SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Nicholls State University men's basketball program (0-0, 0-0 Southland) opens the 2020-21 campaign under third-year head coach Austin Claunch later this week, jetting off to California for a five-game, seven-day roadtrip all set to start Wednesday evening with the Bronco Invitational, tipoff against UC Davis (0-0, 0-0 Big West) scheduled for 9 p.m. CST at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, Calif.

WHAT: The Bronco Invitational
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 25 - Saturday, Nov. 28 | Full Schedule*
WHERE: Leavey Center | Santa Clara, Calif.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Listen | 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans
*All times PST

Fresh off a four-year contract extension, Claunch enters his third season at the helm boasting a 35-27 overall record along with a 22-16 mark in Southland Conference play, guiding the Red & Gray on a second-place push last season despite an 11th-place preseason projection. Notably, the Colonels managed to secure 20-plus victories for just the fourth time in program history, including an early-season road upset of Pitt as well as seven of the team's final eight contests en route to capturing the No. 3 overall seed at the Southland Conference Tournament.

Despite significant losses in the form of leading scorer Dexter McClanahan (graduation) and top rebounder Warith Alatishe (transfer to Oregon State), Nicholls manages to return two major veterans from last season's dangerous backcourt, including a three-year starter in senior Kevin Johnson along with the high-flying redshirt senior Andre Jones. The former enters the year with an opportunity to carve his name into the record book across multiple locations, ranging from the program's all-time steals mark -- currently ranked fifth, 63 short of the 20-year-old record -- to accumulated minutes on the court -- currently stands just outside top ten, 786 short of the decade-old record. Based on projected pacing, Johnson will also have a shot at grabbing third on the all-time assists board as well as second in career starts.

As for Jones, the "human highlight reel" aims to hit the hardwood with the same brand of electric play he showcased all throughout the 2019-20 campaign, as he wrapped up the final statistical tally ranked second in both scoring (12.3 ppg) and assists (83) not to mention third in steals (43). Meanwhile, the Colonels must turn to senior Ryghe Lyons for reliable frontcourt experience -- averaged 8.6 minutes across 29 appearances -- as the 6-11 center looks to step into a more permanent role within the Nicholls system.

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts | Record Book

• Austin Claunch enters his third season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 35-27 (22-16 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts seven seniors: G Kevin Johnson, C Ryghe Lyons, G Jeremiah Buford, G Andre Jones, G Jaylen Fornes, F Damien Sears and G Shawn Williams.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 11 newcomers, including: six transfers from fellow Division I collegiate programs, two who joined the ranks via JUCO programs and another trio who signed on directly from high school. Of the six DI transfers, three -- redshirt senior G Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington) along with redshirt juniors G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) and F Najee Garvin (Charlotte) -- are of specific note, as each enter the season with one full year with the program after sitting out 2019-20 due to NCAA transfer restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features seven players from across the state of Louisiana, a pair from Little Rock, Ark., and one from each of the following: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota and Texas.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 4th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll. Notably, Nicholls had yet to notch a single-digit ranking since the 2014-15 poll, in which the Red & Gray pulled off an eighth-place finish.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters: senior G Kevin Johnson and redshirt senior G Andre Jones.

After officially opening the 2020-21 campaign with the three-game Bronco Invitational, the Colonels must brace for another trio of major non-conference stops -- California on Nov. 30, Saint Mary's on Dec. 1 and No. 2 Baylor on Dec. 8 -- before shifting focus to Southland Conference play on Jan. 2, clashing against league foe Sam Houston State at Stopher Gym. The Colonels wrap up the regular season schedule on Mar. 3 at McNeese, facing off against the Cowboys before potentially advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas.

LISTEN LIVE
Catch the Red & Gray on the airwaves as "The Voice of the Colonels," Jack Benjamin, is slated to broadcast live throughout the five-game, seven-day California roadtrip. Pregame will start 20 minutes before scheduled tipoff.
Radio: Listen | 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans
TuneIn App: Search "ESPN Radio New Orleans"

SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are now available by visiting Nicholls Ticket Central or calling the ticket office at 985-448-4790. New this season, fans have the option to purchase the Geaux BIG RED ticket package which will cover all home basketball, football and baseball games.

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