THOMASVILLE, GA- The Thomas University Men's basketball begins its journey back to the SUN Conference tournament Friday night, as the Night Hawks travels to Marietta, Ga to compete in the annual Life University Classic. The Green and White will play the host school, Life University on Friday before battling against Dalton State College on Saturday.
Despite the Night Hawks not making an appearance in last year's SUN Conference tournament, Thomas was able to end their 21-22 slate with a victory against Coastal Georgia.
Thomas will look to turn things around with key returners that include fifth year, Jordan Booker. The Powder Spring, Ga native finished last season as SUN's top stealer, averaging 3.4 a game. Additionally, Booker finished second in the conference in assists a game (4.1). The veteran point guard will also have help around the perimeter with Junior Deonta Jones, Senior Tim Williamson and Graduate Toriano Lewis to help be vocal leaders and role models on the court.
Interim Head Coach, Colin Cotter has taken over the helm for the Green and White as he was able to bring in-depth both inside and outside the paint. Cotter was able to pick multiple key veteran transfers like Center Mohammed Abubakar and Forward Taylor Mitchell. Abubakar will add height in the paint for the Night Hawks as the Lagos, Nigeria native averaged 3.1 rebounds per game, with a combined total of 12 blocks at his previous school. Taylor Mitchell will also be a force to reckon with inside the paint as the Powder Springs, Ga native notched 3.5 rebounds a game and averaged 36% from the field.
Thomas as a whole comes off a season in which the team scored 66.2 points a game and has allowed 70.2 points. The Night Hawks were impressive with creating second chance points, forcing nearly 11 turnovers per game as well.
Life University will have a deja vu moment after opening their 21-22 slate with the Night Hawks last year with a slim 87-79 win against the Green and White. Despite the season opener win for the Eagles last year, Life is coming off a losing season. The team as a whole averaged 70.6 points and only 12.1 assists coming off a nine game winning season.
Life holds the historical advantage against the Night Hawks as Thomas will look to make a statement to open their season.
Dalton State will get a glimpse of the Night Hawks on Saturday. The RoadRunners are coming off a losing season as well for both regular season and conference. Additionally, Dalton State was still able to make an SSAC tournament appearance, before falling to Talladage College 58-70. The Night Hawks will have a challenge on their hands as Dalton State averaged nearly 70 points per game last year. The Blue and White will have key returners to cover the perimeter and create scoring opportunities. Donavan Miller will be a key contributor for Dalton State as the Guard Junior is returning after coming off a season averaging 10.9 points, shooting 33% from the field. Franklin Almonte will also help contribute boards as the Laurel, Miss native accumulated 5.5 rebounds a game.
Thomas holds the historical advantage over Dalton State.
Tip- Off at the Eagles' Net on Friday is set for 7pm against Life and 12pm against Dalton State College on Saturday.
TU VS LIFE (10/28)
Live Stats (XML)
Live Video
TU VS DS @ LIFE (10/29)
Live Stats (XML)
Live Video:
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit
http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by play, and feature stories of your TU Men's Basketball team by following them via Twitter at
@NightHawksMBKB.
