SPOKANE, Wash. | For the second consecutive season, Alabama State goes on the road for the season opener to face a ranked team; this time facing No. 7/8 Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center Tuesday night.
The game tips at 7 pm (cst) / 5 pm (pst) and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.
Alabama State returns several players from last season including the team's second-leading scorer in
Jacoby Ross, who was named a Second Team Preseason All-SWAC selection at guard. The junior averaged 12.6 points per game last season while playing both guard positions and was second on the team in assists. He is joined by
Leon Daniels on the perimeter who returns after averaging 9.5 points per game, including 24 against Texas Southern in the SWAC semifinals on his way to his first double-double.
The Hornets, who finished 12-19 last season, also return
AJ Farrar (8.6 ppg / 5.0 rpg) and
Tobi Ewuosho (7.7 ppg / 4.6 rpg) who can play on the perimeter or in the post.
Kevin Holston also returns after being thrust into the starting role at point guard after an injury last season and led the team in assists.
Alabama State added 11 newcomers to the squad this year that was picked to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) for head coach
Lewis Jackson, who is just one win away from career win 200.
Scouting Gonzaga
Gonzaga has won 15 straight regular season-openers dating back to a 73-66 loss to Saint Joseph's in the 2003 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. They have also won 30 consecutive regular season home-openers since a 73-65 loss to Boise State on Dec. 7, 1988.
The Zags have won all 15 regular season home-openers in the McCarthey Athletic Center and all 20 regular season home-openers under Mark Few.
In 2018-19, the Bulldogs advanced to their 21st straight NCAA Tournament, and fifth consecutive Sweet 16.
This season, GU welcomes eight new student-athletes, including six freshmen. The Zags' roster features eight underclassmen and three seniors. - Gonzaga won 33 games last season, including 16-0 in West Coast Conference play.Â
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