Colorado Christian vs. Yellowstone Christian
Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 20 & 21 | 3:00 p.m.
Lakewood, CO (CCU Event Center)

• These are the first games between the two schools

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Week in Review

The Cougars went through the gauntlet to start the season at the Lone Star/RMAC Conference Challenge. Colorado Christian started the season against perennial NCAA Tournament contender St. Edwards before facing DBU less than 48 hours later. The Cougars fell in their Friday contest to St. Edwards 71-47 then had their second half comeback fall short vs. the Patriots (L, 75-66).

About Yellowstone Christian

The Centurions are new to the collegiate scene. They are a member of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) and support men's basketball, men's and women's cross country as well as women's volleyball. The basketball team officially began competing in 2015 with women's volleyball following in 2016. 

The Home Opener

Over the past 10 seasons the Cougars have posted a 7-3 record in their first home game of the season. Last season they started their home slate with a five-point win against Fort Lewis (84-79) on the strength of a 15-of-25 shooting effort from behind the arc. 

From Way Down Town

Last season the Cougars were not afraid to shoot from long range. They led the RMAC in three-point percentage (0.406) and total three-pointers made (202). They were eighth in the country with 11.2 three-pointers made per game. Their 40.6 success rate from behind the arc ranked them seventh in the nation. 

Colorado Christian scored 1287 points last season with 606 of them coming from three-pointers. Fourty-seven percent of the team's points came from behind the arc.

Newcomers All Around

There are 11 new faces to squad; four of which have previous collegiate playing experiences. The trio of Jason Gallant, Isaiah Alonzo and Nic Zeil all played at the NCAA level. 

Transfers (Previous School)
Isaiah Alonzo (Waynesburg College)
Jason Gallant (University of San Diego)
Darius Henderson (Rocky Mountain College)
Nic Zeil (Creighton)

Freshman
Christian Bento
Ben Moore (was student at CCU; newcomer to team)
Shaylen Woodberry

Redshirt
Tanner Hecht
Bradley Land
Schafer Reichart
Jake Simpson

Glancing at the Top 25

The NABC preseason poll features a pair of RMAC teams as Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines ranked fourth and fifth respectively. The Mavericks earned one first-place vote. 

RMAC Preseason Poll

The Cougars were picked to finish 14th in the preseason poll with Colorado Mesa, the defending league champion, being voted as the preseason favorite with 12 of a possible 15 first-place votes.

2021 RMAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Colorado Mesa (12) - 192
2. Colorado School of Mines (1) - 183
3. Black Hills State (1) - 163
4. UCCS - 134
5. Fort Lewis (1) - 132
6. New Mexico Highlands    - 116
7. MSU Denver - 115
8. Regis - 106
9. South Dakota Mines - 88
10. Westminster    - 83
11. Adams State    - 78
12. Chadron State - 62
13. Western Colorado - 58
14. Colorado Christian - 36
15. CSU Pueblo - 29

Head Coach - Liam Simmons 

The 2021-22 campaign is Liam Simmons second at Colorado Christian.

The Australian-born Simmons has most recently served as the head coach of the Franklin Bulls in New Zealand's National Basketball League. Simmons joins the Cougars staff with a wealth of knowledge and passion for the game.

During the 2018-2019 season Simmons stepped away from college basketball to focus his effort and energy on enhancing the skills of individual players at the NBA and professional level. As a skill development coach, Simmons based himself in Philadelphia and worked with several players, but dedicated his time and focus to specifically working parallel with the Philadelphia 76ers staff, supporting their coaches in the development of All-Star Ben Simmons.

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.

In addition to his NCAA coaching experience, Simmons also made a stop for one season at NAIA San Diego Christian as an assistant coach. He also served as the head coach for the Northwest Christian High School (AZ) boys varsity team,

He earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2007 from San Diego Christian. Simmons also has a Master Degree in Education from Australian Catholic University in Melbourne (2008).