Colorado Christian vs. Colorado Mesa
Friday, Dec. 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Grand Junction, Colo. (Brownson Arena)
No Fans Allowed

Follow Along:
RMAC Network
Live Stats

Colorado Christian vs. Westminster
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 5:30 p.m.
Salt Lake City, Utah (Behnken Field House)
No Fans Allowed

Follow Along:
RMAC Network
Live Stats

New Coach, New Culture

The Cougars are under the guidance of first-year head coach Liam Simmons. The Australian-born Simmons has most recently served as the head coach of the Franklin Bulls in New Zealand's National Basketball League. Simmons has NCAA coaching experience at the Division I and II levels. In 2018 Simmons enjoyed an opportunity to work at University of California Riverside under fellow Australian, and mentor, head coach David Patrick. He also gained collegiate coaching experience at Southwest Baptist (MO) under head coach Clark Sheehy. Simmons spent four seasons (2014-2018) with the NCAA Division II school, earning a promotion in the final two seasons as the program's associate head coach. Before his four seasons with the Bearcats, he was an assistant coach at Nichols State (LA) during the 2013-14 campaign under head coach J.P. Piper.

1,000 Points Within Reach

Justin Engesser, the squads only four-year member, enters the season needed 188 points to become the school's 11th person to reach 1,000 for his career. Last season he earned RMAC Honorable Mention accolades after being among the league leaders in a handful of offensive categories including scoring (11.9 ppg), three-pointers made (62) and minutes played (34.2 mpg). He has started 56 consecutive games heading into the campaign.

Transfers Times Four

The Cougars welcome four players to the squad with previous collegiate experience. Ross Williams has two years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Menlo College (CA) where he earned NAIA All-American honors.  Andy Stafford played-in 22 games at Southwest Minnesota State with five starts as a freshman last season. The Hopkins, MN resident scored in double figures in seven games while at the NCAA Division II school in 2019-20. 
Two other transfers will garner minutes as they adapt to Simmons and his system. Jaxon Hinch played one season at Miles City Community College; playing 31 games while averaging just under five points a contest. Christian St. Germain was a two-year member of the Wheaton College (IL) program before joining the Cougars. St. Germain was apart of a Thunder squad that reached the NCAA Division III Final Four.

Steady Starter

Aidan Cantwell returns for his second season with the program, and fourth college season (previously Sierra College). He started all 28 games last season and was third on the team in three-pointers made (31) and three-point shooting percentage (.392). Of his 230 total points scored last season, just over 40 percent of those points came from shots behind the arc.

Off The Bench

Except Claude McKesey and Jadyn Michael to see increase playing time this season. Last season both players were reserves and played limited minutes. However, the duo will not only see more minutes on the court but have the potential to earn a starting role as needed. 

Coaching Pedigree 

Jaret Duft, who redshirted last season, is the son of Weber State associate head coach Eric Duft. The elder Duft has been in his role with the Wildcats since the 2005-06 season.