CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Nicholls State University men's basketball program (0-0, 0-0 Southland) kicks off the 2019-20 campaign under second-year head coach Austin Claunch this week, opening with an early-season test at Big Ten contender Illinois (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) on Tuesday evening, tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. Following a competitive showing this past year, Claunch & Co. have their sights set on not only returning the program to consistent contention within the Southland Conference, but establishing a true basketball culture at Nicholls aimed at challenging major opponents down the road.

Notable returners include junior G Kevin Johnson & senior G/F Brandon Moore Jr., who combine for team-highs in all four major categories -- points, rebounds, assists & steals -- amongst currently active players. For Johnson, this season will mark the Thibodaux native's third consecutive on the hardwood for the Red & Gray after missing just four starts across his initial two years; the junior has taken advantage of his time on the court, though, returning to action boasting squad-best numbers in points per game (10.5), assists (159) & steals (64) from last season.

Meanwhile, the Colonels' frontcourt features Moore Jr. & fellow senior F Elvis Harvey Jr., a duo which accounts for a significant portion of the Red & Gray's rebounding efforts (28.4 percent) from 2018-19.

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts
 

• Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 14-17 (7-11) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts five seniors: G D'Angelo Hunter, G Tom Clement, G/F Brandon Moore Jr., G Dexter McClanahan & F Elvis Harvey Jr.
• This year's roster is highlighted by five newcomers, as redshirt senior G D'Angelo Hunter (West Virginia), redshirt junior G Andre Jones (Arkansas-Little Rock) & redshirt senior G Dexter McClanahan (Savannah State) all became eligible following transfers from fellow collegiate programs while sophomore G Lorenzo McGhee (Columbia State CC) climbed aboard via a JUCO program & freshman G Tyrease Terrell signed on directly from high school. On the bench, senior F Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington), redshirt sophomore F Najee Garvin (Charlotte), redshirt sophomore G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) & redshirt sophomore G Lafayette Dorsey (Pacific) will sit out due to NCAA Transfer Restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features four players from across the state of Louisiana, three from Georgia, a pair from Texas and one from each of the following: Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Minnesota & California.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 11th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters, including junior G Kevin Johnson & senior G/F Brandon Moore Jr.

After officially opening the 2019-20 campaign against Illinois, the Colonels must brace for another four major non-conference roadtrips -- Pittsburgh (11/9), LSU (11/16), Rhode Island (11/19) & West Virginia (12/14) -- before shifting focus to Southland Conference play on Dec. 18, squaring off against league foe Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Stopher Gym. The Colonels wrap up the regular season schedule on Mar. 4 against McNeese, hosting the Cowboys on Senior Day before potentially advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Men's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).