The Basics
Coming off their first loss of 2025 and in conference play and the end of their nine-game winning streak, the Mavericks look to get back in the win column on Saturday when they open a three-game homestand vs. Denver at 7 p.m. to begin the second half of the conference schedule.
Gary Sharp will have the call on 1180 KZOT and links to live stats, audio, and video can be found at OMavs.com.
Quick Hits
• Despite holding a double-digit lead with 12 minutes left in the game, the Mavericks could not hold on against South Dakota on Thursday as the Coyotes took the lead with five minutes remaining and just managed edge out Omaha 91-87. Omaha is still tied for first in the Summit League along with St. Thomas (17-6, 7-1), marking the first time in program history that the Mavericks are in first place at the midway point of the Summit League season.
• This loss put an end to Omaha's historic win streak at nine wins, tying the 2024-25 team with the 1981-82 and 1982-83 squads, while the only two Omaha men's basketball teams with longer win streaks are the 2004-05 (12) and 1983-84 (13) teams. This team's seven-game win streak to open conference play was also the second longest streak in program history behind the 1983-84 team which won 12 straight.
• During this streak, the Mavericks averaged 84.9 ppg while only allowed 72.4 for a +12.4 scoring margin. Omaha also outshot the opposition .489 to .434 from the field and .399 to .302 from behind the arc. The Mavericks outrebounded their opponents 36.9 rpg to 32.1 (+4.8), had more assists (120 to 103), had fewer turnovers (82 to 102), recorded more steals (60 to 39), and more blocks (25 to 14).
• The month of January was arguably the greatest single month in program history, with Omaha's 7-1 record being the best since monthly stats started being officially kept in the 2018-19 season. The team's 85.5 ppg, .504 FG%, and .433 3-PT FG% were all the highest single-month totals as well. The Mavericks' 36.0 rpg were the third most in a single month.
• For the second time this season,
Marquel Sutton made it three-straight 20-point performances after tying his career high with 29 on Thursday. He also pulled down 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and eighth in his career. Sutton ended the night 24th on the all-time scoring list with 1127 career points and 17th on the all-time rebounding list with 536 career boards.
• Sutton is also six points away from setting a new single-season high as he comes into Saturday with 401 points.
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JJ White had his first career double-double on Thursday when he scored 18 and dished out a career-high 10 assists. With two more threes in the game, White is now in first place in the Summit League in conference play in 3-PT FG% with an even 50% (21-for-42).
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Isaac Ondekane also had a career first vs. South Dakota when he recorded double-digit rebounds for the first time ever with 12.
• Sutton earned his first career Summit League Preseason honor after being named Second Team All-Preseason in October. In 2023-24, he was second on the team with 12.3 PPG (406 total) and led all Mavericks with 6.3 RPG (208 total boards).
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Lance Waddles (NDSU),
Joshua Streit (NDSU), and
Isaac Ondekane (Lindenwood) headline the Mavericks' top transfers this year with the trio coming to Omaha with a combined six seasons of Division I basketball under their belts. Also new this year are top JUCO transfers
Kamryn Thomas (2024 NJCAA Third Team All-American),
Khamani Cooper (465 points as a freshman in 2024), and
Valentino Simon (965 career points from 2022-24).
• Omaha has three captains this year:
Marquel Sutton,
Tony Osburn, and
Lance Waddles.
• Head Coach
Chris Crutchfield has a 47-60 career record. This season marks his fourth year as a head coach and third with the Mavericks.
Scouting the Denver Pioneers
After picking up their first win in conference play this year last week with a 70-68 victory over Oral Roberts, the Pioneers made it two in a row on Thursday when they narrowly beat Kansas City 69-68 on a last second free throw to move to 2-6 in league play and 8-15 overall.
Junior guard Nicholas Shogbonyo is still Denver's top all-around player as he leads the way with 313 points and 13.6 ppg, as well as 104 rebounds and 4.5 rpg. Likewise, DeAndre Craig (257 points, 12.9 ppg), and Sebastian Akins (279, 12.1) are both still in the league's top 20 in scoring with Shogbonyo, with Craig still being the team's top shooter with a .493 FG%. The duo also ranks first and second on the team and seventh and ninth in the league in assists with 62 and 61, respectively. Craig is also second on the team in three-point shooting at 40.0%, behind only Isaiah Addo-Ankrah's 42.5%, and is second in steals with 25, trailing Josh Lee with 32.
Head Coach Jeff Wulbrun is in his fourth year with the Pioneers and has led them to three straight double-digit win seasons. Prior to Denver, he worked as an assistant coach at Stanford, California, Illinois State, and UAB, helping the latter three to the NCAA Tournament.
All-Time Against Denver
Omaha pulled back ahead 14-13 in the all-time series vs. Denver after winning the first meeting this year 80-62 in Colorado. Five Mavericks scored in double figures in the game, led by White and Osburn with 15 points each. Meanwhile, Sebastian Akins and Josh Pickett led the Pioneers with 16 points apiece.
