Sam Houston State basketball had no trouble adjusting to Conference USA in year one and with so much returning talent, the Bearkats look to be the favorite this season.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one.
Last year, Sam Houston State basketball moved conferences for the second time in three years, joining C-USA after spending two seasons in the WAC. The move wasn’t too difficult as the Bearkats rattled off 13 conference wins amid a 21-12 overall record.
Head coach Chris Mudge had to be pleased in his inaugural season with the Bearkats. After starting the year 1-3, they turned it completely around, and ended the season winning eight of their last nine games. Ultimately, the lone loss ended the season in the conference tournament to UTEP.
SHSU will try and keep the momentum going in 2024-25 as they return a good chunk of last year’s rotation. That includes leading scorer Lamar Wilkerson and a pair of big men in Cameron Huefner and Kian Scroggins. Mudge also added transfers at pivotal spots where the Bearkats lost some of last year’s talent hopes for that to work well as they eye a C-USA title in year two.
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2024-25 college basketball season.
Head coach: Chris Mudge (2nd season)
2023-24 record: 21-12 (13-3)
2024 postseason finish: No postseason
Notable departures:
- Davon Barnes (13.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 39.1 3P%)
- Jaden Ray (6.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG)
- Souleymane Doumbia (6.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 51.6 FG%)
Notable non-conference games:
- at Indiana (Dec. 3)
Projected Rotation
PG: Marcus Boykin (6-1, 190, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 7.3 PPG, 2.5 APG, 1.9 RPG, 37.8 3P%
SG: Lamar Wilkerson (6-4, 205, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 13.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 34.7 3P%
SF: Damon Nicholas Jr. (6-4, 195, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 8.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 36.8 3P%
PF: Cameron Huefner (6-8, 210, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.6 APG
C: Kian Scroggins (6-7, 235, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 6.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.5 APG
6: Josiah Hammons (6-2, Rs.-Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.2 APG, 35.5 3P% (Incarnate Word)
7: Kalifa Sakho (6-11, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 2.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.2 APG, 66.0 FG% (Utah State)
8: Dorian Finister (6-5, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 2.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 19 GP (Kansas State)
9: Brennen Burns (5-10, Rs.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 16.4 PPG, 6.9 APG (Southeastern Oklahoma State – D-II)
10: Jaxson Ford (6-7, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #278 ranked recruit
11: CJ Beaumont (6-8, 210, So.)
2023-24 stats: 1.1 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 0.1 APG, 15 GP
Sam Houston State Basketball team MVP: Lamar Wilkerson
Wilkerson led the Bearkats in scoring last season and returns as the clear go-to offensive option.
At 6-4, 205 pounds, he has the size to muscle up against bigger players and also has a sweet stroke from distance to keep defenders honest. Defensively, Wilkerson will compete on the boards and force turnovers.
He’s not an overly quick or explosive player, but Wilkerson crafted a nice mid-range jumper to be able to score from all three levels. His game and numbers have seen improvements throughout his college career, and with no Davon Barnes to share the scoring load, he could see another jump in that department.
Sam Houston State Basketball make-or-break player: Marcus Boykin
Jaden Ray moves on which means there will be a new sheriff (point guard) in town. I’m slotting in Marcus Boykin, the only point guard on this roster who played for Sam Houston State basketball last season.
Boykin started 11 games in 2023-24, so his familiarity with the offense should bode well to become the full-time starter. However, you shouldn’t overlook Brennen Burns, who put up impressive stats at D-II Southeastern Oklahoma State. Incarnate Word transfer Josiah Hammons has the scoring ability to become a starter, but with Boykin at the one, it allows Hammons to come off the bench and deliver a pop.
Still, when the keys to the offense change hands, it’s always a big deal, even with a player as experienced as Boykin.
Key analytic: BPG
Last season, Sam Houston State had a well-rounded team, but fell short in rim protection. They averaged just above two blocks per game and lose their leading shot blocker in Souleymane Doumbia.
Heading into the new season, Utah State transfer Kalifa Sakho could be called on to make up for that loss. There are also a few unranked freshmen who could be called upon deeper in the rotation.
While not every team has to be great at shot blocking to be successful, you often see great mid-major teams struggle against Power 5 schools because of a lack of size. It might be something to pay attention to as the Bearkats are once again fairly undersized down low.
Sam Houston State Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 1st in Conference USA
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Appearance