Men's Basketball | 11/12/20 | 2:41 AM

HELENA, Mont. -- Though the records will indicate that the Fighting Saints men's basketball team qualified for its fourth consecutive national tournament, the second consecutive for coach Kurt Paulson, the feeling around the program was one of incompleteness.

COVID-19 scratched the season's biggest prize. A trip to the national tournament was canceled. 

The Saints are coming off a season where they went 24-9 and placed second in the Frontier Conference. They graduated All-American Dane Warp, but return honorable mention All-American Jovan Sljivancanin, honorable mention all-conference guard Shamrock Campbell and the Frontier Conference Freshman of the year in Dennis Flowers III -- as well as 76% of their scoring from a season ago. 

While the virus still presents challenges to the competitive schedule, the Saints are moving forward and locked in to another chance at a championship in 2020-21. 

"Expectations are to get better each day," Paulson said. "We are still a young group and we need to learn each day and work. The formula for success is practice, strength and conditioning, eat healthy, sleep, study and the expectations will take care of themselves."

Here's a look at the Saints' 2020-21 roster. 


Jaedon Lieberg
RS Sophomore
6-3
Helena, Montana
Last season: 14 GP, 1.5 PPG
Coach's quote: "Jaedon is a team captain for us, he brings heart and leadership. He will be valuable to the team in a leadership role. He is from Helena and is a hometown favorite."

Luke Heaphy
Redshirt
5-11
Butte, Montana
Coach's quote: "Luke is a tough cookie from Butte Central. We love his maturity for a freshman.  He will redshirt this season and work in the weight room."

Brad King
Junior
6-9
Dromana, Australia
2018-19 season: 16 GP, 6 GS, 5.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 53% FG, 90% FT
Coach's quote: "Brad is coming off a medical redshirt year. He brings size that we have not had lately."

Gui Pedra
Freshman
6-6
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Coach's quote: "Gui is a lengthy guard from a great pedigree of basketball at Cathedral High School. Gui runs the floor and can shoot the ball. His basketball IQ is high level."

Malachi Afework
6-1
Redshirt Freshman
Federal Way, Washington
Coach's quote: "Malachi brings a quickness to our team that makes everyone better. He thrives on the defensive end creating offense from his defense."

Dennis Flowers III
Sophomore
6-2
Woodland Hills, California
Last season: GP 32, GS 28, 10.1 PPG, 39% FG, 36% 3PT, 74% FT, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG
Past accolades: 2019-20 Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year
Coach's quote:"Dennis is ready for a breakout year, he was Frontier Freshman of the Year and will build off that. He is a playmaker."

Ifeanyi Okeke
Sophomore
6-7
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Last season: 32 GP, 13 GS, 7.1 PPG, 54% FG, 35% 3PT, 61% FT, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 APG
Coach's quote: "Ifeanyi is the most athletic player in the conference and affects the game in so many ways. He runs the floor, defends, and is active on offense."

Sayer Patton
Sophomore
6-3
Choteau, Montana
Last season: 27 GP, 1.8 PPG, 41% FG, 30% 3PT
Coach's quote: "Sayer has simplified his game and it will pay dividends. We want him to catch and shoot and defend. He loves Carroll College and his teammates."

Gaven Ramirez
Sophomore
6-6
Corona, California
Last season: 28 GP, 1 GS, 3.8 PPG, 44% FG, 33%, 2 RPG
Coach's quote: "Gaven is ready to make the next step in his development. His freshman year was up and down and his consistency this fall has been a big shot in the arm for us."


Jovan Sljivancanin
Junior
6-5
Belgrade, Serbia
Last season: 33 GP, 32 GS, 17.2 PPG, 48% FG, 38% 3PT, 67% FT, 10.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 SPG 
Past accolades: 2019-20 honorable mention All-American, second team all-Frontier 2019-20
Coach's quote: "Jovan should be a top player in the league. His development will depend on his ability to mature and control his passion for the game. He competes and we are glad he is on our team."

Shamrock Campbell
Junior
6-1
Spokane, Washington
Last season: 33 GS, 10.3 PPG, 46% FG, 38% 3PT, 85% FT, 3.5 RPG, 2.9 APG
Past accolades: 2019-20 honorable mention all-conference… 2018-19 Frontier Conference Co-Freshman of the Year… 
Coach's quote: "Shamrock is the best point guard in the conference. When he is aggressive on offense we win. He will turn into a monster this season."


Jonny Hillman
Sophomore
6-2
Post Falls, Idaho
Last season: 33 GP, 1 GS, 3.9 PPG, 48% FG, 35% 3PT, 64% FT, 1 SPG
Coach's quote: "Jonny brings size and toughness to our guard group. He is healing from a knee surgery and will be back. He wins."

Brendan Temple-
Sophomore
6-7
Castle Rock, Idaho
Last season: 29 GP, 20 GS, 3.1 PPG, 44% FG, 36% 3PT, 59% FT, 2.2 RPG
Coach's quote: "Brendan is developing on offense and on defense he fights. We can count on him to bring hustle. His teammates love his effort and attitude."

Murat Guzelocak
Freshman
6-7
Istanbul, Turkey
Coach's quote: "Murat is here and ready to give us some inside presence. He is a skilled big that responds with 'yes coach'.....we like that."