Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team enters the 2010-2011 season with familiar expectations but a new look. The Cru is coming off its second American Southwest Conference Championship in the last three years and UMHB advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championships for the third time in the last four seasons. The Cru men will open defense of their ASC title when the 2010-11 season tips off at home with a 7:30 PM start against Southwestern University on Tuesday night, November 23rd.
UMHB will return 11 letter winners but just one full-time starter from that team this season. PG
Sterling Phillips (Jr., Austin) started 27 games for the Cru last season and averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on the season. Phillips also claimed ASC Tournament MVP honors last year and should once again hold down a starting job in the back-court. G
Dean Pele (Sr., Austin) returns as the Cru's top scorer after averaging 15.8 points per game off the bench last season. Pele shot 38 percent from three-point range. PG
Kevin Neal (Jr., Axtell) was the top reserve at point guard and he is back after averaging 3.4 points per game and adding 66 assists. G
Cory Meals (So., Whitesboro) averaged 2.3 points in a reserve role after returning from injury midway through the season and G
Mark Jones (So., Mineral Wells) also contributed in a reserve role. Those two players will also provide depth in the backcourt. W's
Brian Todd (So., Pflugerville) and Dorian Purnell (So., Pearland) played their way into the rotation last season and combined to start nine games. Todd averaged 2.6 points and 1.2 rebounds per game and Purnell averaged 2.5 points and 1.6 boards. F
Greg Wiernas (Jr., Arlington) started eight games and averaged 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He could claim a starting job and will provide an inside presence this season. F
Colby Waller (Sr., Katy) is an experienced player who could step into the starting line-up after serving as a key reserve last year. C
Michael Archa (Jr., Clyde) has been limited by injuries for much of the past two seasons, but could be ready to make an impact this season. F Theo Ard (Sr., Houston) was an All-ASC selection last season and was the Cru's leading rebounder and was second on the team in scoring. But he will likely miss the entire season with a medical issue.
The backcourt will also get a boost from a deep and talented class of newcomers. G
James Allen (Fr., The Woodlands) led the Cru in scoring in an exhibition loss to Sam Houston State University and he will be difficult to keep out of the starting line-up. G
Sully Haywood (Jr., Bastrop) is an experienced player who will challenge for playing time, along with freshman G Casey Roberson (Fr., Alvarado). W
Trenton Redington (So., Valparaiso, IN) is another transfer who will have a chance to play his way into the starting line-up. F Quinn Brownfield (Jr., Austin) is a talented and versatile player who will be counted on to provide scoring punch right away. F
Robert Moore (So., Boerne) and F
Kitrick Bell (Fr., Fort Bend) will also be in the mix, although both players have been slowed by injuries through early practices. C
Taylor Finley (Fr., Kerrville) will also have a chance to develop into an inside presence for the Cru this season.
Following Tuesday night's game, the Cru will hit the road to open ASC play at East Texas Baptist University on Monday. UMHB will take on the Tigers in a 7:30 PM start in Marshall. The Cru will then return home to host LeTourneau University and U.T.-Tyler next Thursday and Saturday at the Mayborn Campus Center.
The Cru went 22-7 overall and finished 17-4 in ASC play last season. UMHB hosted the ASC Tournament for the second time in three seasons and won the league crown on its home floor. The Cru's season came to an end with a 73-58 loss to Wheaton (IL) College in the first home NCAA Division III National Championships game in the program's history.
