St. Mary’s men’s basketball plays home opener Saturday

Caleb Jordan had a team-high 17 points for St. Mary's in Monday's road loss to UTSA. - photo by Joe Alexander
Caleb Jordan had a team-high 17 points for St. Mary’s in Monday’s road loss to UTSA. – photo by Joe Alexander
The St. Mary’s men’s basketball team plays its first home game of the season on Saturday.

The Rattlers take on Huston-Tillotson at 4 p.m. at Greehey Arena.

St. Mary’s is coming off a 75-65 road loss to UTSA on Monday. The Rattlers trailied most of the game but were within five points with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

Caleb Jordan led St. Mary’s with 17 points, Mamady Djikine had 15 points and 8 rebounds, Kobe Magee 11 points and Emmanuel Ewuzie had 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Jim Zeleznak and St. Mary’s basketball coaching history

The St. Mary's men's basketball coaching staff including head coach Jim Zeleznak. - photo by Joe Alexander
The St. Mary’s men’s basketball coaching staff including head coach Jim Zeleznak. – photo by Joe Alexander
It was 23 seasons ago that St. Mary’s won the NAIA men’s basketball national championship.

Longtime head coach Buddy Meyer was at the Rattlers’ helm and Jim Zeleznak was the top assistant coach when they claimed the 1989 championship trophy in Kansas City. Both were former St. Mary’s players. Meyer had been a member of the Rattlers’ first team to reach the national tournament.

All these years later, the St. Mary’s coaching staff has a familar look.

Zeleznak is in his 17th season as the Rattlers’ head coach, having taken over when Meyer retired after 27 years.

Meyer’s son Bubba, who played for his father at St. Mary’s, is in his 21st season as the team’s assistant coach.

And Monday, when St. Mary’s made the short road trip to the north side of San Antonio to play UTSA, Buddy Meyer was in the stands right behind the Rattlers’ bench.

Trinity men’s basketball wins opener

Tanner Brown hit this 3-pointer with 8:21 left to put Trinity in front for good. - photo by Joe Alexander
Tanner Brown hit this 3-pointer to put Trinity in front for good. – photo by Joe Alexander
Tanner Brown hit a 3-pointer with 8:21 left to put Trinity in front for good in an 89-81 men’s basketball victory over Sul Ross in the season opener on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, at Trinity.

Enzo Sechi, a junior forward from Houston, led the Tigers with 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Brown, a sophomore guard from San Antonio, finished with 14 points. Jacob Harvey, a freshman guard from Huffman, Texas, scored 14 points off the bench.