 

Series History vs. EWU

Eastern Washington has the upperhand in their head-to-head series against the Thunderbirds as of late, winning the last three contests and six of the previous eight matchups between the two programs. 

As Division I foes, the Eagles hold a 15-6 advantage over Southern Utah. 

The Thunderbirds have not knocked off the Eagles in Cheney since 1992. 

Big Sky At A Glance

The Thunderbirds have been the only Big Sky team thus far to start the season 4-0, with Sacramento State and Montana State both sitting at 2-0 in league play. 

Eastern Washington also remains undefeated in league play, sitting at 1-0. 

The Idaho Vandals will enter this weekend still seeking their first Big Sky Conference victory, starting 0-6 in league play. 

Words From The T-Birds

Todd Simon on the Eastern Washington matchup…

"Our page has turned already, and we need to start focusing on finding the best advantages we can going up to Eastern Washington," he said. "They're one heck of a ball club, and we'll have to be at our best to compete with them." 

Harrison Butler on how the team is handling the winning streak…

"We don't really talk about it," he said. "Usually at practice and before games everyone's doing their own thing. Coach Simon will bring it up here and there, but other than that we're just focused on each game and the task at hand." 

Where To Watch / Listen / Follow Along

All of Southern Utah's home basketball games, and contests against Big Sky Conference foes, will stream live on PlutoTV Channel 1,055 and www.WatchBigSky.com. 

A link to live stats will be available on www.tbirdstats.com prior to tipoff. 

Keep up to date on Southern Utah's Schedule Page for all the most recent updates and links.   

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