CEDAR CITY, Utah -- With non-conference play in the rearview mirror, the Thunderbird men's basketball team (7-1, 2-0 Big Sky) is prepared to charge head first into Big Sky Conference play, starting this weekend with a series of two contests against the Idaho Vandals (January 7 & 9) inside the America First Event Center. They pick up their season after having their trip to Montana State canceled last weekend.
Non-Conference Recap
With a 5-1 non-conference record, the Thunderbird men's basketball team secured the best out of league winning percentage in the program's Division I history, claiming victory in .833 percent of their contests.
The only loss the Thunderbirds suffered in non-conference action came in their season opener, as the LMU Lions sank a buzzer-beater to escape with an opening night victory.
While the Thunderbirds are 7-1 on the season heading into the Big Sky portion of their slate, two of those victories came against league foes as they swept the Montana Grizzlies at home.
Record Watch
With their seventh-consecutive victory coming against the Bethesda Flames on December 21, the Thunderbirds secured the longest regular season winning streak in the program's Division I history.
They have matched the longest total winning streak in program history, as the 2000-01 Thunderbirds won seven straight games spanning both the regular season and the postseason. If Southern Utah is to defeat Montana State on December 31, they will own the longest overall winning streak in the program's Division I history.
In The Rankings
Southern Utah found themselves ranked for the second-consecutive week, as CollegeInsider.com released their Mid-Major Top 25 poll, which slotted the Thunderbirds as the No. 17 team amongst the mid-major programs in the NCAA.
The Thunderbirds are the lone representatives of the Big Sky Conference in the poll.
In the first edition of the NCAA NET Rankings, the Thunderbirds were tabbed 135th in the entire NCAA. That put them ahead of perennial powerhouses such as Kentucky and Georgetown, along with a large other number of programs with impressive basketball history.
Stat Leaders
Through eight contests, Illinois transfer Tevian Jones has led the offensive output for the Thunderbirds, averaging 18.1 points per game and scoring 145 total.
In terms of averages, Jones is the third leading scorer in the Big Sky Conference behind only NAU's Cameron Shelton (21.3) and Weber State's Isiah Brown (18.6).
Maizen Fausett is second on the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game. He also leads the team's rebounding effort with 6.8 rebounds per game with 2.9 offensive boards per contest.
Fausett is currently seventh in the Big Sky in terms of rebounding and 12th in terms of scoring. He is ranked second in the league when it comes to offensive rebounds specifically.
John Knight III is the team's third leading scorer with an average of 12.9 ppg, and is second on the team in rebounding average with 5.5 rpg.
Knight III currently leads the Thunderbirds, as well as the entire Big Sky Conference in total assists and assists average with 37 and 4.63 respectively.
The Thunderbirds lead the Big Sky in scoring offense, averaging 84.63 points per game as a team. They also lead the Big Sky standings in assists, with 131 total and 16.38 assists per game as a unit.
Opponent Preview: Idaho Vandals (0-7, 0-4 Big Sky)
The Vandals of the University of Idaho will travel to Cedar City this weekend looking for their first victory of the year, as they've started the season 0-7 with an 0-4 record in Big Sky Conference play.
Most recently, the Vandals were swept 2-0 by the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in Moscow, including one contest that went to overtime and ended in NAU's favor 83-78.
Scott Blakney leads the Vandals in scoring, averaging 12.7 ppg so far this season. Gabe Quinnett is the only other member of the team averaging double-digit scoring, with 10.7 ppg.
Zac Claus was named head coach of the Vandals in February 2020, after serving as the program's interim coach since July of 2019. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach in Moscow for four seasons.
Series History vs. Idaho
The Thunderbirds have won five straight contests against the Vandals, dating back to March of 2018.
SUU completed a season sweep of Idaho last season, including a victory in the opening round of the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
As Division I opponents, the Thunderbirds hold a 15-11 record over Idaho.
Big Sky At A Glance
Southern Utah sits atop the Big Sky Conference standings, with a 2-0 mark in league play and a 7-1 overall record.
The Sacramento State Hornets are second in the Big Sky, with a 4-1 overall record and 2-0 Big Sky Record.
Eastern Washington is 2-4 on the season, but 1-0 in Big Sky Conference play, to put them third in league standings.
Words From The T-Birds
Todd Simon on where the team sits currently...
"It's a little bit different, we've had very good non-conference seasons the last couple years, but it's almost been at the expense of our health," he said. "We always seem to go into Christmas with four or five guys injured, or a guy out for the season, so we've really had a rough December the last couple seasons. Right now, other than a few bumps and bruises, we've found a way to come out of this pretty unscathed, and that's probably the most important thing."
Dre Marin on moving into Big Sky play...
"We just want to keep this train rolling," he said. "The last few years we've had good non-conference records, and then had luls when we started conference. … This thing is a marathon, so we just need to keep it up."
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.
SUU's home contests can be heard over the airwaves on KSUB 107.7 FM and 590 AM in Cedar City, and KDXU News Radio 890 AM and 94.9 FM in St. George. Chris Holmes has recently been announced as the new radio voice for the Thunderbirds, taking on play-by-play duties moving forward.
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.
