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Southern Utah Basketball: Are the Thunderbirds a real threat in the Big Sky?

By Doug Winkey

Mar 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Randy Onwuasor (3) goes to the basket as Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) defends during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Randy Onwuasor (3) goes to the basket as Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) defends during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nobody is calling Southern Utah basketball the next great mid-major power, but the Thunderbirds are off to a strong start in Big Sky play.

Southern Utah is so overlooked, hardly any photos exist of the current basketball team. That is mostly justified; the team is just 4-12 and boasts one of the worst defenses in the country. However, that is major disrespect to the Thunderbirds of Cedar City, UT.

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Despite their poor overall record, Southern Utah boasts a 2-0 record in Big Sky play. The Thunderbirds have downed Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado, both on the road. Getting almost 50 percent of your wins in conference play in hostile environments is a fun wrinkle to what has otherwise been a forgettable campaign thus far.

Speed has keyed the Thunderbirds’ relative success so far. Southern Utah is very close to the top 50 in adjusted tempo at nearly 73 possessions per 40 minutes. However, speed is a double-edged sword as the team is the sixth-worse in adjusted defense. That will be fine in Big Sky play, as six of the 12 Big Sky teams are in the bottom 100 in defensive efficiency.

Texas Tech transfer Randy Onwuasor has been electric in Cedar City with averages of 23.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He is horribly inefficient at 41 percent from the floor (31 percent from three), but makes up for it with volume.

Last year’s leading scorer James McGee is second on the team this season with 15.2 points per game. Both of those two will have another campaign to try and help the young squad improve.

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Southern Utah is a wildcard at this point. They don’t have many numbers in their favor, but the Big Sky is weak overall this season. The Thunderbird faithful can reasonably expect five or six more wins to potentially go 8-10 in Big Sky play. Such a finish would be a huge success after being picked last in the conference’s preseason poll. Definitely try and watch this team at least once if you can. The program can only improve under first-year coach Todd Simon.

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