Kats set to kick off 2017-18
11/10/2017 5:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game 1
Saturday, Nov. 11 • Huntsville • 6:30 p.m. CT • Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (6,100)
Sam Houston State (0-0, 0-0 Southland) vs UT Tyler (0-0, 0-0 American Southwest)
Live Stats • @BearkatsMBB on Twitter
HUNTSVILLE – With three 20-win seasons in the last four years, the Sam Houston State Bearkats will begin their quest for their fourth in five years on Saturday when they kick off the 2017-18 season against UT Tyler at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
The Bearkats feature seven returners from a 21-win team a year ago that advanced to the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament, including preseason all-SLC point guard John Dewey III. As a sophomore Dewey finished second in the league with 4.9 assists per game and averaged 10.0 points per game. Christopher Galbreath Jr. also returns for his second year with the club after averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Coach Jason Hooten's team will also feature nine newcomers, including six freshmen, after bringing in a talented signing class for this year. Transfers Abrian Edwards (Paris JC), Devin Jackson (Paris JC) and Freddy Bitondo (San Jacinto JC) are expected to make an immediate impact, while the Kats are also expecting big things from guard Marcus Harris who gains eligibility this year after sitting out 2016-17 following a transfer from the Unviersity of San Diego.
Fans can follow on via live stats at SamHouston.Statbroadcast.com or get live updates by following @BearkatsMBB on Twitter.
Saturday will mark the first of two home games for the Kats to open the season with a Tuesday meeting with Schreiner also on the schedule for next week before they hit the road to take on Idaho in Moscow on their way to Anchorage, Ak., for three games at the final Great Alaska Shootout.
Few teams have been as successful as the Kats in the last four years with their 89 wins in that span being the most in school history and the fourth-most among all teams in Texas. The defensive-minded Bearkats will look to continue that trend as well, one which saw them lead the SLC in both defensive field-goal percentage (42.6) and turnovers forced (16.3).
SERIES vs UT TYLER
- The Bearkats have won eight of the last 12 meetings with the Cowboys dating back to the 2007-08 season, and are 4-4 under head coach Jason Hooten. Sam Houston already owns a 74-67 win over the Cowboys this season when the Kats had to rally to erase a 34-31 halftime deficit, leading by as much as 11 in the second half. The Kats were led by Chris Galbreath's 10 points and 11 rebounds.
BEARKAT BYTES
- Sam Houston's win over UCA in the opening round of the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament secured the 17th 20-win season in school history and the third under Jason Hooten, including 3 of the last 4 years.
- Sam Houston's 8-game conference win streak in 2016-17 was tied for the longest SLC win streak for the Kats in the Jason Hooten era. The 2014-15 squad also won 8 in a row on their way to a 26-9 overall mark and 15-3 record in league play.
- John Dewey III exploded for 31 points in Sam's home loss to Abilene Christian on Feb. 25, with 26 coming in the second half. It was the first 30-point game for the Kats since 2011 and the most points by any Bearkat since Gilberto Clavell had 35 at Texas State on March 6, 2010.
- Sam Houston finished with a 7-0 record in the month of January last year. It was the first undefeated January for the Kats since joining the Division I ranks.
- The Kats reached the 70-point mark 24 times last season, going 19-5 in those games. Their first 2 losses came on the road at Ohio and Georgia Tech, before falling in conference play in OT at Lamar, at HBU and at home against ACU.
AMONG THE LONE STAR ELITE
With 23 Division I basketball teams within Texas' borders, one does not have to look far within the Lone Star State to find quality teams. In the last 4 seasons under Jason Hooten, the Bearkats have been one of those teams and this season having won 89 games since the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign. The only teams with more wins in that span include Stephen F. Austin (108), SMU (109) and Baylor (99).
FAREWELL TO WINNING PIECES
ONE KAT IS A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH
REST OF THE KATS STILL CUTTING THEIR TEETH
GETTING OUT OF DODGE
Boutte may be a new face for the Kats, but he does not lack familiarity with the Bearkat coaching staff. Assistant coach Kyle Campbell is in his first year on the Bearkat coaching staff and spent the last 5 years as the head coach at Dodge City Community College, where he was Boutte's head coach the past 2 seasons. Campbell compiled a 92-66 record at DCCC in his tenure, helping Boutte to honorable mention all-America honors last year after the sophomore averaged a double-double for the year.
KATS RECOGNIZED FOR APR EXCELLENCE
YOUNG AND LONG BODES WELL FOR THE FUTURE
Getting longer and more athletic was a point of emphasis for the Bearkats in its last signing class, and the coaching staff made sure that was addressed. Sam Houston will sport four players on this year's roster - all freshmen or a redshirt freshman - checking in at 6-8 or taller. Both Chidozie Ndu and Justin Van Pelt list at 6-11, while Bubba Furlong is in at 6-9 and Manny Gatkek at 6-8 with expansive wingspans. The Kats had just 2 players on last year's roster at 6-9 or taller, with one being Van Pelt during his redshirt season.
BENCH MARK
GETTING DEFENSIVE
SEEING DOUBLE
TEACH ME HOW TO DEWEY
