CEDAR CITY, Utah-Tuesday, Southern Utah men’s basketball commences the 2019-20 season by hosting the Bethesda Flames at the America First Event Center.

The Anaheim, Calif.-based Flames are 0-4 on the season and represent the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Senior forward Eric LaShawn Hamilton nets 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on the season for Bethesda, while shooting 85 percent at the foul line.

Under head coach Todd Simon, who is entering his fourth season at SUU, the Thunderbirds are 36-63 (.364) but coming off a 17-17 campaign which saw them make vast improvements.

Redshirt senior guard/forward Cameron Oluyitan is the Thunderbirds’ returning statistical leader as he netted 13.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.

Sophomore guard Harrison Butler is another returning stalwart for SUU as last season, he netted 10.3 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game.

Much is also expected from senior forward Andre Adams, as after he transferred from Arizona State last season, he posted 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest and also posted 23 blocks.

Also expected to contribute for Simon’s squad this season are Iowa State transfer, redshirt junior guard Jakolby Long, who averaged 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game for the Cyclones and Illinois State transfer, redshirt senior center Daouda N’Diaye. The Senegalese national averaged 4.3 points and 4 rebounds per game for the Redbirds.

Following this game, the Thunderbirds visit Lincoln, Neb. to take on Big Ten Conference foe Nebraska Saturday for a 12:00 pm tip-off.