ST. GEORGE, Utah-Friday and Saturday,  No. 13 (NABC Coaches poll) Dixie State men’s basketball (10-1, 5-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play) returns to RMAC play by hosting UC Colorado Springs (7-3, 3-2 in RMAC play) and Colorado School of Mines (8-4, 4-1 in RMAC play), respectively, at Burns Arena.

The Trailblazers are coming off of a 106-54 exhibition victory over Yellowstone Christian of Billings, Mont. Monday.

In his 15th season at the helm of the Dixie State program, Jon Judkins (272-127, .681; 556-255, .686 as a collegiate head coach) is coaching his 400th game for the Trailblazers Friday against the Mountain Lions.

Judkins is only 26 wins behind legendary University of Utah women’s basketball coach Elaine Elliott (582-234 from 1983-2008 for the Utes) for the most collegiate coaching wins in Beehive State history.

The Trailblazers score 83.9 points per game, which ranks Dixie State 55th nationally in scoring offense.

Junior forward/center Hunter Schofield (18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds per game, a team-best 8 blocked shots) has emerged as the Trailblazers’ overall statistical leader.

Senior guard Jack Pagenkopf (11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds per game, team bests in assists [69] and steals [19]) is Dixie State’s other significant box score stalwart.

Also scoring in double figures on average for the Trailblazers are junior guard Dason Youngblood and rising star, freshman forward Frank Staine (10.9 points apiece).

Dixie State gives up 75.9 points per game, which ranks the Trailblazers 177th nationally in scoring defense.

UC Colorado Springs is coached by eighth-year head coach Jeff Culver who is 121-94 (.563) at the helm of the Mountain Lions’ program.

UCCS scores 74.3 points per game, ranking the Mountain Lions 198th nationally in scoring offense.

Sophomore guard DaRaun Clark (18.8 points per game) is UCCS’ leading scorer. Other Mountain Lions averaging double figures per game include senior guard Padiet Wang (16.6 points, 5.7 rebounds per game, a team-best 25 steals) and redshirt senior guard-forward Blend Avdili (11.8 points per game).

Redshirt freshman William Becker leads UCCS in rebounds (7 per game) and blocked shots (12 on the season). The Mountain Lions’ assists leader is junior guard Parker Gaddis with 41 on the season.

UCCS surrenders 66 points per game which ties them for 20th nationally in scoring defense with Mississippi College.

The Trailblazers and Mountain Lions are tied 1-1 all-time.

Colorado School of Mines is coached by 18-year head coach Pryor Orser who is 342-171 (.667) and has led the Orediggers to six consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.

Colorado School of Mines scores 76.3 points per game. This ties the Orediggers for 168th nationally in scoring offense with Purdue Northwest.

Redshirt junior guard Mason Baker leads the Orediggers in both scoring (18.7 points per game) and assists (47).

Colorado School of Mines also receives double figures on-average from sophomore guard/forward Brendan Sullivan (15.7 points per game, a team-best 18 steals) and junior forward Michael Glen (11.8 points, a team-best 7 rebounds per game).

Glen and junior forward Titus Reed have 10 blocked shots apiece to lead the Orediggers in that category.

The Orediggers surrender 68.4 points per game, ranking them 48th nationally in scoring defense.

Colorado School of Mines leads the Trailblazers 1-0 all-time, prevailing 93-75 at Golden, Colo. last January 5.