San Antonio, TEXAS – The No. 25 Trinity men's basketball team (12-4, 4-1 SAA) heads home this weekend to face off against The University of the South of Sewanee (8-8, 4-1 SAA) and Centre College (8-7, 1-4 SAA). The Tigers haven''t faced off against either team since 2012, when all three schools were members of the SCAC. After losing to Trinity in the 2011-12 season, both teams left for the SAA. Whether or not that was the cause of their departure is open for speculation.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Tigers got a big win in last weekend's finale at Millsaps College, defeating the Majors 73-69. Zach Fenn was huge in the outing, recording 13 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block and a school-record setting 9 steals. Now averaging 4.25 steals per game, he is one of only two players in the NCAA, across all three divisions, averaging more than 4 steals per game. He was assisted in his efforts by Jackson Lawson who led the Tigers with 15 points on 46% (5-11) shooting. Dean Balo recorded 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on 38% (3-8) shooting. Will Bronson had 10 points and his usual night down low, with 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, on 50% (4-8) shooting.
 
Preview - Former SCAC Foes
 
On the Sewanee Tigers: The Tigers, charter members of both the SEC and the SCAC, have so far surprised preseason voters, who tabbed them to finish tied with Millsaps for sixth position in the SAA. While still early, their 4-1 conference record currently has them tied for first with Trinity and Rhodes College. They've shot the ball well thus far, making 44% of their field goal attempts, although their turnover troubles, averaging 15.6 per game compared to 11.9 for their opponents, have resulted in a significant decrease in their shots taken. Sewanee is a high volume three-point shooting team, ranking in the top 50 in the nation in three-point attempts per game and making 34% of their shots from beyond the arc. Limiting the Tiger threat from three will be a big key for the Tigers, as in all but two of their losses Sewanee has shot under 30% from deep.
 
Sewanee is led by junior forward Fletcher Bigham, one of the best scoring forwards in NCAA DIII. Averaging 21.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game on 52% shooting from the field and 39% shooting from three, Bigham's complete play has earned him SAA Athlete of the Week honors four times this season. Last week, in an 82-72 win against Berry, his 40 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks earned him USBWA National Player of the Week honors. He's helped in no small part by freshman guard Nikolas Avaliani, who currently averages 18.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 47% shooting. Reid Carrier completes Sewanee's starting backcourt, averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, although on 34% shooting. 
 
On the Centre Colonels: The Colonels have had the opposite in-conference story to Sewanee, having fell into a slump after earning the No. 1 ranking in the SAA preseason poll. Centre's disappointing season has come amidst a coaching change for the program after Greg Mason, the winningest coach in school history, stepped down after 26 seasons at the helm. Their woes have come largely from their struggle shooting the ball, as they've shot just under 40% from the field and just 31% from three, despite having one of the highest three-point shooting attempts per game in the nation. Their opponents, on the other hand, have shot 45% from the field. The Colonels are a solid rebounding team, grabbing 6.2 more boards than their opponents on average. They hold onto the ball well with just 12.1 turnovers per game, something that will be a key for them facing up against Fenn on the Tigers defense.
 
Centre is led by junior guard Kalib Thomas, who averages 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 42% shooting. Sophomore guard Drake Ingram is averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on 41% shooting. Sophomore forward Ryan Shene is averaging 11.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists, and is the Colonel's biggest threat from deep, shooting 35% from beyond the arc. 
 
Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will hit the road once again from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 to take on Sewanee and Centre once again, this time on their home courts.