SANTA CLARA, Calif.- Santa Clara men’s basketball (10-6, 2-1) starts a two-game homestand on Thursday, hosting the Oregon State Beavers at 7:00 p.m. PT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Anthony Passarelli and Henry Caruso on the call. The link can be found above.
The Broncos bounced back in their last contest with a closely contested 81-80 road win against San Diego for their sixth-straight road victory in the series against the Toreros. Carlos Stewart Jr. led the way with 20 points (his third 20-point outing of the year) while Cam Tongue, making his first career start, tallied 11 points. SCU extended their streak of consecutive games with 10 or more treys to nine straight.
The Broncos have five players ranked inside the top-31 in the WCC in scoring as Bal leads the way with 13.6 ppg (14th in WCC). Christoph Tilly is second on the team with 12.6 ppg (20th in WCC), and junior guard Elijah Mahi is second on the team with 12.4 ppg (22nd in WCC), . Carlos Stewart Jr. is fourth with 12.0 ppg (24th in WCC), and Tyeree Bryan rounds out the pack with 10.9 ppg (31st in WCC). The Broncos rank second in the WCC (59th nationally) with 28.07 bench points per game, and fourth in the league (101st nationally) in free throw shooting percentage (74.3). The Broncos also rank first in the league and 34th nationally with 10.1 three pointers per game.
Santa Clara has also proven to be among the top rebounding teams in the league, ranking second in the WCC with 12.50 offensive rebounds per game (72nd nationally), and third in the league with 38.94 total rebounds per outing (59th nationally). Sophomore forward Jake Ensminger leads the way averaging 6.1 rpg (15th in WCC), and Johnny O’Neil is not far behind with 5.6 rpg (18th in WCC). The Broncos rank first in the league with 10.2 three-pointers per game (29th nationally).
Tilly ranks 18th in the league in free throw percentage shooting 75.4 percent. Bal ranks sixth in the WCC in three pointers per game (2.25) and total three pointers made (36).
Oregon State is 2-1 in league play and 12-4 overall on the season in their 10th year under the
direction of Wayne Tinkle. The Beavers, in their first season as members of the WCC, are averaging 76.1 points and lead the league in 3-point shooting at 38.8 percent. They also feature at top-20 scoring defense allowing just 62.6 points per outing. Junior forward Michael Rataj leads the team in both scoring (16.7) and rebounding (8.4), the latter of which ranks third-best in the WCC. He also ranks second in the league and 11th nationally in double-doubles with seven.
Santa Clara and Oregon State have only faced off 10 times previously throughout the years with the most recent coming on Dec. 6, 1997 - a 68-55 victory inside Toso Pavilion (now the Leavey Center). The Broncos trail the all time series 6-4, but have won the last two matchups.
For more information, click on the game notes link above.
STREAMING INFO
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, and can be accessed here.
Broncos At A Glance…
In the Net:
The Broncos rank 71st in the latest NET Rankings - one of six WCC programs currently ranked inside the top-75 of the rankings: Gonzaga (5), Saint Mary’s (49), USF (63), Washington State (66), Oregon State (67) and Santa Clara (71).
Scoring Success:
Santa Clara ranks third in the WCC with 81.1 points per game behind Gonzaga (87.4) and Washington State (81.6). That mark ranks 64th nationally in NCAA D1.
Bal-Balling Out:
Adama-Alpha Bal has been red hot over the last four games, averaging 17.6 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting, including a 43.6 percent clip from 3-point range. He is also averaging 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds during the stretch.
Free Throw Frenzy:
Santa Clara ranks fourth in the league (99th nationally) in free throw shooting percentage (74.3). The Broncos made a season high 27 free throws against Kennesaw State, and have twice shot above 90 percent, including most recently against McNeese State where they shot a season-best 94.7 percent (18-of-19). They also shot 93.3 percent against UC Riverside (14-of-15).
Three-Point Shooting:
The Broncos rank first in the league and 29th nationally with an average of 10.2 three pointers per game. They have hit 10 or more treys in 12 games this year (9-3), have done so in eight-straight outings and are coming off 13 against Fresno State, 12 against Bradley, 11 against Kennesaw State, 13 against South Dakota, a season high 15 against Pepperdine, 11 against USF, and 12 at San Diego.
Balanced Scoring:
Five Broncos are currently averaging 10.0 ppg or better led by Adama-Alpha Bal’s 13.6 (14th in
WCC). Christoph Tilly (12.6), Elijah Mahi (12.4), Carlos Stewart (12.0) and Tyeree Bryan (10.9) are also averaging double figures.
On the Boards:
The Broncos rank second in the WCC with 12.60 offensive rebounds per game (76th nationally), and third in the league with 38.80 total rebounds per outing (71st nationally). Sophomore forward Jake Ensminger leads the way averaging 6.1 rpg (15th in WCC), and Johnny O’Neil is not far behind with 5.3 rpg (20th in WCC).
Stewart Put On a Show:
Carlos Stewart Jr. had an MVP-type performance at the Acrisure Invitational. The Baton Rouge native started the tournament with a then-season high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting against TCU. He then turned in a new season high with 20 points to go with five rebounds and three steals against Washington. Stewart averaged 19.0 ppg on 63.6 percent shooting with 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game over the two-game tournament. He most recently added 13 points at McNeese State, 18 points vs. Fresno State, and tied a season high 20 points vs. Bradley. At USF on Monday, he tallied 13 pts, and pulled down a career high 8 rebounds, adding a career best six assists. Most recently at San Diego, Stewart tied his season high 20 points, and is now just 69 points shy of joining the 1,000 point club.
Tilly Time:
Junior center Christoph Tilly leads the team with 12 double figure scoring games on the season. He has scored 15 or more on five occasions with a season high 21 against Bradley (12/14). He had 20 pts last outing at USF, his second 20 point game of the season, and seventh straight game in double figures. He is tied for the team lead with 14 blocks, averaging just under a block per game and leads the team, shooting 75.4% (18th in the WCC) from the charity stripe.
Ensminger Efficiency:
Despite a rough shooting start to the year, Jake Ensminger leads the team in rebounding at 6.1 per game (15th in WCC), and has tied his career high 11 rebounds twice this season: vs. TCU (11/28) and in his first start of the season vs. Fresno State (12/7). He most recently recorded nine rebounds vs. Bradley, 10 vs. Kennesaw State, and 10 vs. South Dakota.
O’Neil Stepping Up:
After a sluggish start to his senior campaign, Johnny O’Neil has found his stroke yet again in the last four games. The Miami Shores product is shooting 65.5 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from 3-point range (14-of-21) for an average of 13.8 points per game.
O’Neil has knocked down at least three treys in each game and had a season-high 20 points with 10 rebounds against USF for his second double-double of the year. He is coming off a nine point, 10-re-bound outing vs. San Diego.
Big Time Ty:
Tyeree Bryan has upped his level of play in his last eight outings. The Orlando native has scored 10 or more in each outing and is averaging 14.4 ppg. He is shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 47.7 from three in that stretch. He had one of his best nights as a Bronco with a season-best 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting with five rebounds in the win over Pepperdine.
Triple Threat:
In Santa Clara’s win over Bradley, Elijah Mahi (23), Christoph Tilly (21) and Carlos Stewart Jr. (20) all topped at least 20 points. It is the first game that SCU has had three players score 20 or more since Dec. 18, 2018 in a double overtime win over USC.
No Off Days:
Santa Clara’s non-conference strength of schedule is currently ranked 44th nationally out of 364 teams. They have the third-toughest non-conference schedule among WCC teams behind Gonzaga (8th) and San Francisco (38th).
150 For the Head Man:
Santa Clara’s road win over San Diego was the 150th for Herb Sendek’s tenure with the Broncos. Heranks fourth in program history in career victories.
A Helping Hand:
Santa Clara’s 31 assists against South Dakota were the third-most in program history, and the most since Feb. 16, 2017 when the Broncos dished out 32 against Pepperdine.
Mahi Making Moves:
Junior forward Elijah Mahi has started his SCU career with a bang, scoring in double figures in six of the first eight games to open the season. The Toronto product tallied 22 points at Nevada and had 13 points vs. TCU, 19 points against Washington, a career high 23 points in vs. Bradley, and 14 points in his last outing vs. Kennesaw State. Mahi is second on the team in ppg (12.7) which ranks 18th in the WCC.
Sustained success:
The Broncos have won 20 or more games in three consecutive seasons and four if you exclude the 2020-21 covid season.
Bal Back:
After flirting with the NBA Draft, Adama-Alpha Bal is back for one more season and looking to build off the success he built as a first team All-WCC performer in year one. Bal has been as advertised, leading the team and ranking 14th in the WCC in scoring (13.6) and is tied for the team lead with three 20-point outings. Bal opened the season 24 points vs. Saint Louis turned in a season-best 27 points against Bradley and most recently had 20 points in the win over South Dakota.
Familiar Faces:
In addition to Bal, who was a First Team All-WCC selection last year, the Broncos brought back six other key rotation pieces. Among them, All-WCC Honorable Mention last season Christoph Tilly, and All-WCC Freshman Team selection sophomore forward Jake Ensminger. In addition, the Broncos return senior forward Johnny O’Neil, senior guard Tyeree Bryan, junior guard Brenton Knapper, and senior forward Camaron Tongue, all key rotation pieces for the Broncos last season. The Broncos returned four of their five starters and 72.8 percent of their scoring from 2023-24.
Added Experience:
The Broncos also bring back senior guard and former Bronco standout Carlos Stewart Jr. As a sophomore at Santa Clara, Stewart Jr. was a First Team All-WCC selection, avg.15.2 ppg. The Broncos also added West Valley College transfer Elijah Mahi, who joins the Broncos after leading West Valley College to an undefeated 33-0 season in 2023-24, capturing the state championship title, and being named California Player of the Year and winning MVP in the state tournament.
Bayou Boys:
Santa Clara has not one, but two Gatorade Louisiana Basketball Player of Year winners on the roster - Stewart (2020-21) and freshman Allen Graves (2023-24).
Preseason Poll:
The Broncos were picked to finish third in the WCC preseason poll, while Bal and Stewart Jr. were named to the Preseason First Team All-WCC.
Career Marks:
Carlos Stewart Jr. tied a career high 5 assists in the season opener against Saint Louis, while Camaron Tongue scored a career high 18 pts. Christoph Tilly made a career high two three pointers in the victory, and Elijah Mahi scored a career high 23 points vs. Bradley. Johnny O’Neil posted a career high 14 rebounds against North Dakota State. Elijah Mahi had a career high 10 rebounds against McNeese State, and Jake Ensiminger tied a career high 11 rebounds twice vs. TCU, and most recently vs. Fresno State. Tyeree Bryan added a career high five steals against the Bulldogs. Most recently, Adama-Alpha Bal tied a career high six three pointers vs. Kennesaw State, and Johnny O’Neil had a career high six assists vs. South Dakota. Carlos Stewart Jr. pulled down a career high 8 rebounds at USF and had a career best six assists.
Pipeline to the Pros:
There are just five NCAA D1 men’s basketball programs that produced top-20 picks in the 2022 and 2023 NBA Drafts: Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Baylor.....and Santa Clara.
The Broncos have produced back-to-back first round selections in the form of Jalen Williams (12th overall to Oklahoma City in 2022) and Brandin Podziemski (19th overall to Golden State in 2023). Additionally, former Bronco forward Keshawn Justice was signed by the Utah Jazz in October 2023 and is currently a member of the Salt Lake Jazz.
After becoming the first Bronco to hear his name called in the NBA Draft since Steve Nash in 1996, Williams more than lived up to his lottery pick hype, finishing runner-up in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors and was named to the 2023 Rising Stars Challenge. He was even better in year two, averaging 19.1 ppg while starting 71 games and was once again voted to the Rising Stars Challenge.
Podziemski was the first WCC player taken off the board in 2023 and also turned in a fantastic rookie season, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors and being named to the Rising Stars Challenge. Podz became the first Golden State rookie since Stephen Curry (2009-10) to tally 20-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five or more in a single game, doing so on Dec. 12 against the Phoenix Suns.
Both Williams and Podziemski were also named to the USA Select Team in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
