Live Video/Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Digital Program  |  Game Notes

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Being fully eligible for NCAA postseason play for the first time since The University of the Incarnate Word's four-year transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, the men's basketball team opens their 2017-18 slate with two home games in a span of four days. The Cardinals host Southwestern Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. and Trinity on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. from the McDermott Center.
 
FIRST TIP
 
University President, Dr. Thomas Evans, will serve the ceremonial first tip prior to Friday's opener with the Pirates.
 
Southwestern leads the all-time series with UIW, 5-3, with the last meeting coming on Nov. 22, 2013, in an 80-61 Cardinal victory.
 
UIW has won all five meetings against Trinity. The Cardinals and Tigers last met on Nov. 11, 2013, with UIW victorious, 74-62.
 
Both games will count for UIW, but will be exhibitions for Division III's Southwestern and Trinity.
 
SCOUTING THE SOUTHWESTERN PIRATES
 
2016-17: 14-13, 8-6 SCAC
Last Game: L 82-76 at Schreiner (SCAC Semifinal; Feb. 25, 2017)
Head Coach: Janson Hightower
Key Returning Players:
#4 Ryan Ogden – 26 GP, 16.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 58 ASTS, 17 BLKS, 25 STLS
#3 Luke Hicks – 27 GP, 5.6 PPG, 28 ASTS
#10 Joel Martinez – 27 GP, 4.5 PPG, 23 ASTS
Summary: Southwestern returns last season's leading scorer, senior forward Ryan Ogden, but lost its next four scorers to graduation. Ogden earned Second Team All-Conference honors after averaging 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He registered four double-doubles last season and scored a season-best 28 points against Texas Lutheran in January.
 
SCOUTING THE TRINITY TIGERS
 
2016-17: 12-14, 7-7 SCAC
Last Game: L 71-65 at Southwestern (SCAC Quarterfinal; Feb. 24, 2017)
Head Coach: Pat Cunningham
Key Returning Players:
#32 Danny Rivara – 25 GP, 13.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 32 BLKS, 23 STLS, 19 ASTS
#24 Matt Jones – 26 GP, 11.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 138 ASTS, 48 STLS
#43 Jayden Holden – 25 GP, 10.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 26 ASTS, 24 STLS
Summary: Unlike Southwestern, Trinity returns all three top returning scorers from a season ago, led by sophomore forward Danny Rivara. Rivara joined Jones and Holden as All-SCAC recipients, and was named Newcomer of the Year in the conference. Jones was named to the NABC Honors Court for his work in the classroom. Trinity plays at St. Thomas in an exhibition on Sunday prior to facing the Cardinals.
 
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2016-17: 12-17, 7-11 SLC
Last Game: L 81-64 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Mar. 4, 2017)
Head Coach: Ken Burmeister
Key Returning Players:
#1 Jalin Hart – 29 GP, 15.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 135 ASTS, 40 STLS, 51.7 FG%
#3 Simi Socks – 28 GP, 15.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 26 STLS, 14 BLKS
#41 Shawn Johnson – 29 GP, 14.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 47 ASTS, 36 STLS, 46 BLKS
Summary: On paper, the 2017-18 edition of UIW men's basketball should be vastly improved from a season ago which still saw the Cardinals share the eighth spot in the Southland Conference standings. UIW lost two players to graduation and return all three leading scorers from last season, including Second Team All-SLC, Newcomer of the Year, and the 2017-18 Preseason First Team All-SLC in senior point guard Jalin Hart. Also returning is last season's Honorable Mention All-SLC selection, Simi Socks.
 
The Cardinals lost their fourth leading scorer, Tyler Singleton, but three-star recruit Keaton Hervey should handle some ball duties. The freshman guard from Cedar Park High School averaged 23.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game en route to being named Austin American-Statesman Boys Player of the Year. Also looking to be the playmaker will be freshman point guard Cody Graham, who averaged 15.0 points per game as a senior at St. Pius X in Fresno, Texas. Wingers will be graduate student, Sam Burmeister, redshirt sophomore, Jorden Kite, and freshman Augustine Ene.
 
In the paint, the Cardinals bring in much needed size to help Socks and Johnson. Looking to lead the charge is 7'0" junior transfer Konstantin Kulikov, who came to San Antonio from San Jacinto College. Kulikov's 50 blocked shots last season ranked him fourth in the region. Also looking to make an impact is junior transfer from Murray State and Itawamba CC, Charles Brown III. The Cardinals also get the services of touted forward, Christian Peevy, who was injured the first game of the season and earned a medical redshirt. In that game at Texas, Peevy grabbed four rebounds.
 
 
UP NEXT

Following Monday's game with Trinity, the Cardinals host McMurry on Friday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

STAY TUNED

UIW concludes the season-opening four-game home stand against Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.