START IT UP!: Seattle University begins the 2014-15 season with high expectations, thanks in part to an experienced roster returning for the Redhawks this season as well as the program now having two years under its belt within the Western Athletic Conference. The Redhawks start the year by welcoming Texas State, a former member of the WAC in 2012-13, to KeyArena for the Elgin Baylor Classic, the traditional home opener which features an appearance by the all-time great collegiate and professional basketball player.
WHERE TO CATCH THE GAME: Links to live stats and live video for Friday’s game can be found on the men’s basketball schedule page of GoSeattleU.com. Dave Grosby and Gary Hill Jr. return for another season of live radio broadcasts on 770 AM KTTH.
WHAT IS RETURNING?: Seattle U returns 76.3 percent of its scoring and 77.4 percent of its rebounding from the 2013-14 season, with four starters among the eight letterwinners back for this season. Isiah Umipig set a Seattle U single-season record with 106 made three-pointers as he averaged 19.6 points per game to earn Second Team All-WAC honors at the conclusion of the 2013-14 regular season. Jarell Flora started 25 games for the Redhawks last year, averaging 9.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while Jack Crook led the team in total rebounds with 179 (6.0 rpg) as he started 28 of the team’s 30 games. Two key players looking to return from injuries are senior wing player Emerson Murray and junior forward Deshaun Sunderhaus. Murray averaged 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the 16 contests he appeared in, while Sunderhaus was the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder at 10.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game before going down with a left knee injury. Both players are expected to be ready to go at the start of this season. Shore Adenekan played in all 30 games last season, averaging 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while William Powell made a significant contribution in his first collegiate season, appearing in 28 games, and Manny Chibuogwu improved as the season went along, averaging 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 18 appearances.
SCOUTING TEXAS STATE: The Bobcats are coming off an 8-23 season last year, including a 4-14 record within the Sun Belt Conference in their first year in the league. Head coach Danny Kaspar is in his second season at Texas State after a successful 13-year run as head coach at Stephen F. Austin. Kaspar is 21st among active NCAA coaches with 473 overall wins in his 34-year career. Texas State returns five players from last year’s team, including 2014-15 Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Selection Emani Gant. Texas State brings in nine newcomers to this year’s team, with three freshmen, five junior college transfers and one four-year transfer. Last season as a team, the Bobcats averaged 61.4 points per game and gave up 66.0 points per contest. Texas Stats shot 43.5 percent from the field, including 30.6 percent from behind the three-point line, and 66.3 percent from the free throw line. Gant is the team’s leading returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 8.9 points and 5.0 rebounds last season as he shot 54.6 percent from the field.
Seattle U Redhawks Start the Season with Impact: Before the Redhawks even step on the court on Friday in their first game against Texas State, the Seattle University’s Men’s Basketball team have already made an impact: using their influence as student athletes to support the causes they believe in on campus. They’ve joined in to show their support of the #iAspire Campaign, in partnership with When Georgia Smiled: Robin McGraw Foundation Revelation Foundation. (Robin McGraw is more widely known as Dr. Phil’s wife, a tireless advocate for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse.) iAspire For Her encourages collegiate athletes to stand up for the women in their life that they love by speaking out against sexual assault and domestic abuse. In support of the campaign, the Redhawks released a video vignette featuring players sharing about the women who have positively shaped their lives and careers. Kerry Carter, a former professional athlete and the president of the Apex Agency, who has recently joined the Redhawks to promote the 2015 season, said of the partnership, "The young men on team are outstanding individuals who were eager to be part of the initiative. What is unique about iAspire For Her is that it provides a platform to addresses a very serious topic and gives student athletes an opportunity to be leaders in their community. We hope to continue these kinds of opportunities to elevate the partnerships and charities that our team cares about in the coming year." The team invites fans and fellow athletes to post their own iAspire Pledge using the hashtag #iAspire. More information can be found at iAspireForHer.com.