2018-19 MBB Preview: Returners
HUNTSVILLE – With the 2018-19 season just around the corner, head coach Jason Hooten looks to seven veteran Bearkats to guide the Sam Houston State men’s basketball team to a strong campaign.
Led by senior Marcus Harris, who earned Southland Conference preseason laurels, the Bearkats return four seniors and three sophomores for Hooten’s ninth season at the helm.
“A lot of the guys coming back are very selfless individuals and that helps the process any time you have new, talented people coming into the program,” Hooten said. “You don’t want your older guys to be the type of player that is worried about playing time or things that don’t matter to a team concept. We’re fortunate and blessed to have great student-athletes returning that have really helped the new guys.”
GUARDS
Made up entirely of guards, the Bearkats’ senior class features the familiar faces of Albert Almanza, Cameron and Josh Delaney, as well as Harris. Harris was named to the SLC 2018-19 Preseason All-Conference second team on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Harris, who took a redshirt during the 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules, had a fantastic opening season with the Bearkat squad after making the switch from San Diego. The lone returning starter from last season, he made 30 starts in 34 appearances as a junior and averaged 9.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
“Marcus has been solid and steady us,” Hooten said. “He has a lot of talent and he’s a guy who I definitely think could take it to another level, which is what we need him to do.”
Another integral piece of the Bearkat squad is Josh Delaney, who was named to the all-tournament team at the SLC Tournament last season after averaging 19.0 points per game and hitting nine three-pointers in two games. He is joined by his twin brother, Cameron, who made four starts in 35 appearances last season.
“Josh is just a solid piece to the puzzle and he’s a very dependable player,” Hooten added. “He’s nearing the school’s three-point record and has definitely overachieved in his career. Josh is a chemistry guy and the glue that holds us together, so we really lean on and depend on his leadership.
“Cameron has really improved in the offseason and he’s one of the guys who I think will step in and play a bigger role than he has in the past.”
Another skilled weapon who brings a wealth of experience to the squad is Almanza. He will make his return to the court after sustaining a season-ending injury midway through his junior campaign. Before his knee injury, Almanza made 22 appearances and averaged 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
“Albert had a really good freshman year and then he kind of got caught up in the numbers game with players who were also really talented,” Hooten said. “I think that this year is going to be a really big year for him.”
One of three sophomores returning, Dajuan Jones made 14 appearances for the Bearkats as a true freshman. He averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 assists per game and turned in 10 key minutes in Sam Houston’s CIT victory at UTSA, collecting five points and a season-high five assists.
“Dajuan has been really solid and has really improved since last year,” Hooten noted. “There will be nights when he is going to help us win some game and there’ll be some nights when he doesn’t play as much. He’s a really high-character, dependable guy and I think he has accepted his role.”
FORWARDS
Gaining a year of Division I basketball experience, sophomores Bubba Furlong and Chidozie Ndu will step into bigger roles in hopes of adding depth inside the paint. Furlong made seven starts and 24 appearances as a true freshman, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game. Ndu, who is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, made 18 appearances inside and average 1.4 points per game.
“Chidozie and Bubba have definitely improved since last year, but we have a way to go in their development,” Hooten said. “It is kind of hit or miss with them right now and we want to get a lot more out of them. They’re working very hard and we are continuing to work hard to get them to that next level.”
Hooten on the group of returners
“All the returners have a little more experience and are better coming into this season,” Hooten said. “They’re more established in what we’re trying to do and I think we have more talent to complement them. Last season, we had a couple of guys who were a little more selfish and I don’t see that in this team. I see that these guys want to share the ball and support one another.”
This strong group of returners will be joined by seven talented newcomers, who Hooten believes will make an immediate impact on the court. The Bearkats are set to begin their season on Tuesday, Nov. 6 with a 6:30 p.m. contest against East Texas Baptist at Johnson Coliseum. For all the latest information on the Sam Houston State men’s basketball team, visit gobearkats.com or follow @BearkatsMBB on Twitter.
