CALM BEFORE STORM: Just days away from the first regular season game of the 2012-13 season, the Seattle University men's basketball team welcomes Evergreen State to KeyArena for the squad's one and only open exhibition game. After a busy summer that included workouts during summer school and 10 extra practices to prepare for the team's summer trip to China, the Redhawks are ready to start a new era.
LAST SEASON: The 2011-12 season did not get off to an ideal start for Seattle University, as the Redhawks lost on a last-second shot to Portland State in the season opener, followed by a six-point loss to San Francisco in the home opener. After victories over Montana State and Evergreen State, the Redhawks lost six games in a row, but there were some highlights during that stretch. Seattle U traveled across the country and played Harvard, an NCAA Tournament team, tough before losing by 10. The Redhawks forced Virginia to play up-tempo, as the Cavaliers gave up 77 points to Seattle U, the most the second-ranked defense in the country allowed all year long. After a victory over Nebraska Omaha, Seattle U lost four games in a row, but again there were some bright spots. After being blown out three straight times, Seattle U competed with crosstown rival Washington right until the very end, pulling into a 76-76 tie with less than five minutes remaining in regulation before the Huskies pulled out a 91-83 victory. The 10-point loss to Utah Valley Jan. 13 would be the last home loss of the season for Seattle U, as the Redhawks began an eight-game home winning streak with a 13-point win over Eastern Washington. Seattle U also defeated Utah State, Pepperdine, and Portland State during that stretch. Add in an exciting overtime victory at Longwood, and Seattle U would close the 2011-12 campaign by winning nine of its last 12 contests to finish with a 12-15 record. Aaron Broussard once again led the team in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game, while fellow senior Eric Wallace led the team in rebounding with 7.9 rebounds per contest. Cervante Burrell completed his Redhawk career with a solid season, averaging 4.7 assists per game. As a team, Seattle U finished third in Division I in rebounding with 41.5 boards per game.
SCOUTING EVERGREEN STATE: The Geoducks will play its regular season opener at Northwest University in Kirkland Tuesday night before coming to KeyArena for Wednesday's exhibition game. Evergreen State lost to the Seattle Mountaineers, 85-72, last Thursday in an exhibition game. KJ Hong hit five three-pointers to lead the team in scoring with 18 points, while Marc Taylor came off the bench and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Geoducks. Evergreen State finished the 2011-12 season with a 1-26 overall record. Two players are back for the Geoducks this season: Elzie Dickens, who averaged 8.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season, and Travis Wagner, who averaged 7.4 points per game while making 26 starts for Evergreen State last year. The Geoducks also welcome Cody Peters, a transfer from Division II Western Oregon.
SERIES HISTORY: This is not an official meeting between Seattle U and Evergreen State, but the two schools have met 10 times previously during the regular season, with Seattle U holding a 6-4 series edge. The two schools first faced each other at the Puget Sound Tournament in 1997, with Evergreen State pulling out a 75-74 victory. The Geoducks also defeated Seattle U in the 1998-99 season in Olympia (66-65) and in the 1999-2000 season in Seattle (79-66). Seattle U finally broke through at the Connolly Center in the 2000-01 season, 85-69, but Evergreen State responded with a victory on its home floor in 2001-02, 71-59. Seattle U finally defeated Evergreen State in Olympia in 2002-03, 75-70, starting a five-game winning streak over the Geoducks. The two schools faced off at the ShoWare Center in Kent last Nov. 28, with Seattle U picking up a 77-54 victory. Clarence Trent led the Redhawks in scoring with 15 points, plus he pulled down nine rebounds. Marice Tolliver led the Geoducks with 18 points in the game.