From SGU Sports
Brad Collins, Sports Information Director
A new era in St. Gregory’s men’s basketball begins this weekend in Louisiana. The Cavaliers, under the direction of first-year head coach Dylan Lemley, open their 2016-17 campaign Saturday at nationally ranked LSU-Shreveport.
In addition to its coaching staff, SGU adds several new players to a team that finished 10-17 last season. Seven newcomers will join eight returnees to fill out the roster.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can do,” said Lemley, who was promoted to head coach in April after serving one season as an assistant at SGU. “Any time you have as many new faces as we do, you worry about how they will all mesh. This team established a chemistry early on, though.”
The Cavs lost three of their top four scoring options from a season ago, but return Rodney Smith, Phoenix Bills, Zachary Lemusu, James Bickers and Tim Stromberg – all of whom started games in 2015-16.
Among the newcomers are transfers Pablo Bianchi (West Kentucky CC), Jordan Rutherofrd (Oklahoma Christian), Tyler Tucker (Johnson County CC) and Kilder Gonzalez (West Kentucky CC). All were top scoring options at their previous schools.
SGU’s schedule features 13 games against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll in addition to match-ups against three NCAA Division II schools.
The Cavs open with No. 24 LSUS this weekend before hosting the Pilots – along with No. 14 Our Lady of the Lake – over Thanksgiving break. SGU’s home opener is November 4 against University of the Southwest.