Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #103
Conference Rank: #1 Southland
Stephen F. Austin had another very good season in 2017-2018. The Lumberjacks finished the regular season 14-4, one game back from a Southland title. But Coach Kyle Keller’s team did win the conference tournament and went to the NCAA Tournament. Once there, the Lumberjacks fell in the first round to Texas Tech 70-60. Reaching the NCAA Tournament was a great accomplishment during Coach Keller’s second season leading the program. Year three should be just as good.
2017-18 Record: 28-7, 14-4
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Kyle Keller
Coach Record: 46-22 at Stephen F. Austin, 46-22 overall
Key Departed Players:
Ivan Canete, Guard, 9.6 ppg
Leon Gilmore III, Forward, 9.1 ppg
Ty Charles, Guard, 7.8 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Keyon Harris, Junior, Guard/Forward, 14.5 ppg
TJ Holyfield, Senior, Forward, 12.9 ppg
Aaron Augustin, Junior, Guard, 4.1 ppg
Shannon Bogues, Senior, Guard, 15.4 ppg
John Comeaux, Junior, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Samuli Nieminen, Junior, Forward, 2.7 ppg
Nathan Bain, Junior, Forward, 2.0 ppg
Jovan Grujic, Senior, Center, 1.4 ppg
Key New Players:
Jock Hughes, Freshman, Guard
Mitchell Seraille, Freshman, Forward
Davonte Fitzgerald, Senior, Forward, Grad Transfer from Minnesota
Oddyst Walker, Freshman, Guard
Rance Cole, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer
Harrison Perkins, Junior, Guard, Transfer
Karl Nicholas, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Montana, not eligible
Projection:
Six key contributors return to Coach Keller’s nine man rotation. Despite only starting a few games, Shannon Bogues led the team with 15.4 points per game. He obviously provides quite an offensive spark off the bench. The backcourt also boasts wing Keyon Harris who averaged 14.5 points per game. The 6-6 junior connected on a team high 58 three-pointers and hit 42.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Aaron Augustin will not do much scoring, but the 5-11 guard does a great job of setting up his teammates and leading the defensive effort. TJ Holyfield will again be the main force in the frontcourt after averaging 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. The 6-8 senior is a dangerous scorer in the paint, but can also step outside and knock down some three-pointers. The frontcourt does need somebody to step up to help replace Leon Gilmore III. Junior’s Samuli Nieminen and Nathan Bain have some experience and SFA also brings in former Texas A&M and Minnesota forward Davonte Fitzgerald. With more than enough depth and talent at his disposal, Coach Keller’s team will be the favorite to win the Southland and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.5 (38th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.2 (64, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.6 (23, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.8 (104, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.9 (247, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.2 (73, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.5 (216, 7)
Rebound Margin: 3.5 (63, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (126, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.5 (339, 10)
