CHADRON STATE
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SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES & TECHNOLOGY
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Weekly Notes

LAREDO, TEXAS (November 9, 2017) – Texas A&M International University men's basketball opens the 2017-18 season when it hosts Chadron State and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Nov. 10 and 11. The game will broadcast on the Heartland Conference Digital Network and live stats will be available at GoDustdevils.com.
 
The Dustdevils are 1-4 in season openers under head coach Bryan Weakley including 1-0 at home. This weekend will mark the first time in four years that TAMIU has opened the season at the friendly confines of the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.
 
ABOUT TAMIU…
The Dustdevils return three letterwinners from last season's 20-10 team that won TAMIU's third Heartland Conference regular season title with a 13-5 league record. In 2016-17, the Dustdevils posted a 14-3 record at home en route to earning the second seed in the conference tournament.
 
Senior forward Dan Milota is one of the top returners in the Heartland Conference in 2017-18. The Prague, Czech Republic product averaged 6.5 points per game as a junior while shooting 48.2% from the field. He also scored in double-figures in six games including a season-high 15 against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Guard Jeremy Wright, from Gardena, California, returns for his senior season after playing in 30 games as a junior averaging 3.9 points per game off the bench. Kamari Robinson will also look for a more expanded role after playing 136 minutes last season.
 
The Dustdevils features 10 junior college transfers including guards Danny Spinuzza, Brendan Ortiz and Andre Johnson. Xabier Gomez and Chris McDonald add depth on the wings while Damon Leach, Rodrigo Puliceno, Shea Garland, Stanley Perrin and Dominic Jackson will play in the post. Marek Hajek and Ivan Chapa headline the incoming freshman class for 2017-18.
 
ABOUT CHADRON STATE…
Located in Chadron, Nebraska, with an enrollment of around 3,000 students, Chadron State is playing its first game of the 2017-18 season at TAMIU. The Eagles are coached by Houston Reed who is 3-23 enter his second season at CSC. Last year Chadron State went 3-23 and finished 15th in the RMAC with a 3-19 record.
 
The Eagles will rely heavily on returners Darius Polley (13.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Michael Johnson (8.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Look for transfers Jaisean Jackson and Jeremy Ruffin along with freshman Dru Kuxhausen to make an immediate impact for the Eagles.
 
A TAMIU WIN WOULD…
Help the Dustdevils start 1-0 on the season for the first time since 2012 when they defeated Eastern New Mexico at home… Improve Bryan Weakley's record to 2-5 in season opening games.
 
ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA MINES…
Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, with an enrollment of 2,895, South Dakota Mines is opening their 2017-18 on the road for the second consecutive season. The Hardrockers are coached by Jason Henry who is 156-188 record in his 11^th season in Rapid City. Last year South Dakota Mines went 12-16 and finished 10^th in the RMAC with a 8-14 record.
 
The Hardrockers lost six seniors from last year's team but return RMAC Freshman of the Year, Jake Heath (8.5 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.5 rpg). Joining Heath in the rotation will be true freshman Isaac Kortemeyer along with sophomores Tristan Van Nieda (1.3 ppg), Logan Elders (3.2 ppg) and Jack Fiddler (4.8 ppg).
 
A TAMIU WIN WOULD…
Improve the Dustdevils to 2-0 against the Hardrockers… Mark the second straight win over South Dakota Mines in Laredo for TAMIU.
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL…
The Dustdevils were picked to finish fifth in the Heartland Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll released on Oct. 25. Arkansas-Fort Smith picked up 12 of the possible 18 first place votes for a total of 147 points followed by Dallas Baptist (142 points). Lubbock Christian was picked third followed by Rogers State who registered a first place vote. The Dustdevils were picked to fifth followed by St. Mary's, St. Edward's, Newman and Oklahoma Christian.
 
FORMER DUSTDEVILS SIGN PRO CONTRACTS…
Three former Dustdevils signed professional over the past few months in Croatia, Mexico and Spain. Former all-conference performer Anthony Alston signed with KK Jazine Arbanasi of the Premijer Liga in Croatia. He became the first American to sign with the club in its 43-year history.
 
Kenny Hatch signed with Gijon Basket 2015 of the Liga EBA Spain in September. Gijon Basket 2015 plays in the second season in the fourth tier of Spanish basketball. Jordan Clark signed with the Black Eagles of Puerto Escondido of the Libassur Liga de Basquetbol Sur Sureste in Mexico.
 
UP NEXT…
The Dustdevils will hit the road for the first time this season next week, Nov. 17 and 18, at the St. Mary's University Classic. TAMIU will play Randall University on Friday at 5 p.m. followed by a game against Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday at 5 p.m.