The Dixie State Trailblazers are the newest members of the Western Athletic Conference. Head coach Jon Judkins joined the podcast to talk about his 2020-21 squad.
The Trailblazers have seven new players highlighted by big man Mikey Frazier and true freshman Andre Mulibea. Frazier is 6’11, 250 pounds who averaged 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds at Garden City Community College in 2019-20. Mulibea was a Utah class 5-A first team selection and region MVP at East High School in Salt Lake City. Mulibea averaged 24.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Leopards and Judkins is really high on him.
Facilities, preparation, fan excitement and more are reasons why Dixie State is ready to compete at the highest level. The Burns Arena might be one of the best in the WAC. And, with the excitement surrounding the jump to Division I, Judkins expects it to be filled on a nightly basis.
This is especially true when the renewal of the I-15 rivalry with Utah Valley tips off in conference play. Both schools competed in the same conference at the JUCO level and have played a few exhibition games over the years. Judkins is also excited that the other Division I schools in the state of Utah want to play the Trailblazers. Dixie State has Weber State, Utah State and Southern Utah all on the schedule for 2020-21.
Dason Youngblood is the floor leader by example, according to Judkins. Youngblood averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2019-20. But, according to an article on the Dixie State Athletics website, Youngblood is a team leader in an untraditional way. And along with teammate Hunter Schofield, will bring some great experience and leadership to the Trailblazers as they open up the Division I era.
Last but not least, Jon Judkins does not have an ongoing battle with older brother Jeff as to who wins more games in their coaching careers. Jeff Judkins is the women’s basketball coach at BYU. Both brothers support each other and try to keep the basketball conversations away from family gatherings.
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