Belton, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team will tip off the 2014-15 season on the road in San Antonio on Monday night. The Cru will face Trinity University in a 7:00 PM tip-off in a non-conference match-up.
UMHB will have a new look this season with the loss of
James Allen,
Kitrick Bell,
Antonie Chaney and
Sheldon Jones. Allen, Bell and Chaney were three of the Cru's top four scorers last season. Bell was the team's second-leading rebounder and Allen was second on the team in assists. The cupboard is far from bare for Head Coach
Ken DeWeese, however. The Cru returns five players who started games last season and will welcome back 12 total letter winners this year.
Wing
Jerard Graham (Sr., Wichita Falls) highlights the group of returners. Graham led UMHB in rebounding last season at 9.0 boards per game and he was second in scoring at 15.8 points per contest. P
Kevin Waller (Sr., Groesbeck) and C
Russell Green (Jr., Klein) are also back after starting games last season. Waller averaged 4.0 points per game while Green scored 4.7 points a night. Wing
Sidney Deloach (Jr., Round Rock) is challenging for a larger role after seeing spot duty each of the past two years. Wings
Cole Hopkins (So., Italy),
Justin Gammill (So., Flower Mound), and
Isaiah Gilliam (So., New Waverly) all made contributions as freshmen last year and will be expected to step up and continue to develop as contributors this season. Post
Austen Stolte (So., Thrall) could also play his way into a starting job after playing limited minutes last season.
The front court will also be bolstered by the additions of
Daniel Mills (So., Belton) and
Michael Hicks (Fr., San Marcos). Mills is a transfer from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and Hicks missed all of last season with an injury.
Guard
Layton Zinsmeister (Jr., The Woodlands) is the early favorite to take over as the starting point guard this season. Zinsmeister is a part-time two-year starter in the backcourt and led the Cru in assists last season.
Avery Polchinski (So., Temple) missed much of last season with an injury, but is healthy again and seems poised to reclaim the form that made him a contributor as a freshman.
Griffin McHone (So., Boerne) and Devonte Black (Jr., Rowlett) also return at guard and will compete for spots in the rotation.
The back court will get a boost from a talented group of newcomers.
Braden Hammond (Fr., Belton) is a tough scorer who could make an immediate impact.
Derico Dandridge (Sr., Desoto) has been hampered by injuries in the early going.
Blaine Bronnon (So., Baytown) and
Jalen Jury (Jr., Austin) are both transfers who could play their way into impact roles as well.
You can follow Monday night's season opener through live statistics and live video provided by Trinity University. You can also access those links through the UMHB Athletic Department web site at
www.cruathletics.com.
Following Monday night's game, the Cru will hit the road for the prestigious Hoopsville Invitational Tournament. That tournament will be played on the campus of Stevenson University on Owings Mills, Maryland. UMHB will face Randolph-Macon and Gwynedd Mercy on Friday and Saturday in that tournament. The Cru will then return home to host Southwestern University in the home opener on Monday, December 1
st, at 7:00 PM.
UMHB finished 17-9 overall and went 15-7 in American Southwest Conference play last season. The Cru advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament before falling to Louisiana College in the opening round. UMHB was picked to finish third in the ASC in the league's annual Preseason Coaches and Media Poll.
