TIME TO PLAY THE GAME: Coming off an 18-win season, the most victories in a single year as a Division I program since the 1968-69 season, Seattle University opens the 2015-16 campaign with two home games in the span of about 42 hours. Friday, the Redhawks face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the annual Elgin Baylor Classic, with the Hall of Famer scheduled to be in attendance once again this year. Sunday afternoon, Seattle U hosts Sacramento State, with both teams coming off postseason appearances.
THE 2014-15 SEASON: Seattle University posted an 18-16 record in 2014-15, the most victories in a single year as a Division I program in 46 years. Starting after Thanksgiving, Seattle U won six of nine games, including victories over Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, and UC Davis. The Redhawks opened the conference season with a 3-1 league record, featuring a 58-52 victory over preseason favorite New Mexico State. The team finished the year strong with four straight regular season home victories, holding their opponents to an average of 40.75 points per game over that stretch. In the WAC Tournament, Seattle U defeated Chicago State and Missouri-Kansas City to advance to the championship game before losing to New Mexico State. The Redhawks accepted an invitation to participate in the College Basketball Invitational and were selected to host a first round game against Pepperdine. Because KeyArena was being used for the NCAA Tournament, the game was played in the friendly confines of the Connolly Center, with the Redhawks defeating the Waves, 62-45, before a sellout crowd. Another capacity crowd came to see Seattle U defeat Colorado, 72-65, in the quarterfinals before the Redhawks were eliminated in the semifinals by Loyola Chicago. Isiah Umipig received First Team All-WAC honors after averaging 17.0 points per game, making a program-record 123 three-pointers along the way. Jarell Flora was voted Second Team All-WAC as he averaged 13.7 points per game, including making 80 three-pointers.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF: The Golden Lions posted a 12-20 record during the 2014-15 second, including a 9-9 record within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) to finish in a tie for fifth place in the league standings. Arkansas-Pine Bluff scored 59.8 points per game and gave up 66.9 points per contest. As a team, the Golden Lions shot 40.1 percent from the field, including 33.2 percent from behind the three-point line, and 68.0 percent from the free throw line. JoVaughn Love is the team’s leading returning player, averaging 10.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Ghiavonni Robinson also returns for the Golden Lions after making 54 three-pointers last season as he averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. After facing the Redhawks, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will travel to face Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Cincinnati, and Nebraska before Thanksgiving. This will be the first meeting all-time between Seattle U and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE: The Hornets finished the 2014-15 season with a 21-12 record, advancing to the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Sacramento State finished in a tie for third place in the Big Sky Conference last year with a 13-5 league mark. The Hornets will open the 2015-16 season at Arizona State Friday evening before traveling to Seattle. The Hornets scored 71.0 points per game and allowed 68.2 points per contest. As a team, Sacramento State shot 48.6 percent from the field, including 40.8 percent from behind the three-point line, and 73.6 percent from the free throw line. Cody Demps is the top returning player for the Hornets, averaging 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Demps shot 50.2 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line last season. Eric Stuteville (7.1 ppg, 52.5% FG) and Nick Hornsby (6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) also return for the Hornets this season.