AJ Blevins
Basketball season at UCCS is right around the corner, beginning with men’s basketball this week. Let’s take a look at what to expect from the team.
Last year the men’s team ended the season with a record of 7-9 with a handful of games being canceled. They are set to play their first game of the season at home against Northern New Mexico on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
While last season may not have ended how the team wanted, this season is a fresh start with lots of opportunities to keep up with their expectations. The team has had many players shine and show their talents but let’s take a look at a few that stand out.
First, the team has 6-foot-5-inch sophomore guard/forward Alijah Comithier.
Comithier ended his freshman season with a field goal percentage of .600 and 267 points in just 14 games, placing him at 19.1 points per game. Comithier ended the season in the top three of almost every statistical category for the team: first in points, first in field goal percentage, third in three pointers made, first in free throws made, third in rebounds, third in blocks and second in steals.
With Comithier reaching all these goals as just a freshman, the sky is the limit.
Alongside Comithier there is redshirt junior forward Cameron Underwood. Underwood ended last season with a .432 field goal percentage and putting up 153 points in 16 games. Underwood averaged 9.6 points per game while also having the third highest free throw percentage on the team at 81.3%.
Another player to look for is junior Jon’il Fugett, who previously played at West Texas A&M. At West Texas A&M he averaged 12.9 points per game, 2.7 assists per game and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8% from the field.
The team has been ranked fourth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll, with Black Hills State, Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Mesa being ranked above them. The season opener against Northern New Mexico will be the first chance to see where the team will go this season.
