PUEBLO, Colo. – Colorado State University Pueblo head men's basketball coach Matt Hammer comes into the 2023-24 season with a lot of enthusiasm as his squad seeks to climb the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings and play in the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Hammer's fifth ThunderWolves team will look to make its push for a spot in the RMAC Tournament with a squad that is almost completely different than the one that ended last season with a home win over Regis University.

All five starters from that Regis game have departed, in fact, the Pack returns just two of its top eight scorers and a total of four lettermen from last season's 12-16 squad that finished tied for 11th in the RMC with an 8-14 record.

"We have a lot of new faces this year. We added some older transfers and I think that the biggest thing I'm noticing this season is we have a little more maturity with our guys and on our team," Hammer said. "That maturity has been showing up both on and off the floor with this group. They are a fun group to coach because when you come to the gym every day, they're going to play hard and they're going to compete."

Hammer enters the 2023-24 season welcoming back just 29.3 percent of its scoring, 24 percent of its rebounding and 31.3 percent of its minutes played from its four returning players from a season ago.

Two of the Pack's top returning players are senior guard Makiah Morris (San Diego, Calif./San Diego City College) and junior forward De'Shaun Cooper (Poway, Calif./Balboa School). Those two combined for 457 points, 189 rebounds, 51 assists, 21 blocks, 54 steals and 1,202 minutes last season.

"I am excited about what those two bring to the table this year. I think both of them we will much improved from what we saw last season," the coach said about his top two returners.

Morris is the top returning scorer from 2022-23 as he averaged 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game and shot 41 percent from the field, 36 percent from the 3-point line and 81 percent at the free throw line in 27 games. Morris started 25 of those 27 games last season.

"Kai was our best perimeter defender last year. He was the guy that we put on the other team's best player and he'll probably have that same role this season," Hammer said about Morris. "I expect him to take over a little more workload on the offensive end and another thing we didn't see a ton of last year, but he's really looking to see the floor and find the open teammate."

Cooper is the lone inside player returning from a season ago as he averaged 6.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game and blocked 15 shots and shot a team-best 59 percent from the field and made 63 percent of his free throw attempts.

"I think that with a lot of change over in the league during the offseason, I think De'Shaun will be one of, if not, the most athletic big in the league and I think he's going to have a really special year," said Hammer about Cooper's play this season. "We are trying to get him to be more disciplined on the defensive end and not pick up silly fouls and play hard all the time. He's going to be a force on the block and guy that is going to bring it every night."

In addition to Morris and Cooper, the team's other two returners from last season – sophomore guard Sam Howery (Colorado Springs, Colo./St. Mary's) and sophomore guard Hilmir Hallgrimsson (Reykjavik, Iceland/Gardabaer Comprehensive Secondary School) combined to play 535 minutes last season and score a total of 120 points for the Pack.

Howery played in 23 games and made one start as a freshman and averaged 3.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, while Halgrimsson played in 22 games as a freshman and averaged 2.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per game and 13 of his 16 made field goals were 3-pointers.

"Sam will play some minutes at the point guard spot for us. He's a guy when he's on the floor, the ball is going to move. He plays with pace and great intensity," added Hammer. "Hilmir is a very good shooter and I expect him to be able to knock down some more shots this season."

With a limited amount of experienced players returning, Hammer and his coaching staff set out on the recruiting trail to find quality transfers that played on winning programs and also players that were good students and ones that were coachable.

"Every new player we brought in, every single one them had a great GPA where they were at and most of them are coming from programs that have won, which was important to us as a coaching staff," the Pack coach stated. "But the most exciting part about this group of transfers is since I've been here at CSU Pueblo, we've never had a group be in the gym on their own as much as these guys have and that just shows the maturity that we have as a team. These guys love the game and want to be in the gym working on their game and getting better."

Another thing Hammer likes about this year's team is their ability to get along together, something that has been lacking in the program the past few seasons.

"This group of guys really enjoys being around each other and I think that is important when it comes to having a good team. This team has bought into what we are trying to do this season," the coach said.

Perhaps the biggest impact newcomer this season for Hammer's fifth Pack team is a player that is not a stranger to the RMAC – senior transfer guard Brevin Walter (Las Vegas, Nev.), who played the last three seasons at South Dakota Mines. In his three years (2020-23) playing with the Hardrockers, Walter scored 1,264 points and was a two-time All-RMAC selection, including earning Second-Team honors as a junior in 2022-23 after averaging 20.3 points per game, which was fourth-best in the RMAC and making nearly 85 percent of his free throws. Walter redshirted as a freshman in 2019-20 and has two seasons of playing eligibility remaining.

"I felt like last season our team struggled to score at times, especially late in games and in close games, so having a player like Brevin that is a proven scorer in this league is really exciting for us, especially with the guys that we have around him," Hammer said about Walter's impact on this year's team.

Hammer said that he expects more out of Walter, who is expected to miss the at least the first two games of the season due to an injury suffered in practice a few weeks ago, than his ability to score and that is what he preached to him during the recruiting process in the spring.

"We didn't bring him here just to be a scorer. We brought him here to be a player. There's times we are going to score a lot of points, but the big thing, is for him to make the right play. We know teams will limit his touches and take some things away from him, but the big thing is just making the right play when the defense gives it to you," added Hammer. "Having a guy that is close to a 90 percent free throw shooter that we can get the ball too late in games and close it, especially in close games, is going to be huge for our team."

Along with Walter, the Pack added two junior college transfers from California in junior guards Aurrion Harris (Merced, Calif./Columbia College) and Armon Muldrew (Perris, Calif./San Bernardino Valley). As a sophomore at Columbia Junior College, Harris was named both an All-State and All-League selection as a sophomore and also earned the League Defensive Player of the Year accolade after averaging 10.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the Claim Jumpers, while Muldrew scored over 1,000 points in his two seasons with the Wolverines as he averaged 16.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

"Last season, Kai was our primary defender on the other team's best perimeter player, but Arrion can also be that guy. Along with being able to defend well, he is also a good rebounder for a guard as he averaged nearly eight boards per game, which is impressive. His versatility on the defensive end is going to be huge for us," Hammer said. "I'm really excited among Armon. I think he has a chance to have a special year and make a name for himself in the league. He is extremely quick and athletic and can get to his spots. He is really good at attacking the rim and is another guy that late in games when we need a bucket, he's a guy that we can put the ball in his hands and get us a bucket."

Another transfer guard for the Pack this season is graduate student transfer guard from Cal State Dominguez Hills - Isaiah Morris (San Diego, Calif.), who is the brother of Makiah Morris. In his three seasons playing at NCAA Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills, Morris scored 276 points, pulled down 157 rebounds, dished out 148 assists, collected 51 steals and blocked nine shots in 76 games and 18 starts.

"Isaiah's been a pleasant surprise. He's come in since the beginning of preseason practice and has made the right play almost all the time. It's been really impressive how well he understands what we're trying to do and he is our best talker on the defensive end," the coach said. "He also brings a chip on his shoulder as he is very competitive and doesn't back down. He's not the tallest point guard out there, but he's strong and solid and is never going to back down and not compete."

Perhaps one of the biggest impact junior college transfers this season will be junior guard Daeyon James (Stockbridge, Ga./Seward County CC). As a sophomore at Seward County last year, James averaged 10.9 points per and shot 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from the 3-point line.

"We kind of lucked out on D.J. He had to sit out the last half of his second season at Seward County, because I think he is a guy that might've drawn more attention from coaches and gotten snatched up had he played in front of more coaches for a full season," Hammer said. "He can heat up in a hurry. He can rattle off two or three 3-pointers in a few possessions and really extend leads."

Last season, the Pack struggled to shoot from the perimeter as they connected on just 31 percent of its 562 3-point shot attempts. The Pack made just 6.2 treys per game a season ago and Hammer hopes James will help improve that number.

"We really struggled last year shooting from the 3-point line, so to have a guy out there that the other team has to respect, they have to get out on like D.J. is just going to open more driving lanes for our other guards," added Hammer. "The big thing for him is to keep things simple on the offensive end and not trying to do too much and defensively, just continuing to try to teach him our system and what we're trying to do."

Along with adding five transfers to the roster, Hammer has also brought in three freshmen that he expects to contribute this season. The three freshmen are guard Corbin Garver (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy), forward Ty Adam (Severance, Colo./Severance) and guard Shad Levy (Geismar, La./Dunham).

Garver comes to CSU Pueblo after a standout prep career at Air Academy. He was a three-time Pikes Peak Athletic Conference selection and was named both the Conference Player of the Year and the Colorado Springs Gazette All-Area Player of the Year as a senior last year. Averaged 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game for the Kadets and helped lead the school to a Class 5A State Runner-up finish in 2023.

"Corbin is kind of like a Swiss army knife. He can do some different things on the floor. He can guard different spots and really has a nose for the ball," said Hammer. "He's got a super high ceiling and is guy that is just scratching the surface of how good he can be."

Adam was a three-year lettermen at Severance High School and was a three-time All-Conference selection, including being named the Conference Player of the Year twice. Was a two-time All-State selection as he was an Honorable Mention selection in 2021-22 and a First-Team honoree in 2022-23 and was named the Greeley Tribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a senior. Adam averaged 21.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and shot 64 percent from the field in his high school career.

"We don't have a ton of depth inside, but Ty is going to get thrown into the fire early. He's going to play a ton of minutes for us and there's going to be some ups-and-downs, but he is such a great kid and is extremely competitive. He is a guy that when he makes a mistake it bothers him and he just wants to keep working to get better," Hammer said. "It's kind of nice having a different big than De'Shaun. Ty is going to be able to step out and stretch the floor a little bit. He also has a knack for the ball and will be able to be a good rebounder."

The third freshman, Levy, comes to CSU Pueblo after lettering for three years at Dunham School in Geismar, La. He averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in his time with the Tigers and earned Second-Team All-State honors as a senior in 2023.

"Shad is one of the strongest incoming freshman I have ever had. He's put together well. He's explosive, but he's a freshman and is going to have freshman moments, but I think he's going to be a guy that is going to come off the bench and really bring some positive things, especially defensively. He can guard a lot of different areas and be physical out there on the floor," added Hammer.

Hammer said that one of the things he likes about this year's team is he believes they have more firepower on offense than they've had in recent seasons, but his team this season lacks depth inside and that might force some adjustments to how his team's will play.

"I think we have more firepower on the offensive end than we've had in the last few years, but defensive, we don't have a ton of depth inside and if we have those nights where we get into foul trouble or we've got to go small, we will have to get creative and do some different things that what I've done in the past. I'm excited about that as I think we have a group of guys that will put in the time to try and learn what they're trying to do," the coach stated.

One of the biggest keys to the season according to the fifth-year Pack head coach will he his team's ability to shoot the basketball from both the field and at the free throw line. Last season, the Pack lost seven games, including six RMAC games by seven or fewer points, including two games where they lost by one possession.

"Last year we were towards the bottom of the conference in offense and were also towards the bottom in three-pointers made as a team and dead last in free throw percentage as a team," the coach said. "There were a lot of games where with five minutes left, we were right there, but we just couldn't make the plays on the offensive end down the stretch. I'm excited about the guys coming in and the returners that we have. I think we're going to be able to be a better team down the stretch this season."

Hammer expects this year's team to be more experienced and more mature and that should help the Pack win those close games they didn't win a season ago.

"I think maturity is such a big part of winning games late and winning close games. There's a big difference between the shots you take the first four minutes of the game versus the shots you take the last four minutes of a game. I think we have guys this season that understand that and that will be helpful as the season progresses," Hammer said. "The one thing I've seen in the preseason is that we've got a few more options that can stretch the floor and knock down threes for us, compared to what we had last season. But perhaps the biggest thing is that these guys look for their teammates and try to make it easier for their teammates and that is a big thing, especially late in the game. When you're playing against a good team, you've got to work to find that open shot."

One of the things Hammer likes about this year's Pack team is the culture that has been created with the players on the roster.

"I think we've got a great culture developed with this team. I've never had a team at CSU Pueblo that's been in the gym on their own as much as this team has been and that's exciting as a coach," the Pack coach added. "We don't have a ton of experienced in the RMAC returning this season, but we got some transfers in that I think we make a huge difference this season. I also feel like we have some great guys with strong character and that also should make us more competitive this season."

In the Preseason RMAC Coaches' Poll, the Pack were tabbed to finish 12th as they earned 55 points from the league's 15 head coaches. Colorado Mesa was tabbed to be the league favorite as they earned 186 points and eight first place votes, while Fort Lewis was tabbed second as they earned 177 points and four first place votes.

"I think every coach around the league, except for Ryan Thompson at Black Hills State is excited that Joel Scott's gone and now playing at Colorado State. He was just a different animal. I think as we've gotten further away from COVID, the more we are starting to see some of these guys that have been here five, six and seven years finally be gone. I think that 18 of the Top 20 scorers in the league from last year are out of the conference and actually one of them has transferred to us in Brevin (Walter)," Hammer said when asked about the league this season. "The top half of the league (Mesa, Fort Lewis, Mines and Black Hills State) will still be good this season, but I'm excited to see a lot of new and fresh faces around the league. I'm also excited because I think we have some talent coming in and we'll be able to do some things this season."

The Pack's first opponent to open the 2023-24 season is Midwestern State. The Mustangs were tabbed to finish ninth in the Preseason Lone Star Conference poll as they earned 298 points. CSU Pueblo opened the 2022-23 season with a 79-59 win at home against the Mustangs.

Leading the way for the Mustangs is senior guard Pierre Sanders, who was named to the LSC's Preseason Player to Watch List, after averaging 13.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 2022-23. Sanders was named a Third-Team All-LSC selection last season.

Along with Sanders, other key returners for the Mustangs are sophomore guard Mason Gibson (5.2 ppg), sophomore forward Duncan Alevok (1.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 25 blocked shots) and sophomore guard Logan Epe (1.9 ppg). In addition, the Mustangs added four transfers with Division I experience including junior forward Reggie Hill from Northwestern (La.) State, junior forward Will Shepherd from Oakland (Mich.) University, junior guard Bakari LaStrap from IUPUI and junior forward Austin Lewis from Holy Cross.

"They've got a decent amount of returners from last year. They are going to be talented, because Coach (Justin) Leslie gets some good players in there. Plus, it is not an easy place to play at. It is a pretty intimidating arena walking into it," Hammer said when asked about Midwestern State.

Justin Leslie is entering his fifth season at helm of the Midwestern State program and has led the Mustangs to an average of 12 wins per season. Last season, Midwestern State went 12-16 overall and 9-13 in the LSC.

Friday's game with Midwestern State will mark the 11th all-time meeting between the two schools with the series being tied at 5-5. The Pack have won two of the last three games in the series with the Mustangs' lone win coming at home in 2021 as they earned a 77-64 victory.

Meanwhile, Cameron, who opens its 2023-24 season with a 7:30 p.m. CT home game against UCCS before facing the Pack on Saturday, was tabbed to finish 16th out of 16 teams in the Preseason LSC Poll as the Aggies earned 93 points. Cameron posted a 4-24 overall record and a 2-20 mark in the LSC during the 2022-23 campaign.

Among the top returners for the Aggies is junior guard Reggie Prudhomme, who was named to the LSC Preseason Player of the Watch List after averaging 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season.

During the offseason, Cameron second-year head coach Kevin O'Connor brought in nine new players for the 2023-24 season. Among the key newcomers for the Aggies are junior guard Lavell Brodnex, who is a transfer from Wagner College and junior forward Jaxon Ingram, who is a transfer from Arkansas-Fort Smith.

"Cameron lost a couple of good players from last season, but returns a couple of their guards that were high minute guys last season. They also brought in some transfers as well," said Hammer when asked about Cameron. "Anytime you go on the road, it's always going to be a battle and it's never going to be easy."

Saturday's game with Cameron marks the sixth all-time meeting between the two schools with the Pack holding a 4-1 all-time edge in the series, including earning a 76-75 home win last season over the Aggies.

Following this weekend's action in the South Central Regional Crossover, the Pack will open the home portion of its 2023-24 schedule next weekend (Nov. 17-18) by playing back-to-back games in Massari Arena against Alaska-Fairbanks as part of the Al Kaly Shrine Classic. The Pack will open its home schedule on Nov. 17 with a 7 p.m. game against the Nanooks and then face the Nanooks again on Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.