ST. GEORGE — The Dixie State College Red Storm men's basketball team will look to finish above expectations and battle for first place in its conference.

Last season the team finished with a record of 16-11, 8-4 in conference play, just missing a bid to play in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Red Storm will face a tough road, with the preseason favorite to win the national championship, BYU-Hawaii, in their conference.

The Seasiders finished the season last year with a 12-0 conference record and a 27-2 overall record, beating the Red Storm by scores of 100-79 in Hawaii Feb. 2, and 92-77 at home Feb. 20, forcing DSC to finish second.

Head coach Jon Judkins is optimistic about this year, but said it will be difficult replacing last year's seniors, guard Bowie Jeffs, guard Ben Hartman and guard Ryan Sanchez.

"We lost five players from last year who played a lot, three of them were seniors, and we lost two to LDS missions," Judkins said. "We have a lot of junior college transfers this year who have proven they can compete at the college level."

Judkins said to be successful Zach Robbins, a freshman forward/center, and Wade Bronson, a freshman forward, will have to step it up.

He also said the team is more athletic than last year's team and will be able to push the ball up the court.

Senior forward/center Nick Howard, an integrated studies major from Sandy, said the team has worked hard this offseason to be competitive.

"I think we will be pretty solid," Howard said. "We are a lot stronger and more physical this year, and we should compete for the top spot in our league."

Howard also said the young freshmen and junior college transfers would be key to winning. He said guard Jeremiah Barnes, a junior transfer from Cerritos Community College, will be a big difference maker for the team on defense.

Andy Palmer was the lone DSC representative in the PacWest Preseason All-Conference Team. Palmer, a senior forward, is the Red Storm's top returning rebounder and scorer. Palmer, Howard and guard Adam Ross are the three seniors for the Red Storm, leading a young team.

Judkins said the team is excited for this year having seen the support the student body gave the football team and the volleyball team. He said some of their recruits went to football games and could not believe the size of the crowd at DSC's athletic events.

"The students make it happen," he said. "It is their team, and I guarantee it is a good team. I hope we get the same crowd, and when they come out I believe they will like the team and what we can do."

The Red Storm men's basketball team will play three exhibition games before starting the season. The first exhibition game is Friday and Saturday in Salt Lake City against Westminster College and Rocky Mountain College. The team then returns to home Nov. 13 for its final exhibition game against Whittier College before starting the season Nov. 21.

Editor's note: The Dixie Sun is the student paper of Dixie State.