San Antonio, TEXAS – The Trinity men's basketball team will open its regular season this Sunday, Nov. 9, at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
 
Last season, the Tigers finished 22-5 and fell just short of a conference title, losing 53-58 in OT of the SCAC Championship game to the University of St. Thomas. They will have a whole new look on the floor to start the season, as four starters from last year's season opener vs. Bethany Lutheran College departed in the offseason. Junior guard Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) is the lone returning starter from that game. With seven newcomers on the roster under new Head Coach Marwan Elrakabawy, preparing to compete in a new conference, this game against the Crusaders marks the start of a new era for Trinity men's basketball.
 
Preview - Season Debut
 
The opener will be the debut of a new-look team for the Tigers, although it will come against a familiar opponent in the Crusaders. The two teams have matched up almost annually since 2009, with UMHB leading the all-time series 9-3. In 2023, the Tigers came out on top 84-63 behind an 18-0 run late in the second half that broke the game open.
 
Last season, UMHB finished 15-11 and fell to Hardin-Simmons University 62-73 in the ASC Championship game. They have been projected to finish third in the ASC this year, behind Hardin-Simmons University and Howard Payne University. 
 
This season will also be one of change for the Crusaders, as the lifeblood of their offense, Eli Beard, transferred to Drexel University after averaging 22.3 points last year. In fact, the Crusaders return only three players in their top 10 for total minutes played. They will, however, be bolstered by the arrival of two transfers: senior guard Hudson Johnson, who led Howard Payne in scoring last season with 20.5 points per game, and senior guard Elijah Lawrence, who has appeared in 11 career games for DI Oral Roberts University. Both players were named to the ASC Men's Basketball Players to Watch List along with senior forward Zach Engels, who recorded 9 blocks and 20 steals in just 16 games before his season was cut short due to injury.
 
Looking Ahead
 
After the season opener, the Tigers will head to the University of Chicago for the Midway Classic on Nov. 15-16. The two-day tournament will include matchups against Emory and the University of Chicago. The trip will be a huge test for Trinity, as Emory ranks third and Chicago 11th in the D3Hoops.com preseason poll. The Tigers enter the season unranked but receiving votes.