CEDAR CITY, Utah-Wednesday, Southern Utah University men’s basketball commences its season by visiting Loyola Marymount at Los Angeles.

Saturday, the Thunderbirds will have their home opener against NAIA-affiliated St. Katherine of San Marcos, Calif. at the America First Event Center.

The Thunderbirds, who are entering their 33rd season at the NCAA Division I level, have 10 new student-athletes on their roster for the 2020-21 season.

Senior guard John Knight III is the Thunderbirds’ leading returning scorer, having averaged 12.6 points per game.

Among them are redshirt junior guard Aanen Moody (a North Dakota transfer), junior guard Tevian Jones (an Illinois transfer), junior guard Dee Barnes (a Mount St. Mary’s transfer), redshirt junior forward Courtese Cooper (an LSU transfer) and junior guard Nick Fleming (a transfer from Highland Community College of Highland, Kan.).

Loyola Marymount is led by former SUU standout Stan Johnson, a team captain for the Thunderbirds during the 2000-2001 season.

This season, the Thunderbirds made their sole appearance in the NCAA Tournament, losing to Boston College in the first round.

Johnson is a 2003 graduate of SUU.

The Lions lead the Thunderbirds 2-0 all-time, including a 61-51 win last December 1.

Saturday, as the Thunderbirds host the Firebirds, they face a squad that went 15-10 last season and 9-0 in California Pacific Conference play.