REDHAWKS BATTLE EAGLES, TAKE TWO: For the second time in the span of six days, Seattle University and Eastern Washington will renew their intrastate rivalry, this time on Seattle U’s home floor at KeyArena. The first game was highlighted by an improved shooting performance for the Redhawks, but an even better long-range shooting exhibition from the Eagles. The new players for Seattle U are starting to make an impact, giving the team the boost it needs to start putting victories together as the non-conference season continues.
WAC PRESEASON HONOR: William Powell was voted Second Team All-WAC by the conference coaches in the preseason poll taken in October. Powell is Seattle U’s leading returning scorer and rebounder after averaging 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, shooting 51.3 percent from the field in the process.
ALSO RETURNING: Including Powell, five players who saw action for the Redhawks during the 2014-15 season will return to the Seattle U program this year. Jack Crook is the team’s other returning starter, averaging 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as he shot 51.1 percent from the field. Jadon Cohee saw action in all 34 games for the Redhawks last season, including six starts, averaging 5.7 points per game. Cohee played for Team Canada over the summer at the FIBA U19 World Championships. Manny Chibuogwu appeared in 28 games during the 2014-15 campaign, featuring back-to-back eight-point, four-rebound performances against Missouri-Kansas City and Chicago State in February. Manroop Clair scored 50 points in 16 appearances for the Redhawks in 2014-15, and he is expected to be more of a shooting presence off the bench for Seattle U this season.
AND NOW INTRODUCING: Seven new players will appear in Redhawk uniforms during the 2015-16 season, including two players who redshirted during their first year of college: guard Jack Shaughnessy and center Aaron Menzies. Junior college transfer Brendan Westendorf joins the Redhawks after earning conference MVP honors at Big Bend Community College. Besides Kent native Westendorf, two other local players will have the opportunity to compete in front of friends and family on a consistent basis: Malik Montoya from Federal Way and Zack Moore from Bellevue. Also joining the Redhawk program this season are freshmen Matej Kavas and Jake Spurgeon.