PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 6, 2019) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo men's basketball team begins the 2019-20 season hosting the 36th Annual Al Kaly Shrine Classic, Nov. 8-9 at Massari Arena. The ThunderWolves play at 7:30 p.m. each day and host Cameron University Friday and Midwestern State University Saturday.
THE PACK
• The ThunderWolves being a new era with first-year head coach
Matt Hammer. Hammer was named the seventh head coach in program history on April 16. He had previously been the head coach at Sheridan College for the last five seasons where he collected a record of 118-43 (.733). Hammer is familiar with NCAA Division II after playing and coaching at Northern State University in South Dakota. This fall he was enshrined into the NSU Athletics Hall of Fame for his prolific playing career that included conference player of the year honors.
• The Pack returns four players from last season's team. Center
Jason Anderson and forward
Donovan Oldham are back for their senior years. Sophomore guards
Tyson Gilbert and
Dalen Jackson return after successful first years on the court. Anderson, Gilbert and Oldham were all named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Players to Watch.
• Oldham was an All-RMAC Honorable Mention selection last season after leading the team in scoring (12.4 ppg) and minutes (29.8 mpg). Anderson returns for his third season with the team after he played in all 28 games and started 26. He led the ThunderWolves in rebounding (5.2 rpg) and was second in both points (10.8 ppg) and assists (1.9 apg).
• Gilbert played in all 28 and started 18 contests for the Pack last season. In 22.2 minutes per game he led the team with 2.5 assists per game and added 7.4 points per contest. Jackson found success as well with 5.9 points in 15.6 minutes per game. He played in 24 contests and earned five starts. His 1.6 assists per game was good for third on the team.
• The ThunderWolves were picked to finish 12th in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Pack are coming off a season where they went 6-22 overall and 4-18 in conference play to finish tied for 14th in the league standings.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS (Click their name for their full bio)
#1
Brandon McGhee (Sr., G, Oakland, Calif.)
#5
Dante Boeglin (Fr., G, Albuquerque, N.M.)
#10
David Simental (R-So., G, Pueblo West, Colo.)
#12
Bendeguz Bonifert (Jr., F, Szeged, Hungary)
#21
Ajiing Ajang (Jr., C, Phoenix, Ariz.)
#23
Jaedon Bowles (Fr., F, Aurora, Colo.)
#24
Bryce Sanchious (Jr., F, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
#33
Trevion Brown (Jr., G, Tacoma, Wash.)
#40
Marc Syle (Jr., C, Miami, Fla.)
THE AGGIES
• The Pack and Aggies have played each other five times in program history with CSU-Pueblo holding a 3-2 advantage. The last time these two teams met was 1994 when the Aggies won 61-56 at a neutral site.
• Cameron plays in the Lone Star Conference, which has expanded since last year after combing with the Heartland Conference. CU finished tied for eighth in last year's LSC standings with a 5-13 conference mark. The team finished 9-20 overall.
• This season the Aggies were picked to finish T-14th in the preseason poll.
• The Aggies return nine players, including three seniors, from last season.
• Cameron lost their top two scorers from last season, but return senior Jordan Lewis, who finished third in scoring with 8.5 points per game. Senior Jalen Nicholas led the team with 6.2 rebounds per game and added 7.8 points per game.
THE MUSTANGS
• The ThunderWolves and Mustangs have met seven times since 2011. The Pack trail in the series 3-4, which includes a home loss last year by the score of 92-66. CSU-Pueblo is 2-3 at home in those meetings.
• MSU Texas also plays in the Lone Star. Last season the Mustangs went 9-19 overall and 5-13 in league play to finish tied for eighth in the 10-team league.
• MSU Texas was picked to finish 12th in the LSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mustangs have a new head coach in Justin Leslie.
• Midwestern State returns four players from last season's team and have four players listed as seniors on the squad.
• The Mustangs lost their top five scorers from last season. Returning this year are senior guard D'monta Harris (7.5 ppg in 28 games), senior guard Darius Thompson (7.5 ppg in two games), sophomore guard Trae Jones (5.4 ppg in 27 games/8 starts) and senior guard Elijah Lee (3.9 ppg, 4.1 apg in 28 games/27 starts).Senior forward Ola Ayodele averaged 4.2 points and 4.7 points per game in 2017-18 before sitting out last season due to injury.
NEXT UP
The ThunderWolves have a weekend off before returning to action Nov. 22-23 at the Dacotah Bank Classic, hosted by Hammer's alma matter Northern State University. CSU-Pueblo will play the host Wolves Friday at 6:30 p.m. MT and then battle University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. MT. Both teams are in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
