DENVER-Thursday, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference released its coaches poll for men’s basketball programs in the conference. The Trailblazers, who finished 16-6 in RMAC play last season, tied for second place, were slated to finish second overall.
The Westminster Griffins, who feature former Richfield High School boys basketball star, redshirt sophomore Brandon Willardson, were picked 11th.
The Colorado School of Mines Orediggers, last season’s RMAC regular season champions, received 14 of 16 possible first-place votes to be named the favorite in the conference.
Regis was slated to finish third, New Mexico Highlands fourth, Metro State Denver fifth, Colorado-Colorado Springs sixth, Fort Lewis seventh, Colorado Mesa eighth, Black Hills State ninth, South Dakota Mines tenth, Colorado State-Pueblo 12th, Chadron State 13th, Adams State 14th, Western Colorado 15th and Colorado Christian 16th.
The Trailblazers opened their fall training camp Monday and will host a Red and White scrimmage at Burns Arena October 28.
Dixie State commences the regular season November 8 against Texas A&M-Commerce at the D2 Conference Challenge, hosted by Westminster.
The Trailblazers’ first home game is an exhibition game against the NAIA Providence College (Mont.) Argonauts.
Six-time Pac-West Coach of the Year Jon Judkins (528-245 all-time) commences his 15th season at the helm of the Trailblazers’ program. While at St. George, Judkins has gone 262-126 (.675) and 242-114 (.6798) at the NCAA Division II level in this last season where the Trailblazers will compete in Division II ahead of their move to Division I.
The one-time Snow College head coach has led Dixie State to 11 consecutive winning seasons, including seven 20-win campaigns.
This includes eight trips to the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament in the past 10 seasons and a Sweet 16 berth in the 2011 West Regional final.
Judkins’ assistants include Jake Schroeder and Andrew May as well as third-year volunteer assistant David Foster.
The Trailblazers return six from last season’s squad, including three seniors, starting guards Jack Pagenkopf and Andre Wilson as well as reserve forward Cameron Chatwin.
Other returnees for Dixie State include junior point guard Dason Youngblood and sophomore forwards Josh Newbold and Jacob Nicolds.
Among the six transfers to join the Trailblazers’ program this season are sophomore guard/forward James Nelson, juco transfers guard Jamar Ergas, forward/center Jarrod Greene, guard Mark Hatch, guard Zubair Sayed and forward/center Hunter Schofield.
Three freshmen will also be in the mix for playing time, including Snow Canyon High School product, guard Brock Staheli, forward Frank Staine and guard Lleyton Parker.
