Grambling State men's hoops 2020-21 season preview: What you need to know

An overlying glimpse into how “off” this athletic year has been around Grambling State, the basketball teams will be the first to play for the school.

The men’s team opens its 2020-21 campaign at Grand Canyon on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT), tipping off a limited non-conference slate of eight game prior to opening up Southwestern Athletic Conference play at Alabama State on Jan. 2 (5:30 p.m.).

Grambling, who has finished top five in the conference each of head coach Donte Jackson’s first three seasons, was picked to finished sixth in the SWAC in the preseason poll.

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve been one of the top four teams in the league,” Jackson said. “This year, we’ve got to go out and try to show we’re better than sixth.”

Here’s everything you need know on the Tigers this season:

Replacing key players

One of the reasons GSU was selected sixth in the SWAC preseason poll was the loss of point guard Ivy Smith Jr. and forward Devante Jackson, who combined for more than 35 percent of the team’s offensive scoring and its top two scorers last season.

The Tigers do return backup point Trevell Cunningham, who averaged 20 minutes and 5 points per game, and he’ll be key running the offense. Florida Gulf Coast graduate senior transfer Brian Thomas looks poised to be a main contributor on the block, especially defensively. Grambling State will need more out of senior forward Terreon Randolph on offense. The 6-8, 220-pound forward led the team in total rebounds last year.

Plenty of new faces

Just six players, Cunningham, Randolph, the high-flying Prince Moss, Cam Christon, Kelton Edwards and Zahad Munford, return for the G-Men, so that means more than half of their squad will be fresh faces. Who could emerge out of the crop of new guys?

Along with Thomas, JUCO transfer guard/forward combo player Reyhan Cobb (6-9, 185) and guard Dwayne Walker, who redshirted last season, have impressed the coaching staff during preseason practice.

“Thomas has been a really good defensive presence at 6-9, 250. He’s been a great leader, coming out every day working hard. He’s been committed and he’s going to be a great anchor on defense,” Jackson said. “Reyhan Cobb has been really good, learning and soaking it up and getting better every day. Dwayne Walker, I’m real high on him.”

Depth test

Due to COVID-19 and the potential challenges it presents, Jackson said he’ll have to play more guys than normal, especially early during non-conference. Grambling’s coach expects more combinations of starting fives and different rotations as the 2020-21 campaign progresses, testing the depth on this year’s team.

Marquee OCC games

In its second game out, Grambling will face the Arizona Wildcats Friday (4 p.m. CT, Pac-12 Networks) and nine days later, a road game at No. 13/14 Texas Tech (Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. CT) awaits. Jackson said the two monster tests against a perennial blue blood and a national ranked team will be a good measuring stick.

“We’ve got to play the best. This is a new team, new foundation, we’re going to try and grow and see who steps up and rising to the occasion on our team,” Jackson said. “We have to put guys in the fire. If everything goes well and we get some breaks, we make the NCAA Tournament, we’re going to see an Arizona or Texas Tech. To be ready for that, we have to see it.

“In those games, there’s no pressure for us.”