Men's Basketball 11/18/2020 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Returns To The Court

Bronchos Open New-Look Season Thursday Night

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma men's basketball team is set to open the 2020-21 season Thursday against Missouri Southern with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff scheduled at Hamilton Field House.

The ongoing health crisis continues to dictate operations. UCO is allowing fans to attend the game, but only at 25 percent capacity. The university is only selling tickets online as well in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Those who do attend must wear a mask and fans are asked to socially distance themselves from anyone not in their immediate party.

The game will also air live on The MIAA Network and will be broadcast on 95.3 KOKC, with Tony Sellars calling the action.

Now in his second season as head coach, Bob Hoffman is looking to turn his experience from year one into a successful second trip through the MIAA. Central went 11-18 last season and finished eighth in the league standings. The Bronchos did make the MIAA Tournament thanks to a well-timed four-game win streak over the final four games of the regular season.

Central Oklahoma returns 10 players from last year's squad, including three players that started at least 19 of the team's 29 games. Camryn Givens, Justin Nimmer, and Seth Hurd all started a majority of Central's contests last season.

Givens' 10.4 points per game is the most of any returner and he led the team last year with 5.6 rebounds per game. Nimmer averaged 8.5 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. Hurd put up 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds as a true freshman last season.

D.J. Basey is also back for his sophomore season after posting 6.3 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game as a true freshman last season. He also led the team with 28 blocked shots. Colt Savage also averaged 6.1 points per game. Now a junior, Savage is looking to improve on his contribution. He has 51 career made 3-pointers and is a 43.9 percent (51-for-116) career shooter from behind the arc. Carson Calavan (4.9 ppg) and Jayln Turner (3.6 ppg) both look to improve their contribution as well.

Isaiah Wade and Shemar Smith are both expected to play a big role. Both are returners but sat out last season as redshirts. Wade could be the best big in the conference and is capable of putting up a double-double every night. Smith is a raw athlete with a high upside. Callen Haydon could see a lot of time. He led the country in assists last season in junior college.

Davon Richardson, Jaden Wells, Conner Calavan, and Austin Fenton are all true freshman. Richardson and Wells have seen extended time in the preseason. All four are all-state selections ready to find their roles with the Bronchos.

Missouri Southern finished third in the league last season, going 23-8, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament before the health crisis shut it all down. Cam Martin, an All-American, returns to lead the Lions. He averaged 24.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season. The Lions return four other players that saw action last season and also two more that sat out a redshirt season a year ago.

Central Oklahoma welcomes Pittsburg State to Hamilton Field House Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for another MIAA contest. The Bronchos are off next week for Thanksgiving before taking on Washburn (11/30) and Emporia State (12/5) the following week on the road.

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Players Mentioned

#12 D.J. Basey: F; 6' 10"; Sophomore

#13 Carson Calavan: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#33 Camryn Givens: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#5 Seth Hurd: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#0 Justin Nimmer: G; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#23 Shemar Smith: G; 6' 7"; Redshirt Freshman

#2 Isaiah Wade: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#32 Austin Fenton: F; 6' 8"; Freshman

#1 Davon Richardson: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#24 Jaden Wells: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 D.J. Basey
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#13 Carson Calavan
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#33 Camryn Givens
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#5 Seth Hurd
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#0 Justin Nimmer
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Shemar Smith
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#2 Isaiah Wade
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#32 Austin Fenton
: 6' 8"; Freshman
: F

#1 Davon Richardson
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#24 Jaden Wells
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G