CEDAR CITY, Utah — In the midst of the best start the program has experienced in its Division I history, the Southern Utah University Thunderbird men’s basketball team has been ranked No. 24 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
Following a 7-1 start, and a 2-0 mark in Big Sky play, the Thunderbirds find themselves with the best non-conference winning percentage the program has seen at the Division I level. Their two Big Sky Conference wins came against the Montana Grizzlies, who the T-Birds hadn’t defeated since the year 2000 before the start of the current calendar year.
Southern Utah has won seven-straight games since falling in their season opener, which is the longest regular season winning streak in the program’s DI history. With one more consecutive win, they will hold the longest winning streak period, including both regular season and postseason competitions.
A number of strong performances have propelled the T-Birds to this start, including the play of Illinois transfer Tevian Jones. In his first year with the program, Jones is averaging over 18 points per game.
Jones has been named Big Sky Player of the Week once this season, as has Thunderbird forward Maizen Fausett. The duo earning the nod back-to-back weeks was the first time SUU had accomplished that since joining the league.
Fausett is averaging 13.8 ppg and leading the team in rebounding with 6.8 rebounds per contest.
John Knight III is averaging 12.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg and leads the team in assists with 37 total.
The Thunderbirds are currently the lone representative of the Big Sky Conference in the rankings.
Southern Utah will be back in action on December 31 when they return to Big Sky Conference action against the Montana State Bobcats.
