SAN MARCOS, Texas– Texas State is set to open the 2020-21 season at home against the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Strahan Arena.
 
Despite returning eight players for the second consecutive season, Texas State is picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference West Division. Junior guard Mason Harrell headlines the top returning scorers from last season after dropping 8.9 points per game. Harrell shot 49.4 percent from the floor, including a team-best .446 clip from deep. Joining him in the backcourt is graduate guard Marlin Davis who led the team last season with 3.94 assists per game. Senior forward Isiah Small returns to the team after averaging 8.0 points per game and led the team with 6.5 rebounds per game and had 27 blocks on the year. The last time small was in action, he dropped a career-high 23 points and added nine rebounds in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament win over Appalachian State.
 
Other notable contributors returning consist of senior guard Shelby Adams, senior forward Quentin Scott, junior forward Alonzo Sule, junior guard Caleb Asberry, and sophomore guard Drew Tennial.
 
The Bobcats are coming off their second consecutive 20-plus win season after concluding 2019-20 with a 21-11 record that featured a 13-7 mark in conference play. TXST finished 15-3 finish at home which matched the most wins in Strahan [Coliseum] Arena since the 1993-94 season when the team went 15-0. After defeating Appalachian State 85-68 in San Marcos as the No. 3 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, Texas State was heading to New Orleans for the remainder of the tournament before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
 
Interim Head Coach Terrence Johnson will lead the Bobcats this season. Johnson has been with the Bobcats since 2015 as an assistant coach and was recently named a top assistant in the Sun Belt Conference before being elevated.
 
SCOUTING UMHB
The Cru will trout out a new 2020-21 team, including its head coach Clif Carroll. In addition to a newer staff, UMHB adds 14 newcomers highlighted by eight transfers, while returning four players, including one starer.
 
Despite the new look, UMHB is picked to win the West Division of the American Southwest Conference. The Cru finished the 2019-20 season 15-11 and had a 7-9 conference record.
 
Texas State leads Mary Hardin-Baylor in the all-time series 3-0 and is 2-0 when playing in San Marcos. This will be the first meeting between the programs since 2002 when the Bobcats defeated the Cru, 84-63.
 
CHALK TALK
Beginning with the game against Incarnate Word on Dec. 5, the men's basketball staff will be hosting Chalk Talk 40 minutes prior to tip-off. Chalk Talk will be a presentation by one of the coaching staff members, followed by a meet and greet. Light refreshments will be provided. Chalk Talk will be before each non-conference home game, the UT Arlington game on Feb. 13, 2021, and all Friday home games. For more information about joining the tip-in club call 512-245-3832.  
 

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