GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Mavericks (18-9, 13-8) will host Western State this Friday at 7:30 pm in Brownson Arena. Prior to tip-off the Mavericks will honor this year's six seniors.
Head Coach Mike DeGeorge and seniors Brandon Hoffer and Connor Nichols sat down with media this Tuesday to discuss senior night's opponent. The interview can be viewed by clicking the link in this preview's main image.
This Year's Senior Class
This team's roster includes six seniors who are Trent Clay, Brandon Hoffer, Connor Nichols, Damon Dubots, Sam Walters, and Filip Nowicki.
Trent Clay recorded a career-high 19 points during his red shirt sophomore season and has appeared in 65 career game as a Maverick.
Brandon Hoffer has recorded 100 career starts in 113 games over the course of his career and is second in all-time assists with 484 total assists. He recorded a season high nine assists during his senior year and has averaged 4.3 assists over his four year Maverick career.
Connor Nichols sits fourth on the Maverick's all-time scoring list with 1,638 career points. He has totaled seven double-doubles in his career and reached a career high 37 points during his senior year in a win over Black Hills State.
Damon Dubots has started and appeared in all but one game for the Mavericks since transferring from Prima CC recording 54 career starts. He recorded a career high 28 points this season and has recorded one double-double.
Graduate transfer Sam Walters has started every game this season and recorded a season high 19 points against Dallas Baptist.
Filip Nowicki the Poland native has appeared in 30 game over the course of his two year Maverick career. During his senior season he has recorded a field goal percentage of 45.2 percent.
These Mavericks will be honored in the intermission after the women's basketball game and before their game which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm.
A Glimpse of the Mavericks
Going into this weekend Colorado Mesa sits sixth in the RMAC standings. Senior Connor Nichols leads the team with 21.0 points per game which leads the RMAC and he is averaging 7.0 rebounds which is fifth best amongst RMAC players. He is also the team's best free throw shooter connecting at 84.2 percent.
Sam Walter's has made a team high 44 three-pointers this season and is making 44.2 percent of his three-point shots which is third behind Jess Spivey (46.4 percent) and Kolton Peterson (46.7 percent).
Brandon Hoffer ranks second in the RMAC with 118 assists and is second in assists-to-turnover ratio at 2.1 assists for every one turnover. Tommy Nuno ranks second on the Mavericks team with 106 assists.
Michael Skinner leads the Mavericks in steals (39) and field goal percentage shooting at a 65.8 percent rate.
Regional Rankings
The Colorado Mesa Mavericks stayed at the No. 9 spot within the South Central Regional rankings just behind RMAC foe Dixie State at No. 8
The top eight teams in the final South Central regional rankings will be released on March 10 and move on to the NCAA Tournament which opens the following weekend at the site of the No. 1 seed.
For a look at who else fills in the South Central Regional ranking click the link provided above.
Next Up
The Mavericks game against Western State this Friday is very important as it will play a part in determining their seeding in the RMAC Tournament which is scheduled to take place next week March 5 and 8-9. With a playoff spot clinched the Mavs could finish anywhere from the fourth to the seventh seed. They cannot be eighth or in the top three.
The Mavs are currently tied for sixth place with Highlands and are just a game behind UCCS and Black Hills State whom both the Mavericks have a potential tie breaker over because of their previous wins. Depending on RMAC game after Friday night the Mavs could fall into the four seed and host a first round game against the number five seed on March 5.
Senior Banquet
The Colorado Mesa men's basketball team will host their first-ever Senior Banquet on March 30 at 6pm in the University Center. The banquet is open to the public with tickets available for $25 at the link above. The agenda includes the seniors being able to reflect on their basketball careers at Colorado Mesa and an inside look at the culture being created within the men's program.
