Utah has a new all-time, winningest college basketball coach. On Wednesday night in St George, the Trailblazers beat SAGU American Indian College 114-49. A monster performance behind the arc led by Frank Staine’s perfect night gave head coach Jon Judkins his 583rd career win. With it, Judkins passes former Utah Ute women’s basketball coach Elaine Elliott. The celebratory ice bath in the locker room by his players echoed the support and exhilaration of everyone who has been able to witness Judkins in action.
Let the celebration begin!! Congrats Juddy!!#DixieBlazers #WeAreONE #WAChoops #WACmbb #583 pic.twitter.com/iEptlGuumn
— Dixie State Men's Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) December 16, 2021
Judkins Legacy
Judkins has had Dixie State ties since his collegiate playing days. Spending the 1983-1984 season with the, then JUCO program, Dixie College. Following his short stint in St. George, he transferred to Utah State and became the first player to log a triple-double for their program. In 1992, Juddy took over as the head coach for the Snow College Badgers. Judkins led the program to a 284-128 overall record. During that time, Judkins won the SWAC Coach of the Year award and two conference titles. The move to St George in 2005 proved to be no less successful for Judkins.
In his 17 seasons at Dixie State, his Trailblazers have an overall record of 299-151. The Trailblazers have been awfully good at Burns Arena under Judkins, too. Dixie State is 145-37 at home since Judkins became the head coach.
As a member of Division II, Pac West Conference, Judkins was Coach of the Year six times. Dixie State also won six conference titles and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. In the 2017 season, Judkins picked up his 500th win. Judkins is the only men’s basketball coach in Utah history to reach that mark.
A two-season stint in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference was no test for the Judkins-led Trailblazers. Dixie State was a combined 41-16, won a regular-season conference title, and the 3rd seed in the 2020 NCAA Division II Tournament. No tournament games were played due to COVID-19 outbreak. in the transition to Division I, Judkins and his staff have shown the ability to adapt and win. With Judkins at the helm, fans can only expect success from an already incredibly successful coach. Big things are coming out of St. George very soon.
Congratulations Coach Judkins!
Game Recap
For the second game in a row, the Trailblazers set a school, single-game record for made threes (21), breaking the record set on Saturday against Denver. Leading all scorers once again was junior guard Cam Gooden.
But the Man of the Night was sophomore Frank Staine. In 19 minutes, Staine had 15 points on 5-7 shooting. All five made shots were from 3-point land as he went 5-5 from deep.
Hunter Schofield also had a solid night, going 5-11 from the floor with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Jamal Barnes put up a quick 11 points in just 9 minutes of play. Dixie State saw 12 of its 13 players score Wednesday night.
FRANK STAINE HITS 5-5 FOR THE #MACU3!!#DixieBlazers #WeAreONE #WAChoops #WACmbb pic.twitter.com/5ZqtqVXS43
— Dixie State Men's Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) December 16, 2021
Takeaways
- Dixie State can shoot, and shoot, and shoot. Judkins’ drive and kick offense really opens the wings and corners and allows the Trailblazers to take and make a lot of open 3-pointers.
- Last week, the talk was about Gooden and Schofield as the offensive leaders. It’s time to add a third to that list in Frank Staine Jr.. With five straight games in double digits, the big shots continue to come from his hands.
- The turnover bug may have found its way out. With only 9 total Wednesday, it marks only the second game all season under 10. With WAC play closing in, ball security is going to be crucial.
Looking Forward
Dixie State heads to Grand Forks on Saturday to close out a home-and-away series with North Dakota. A win earns Judkins his 300th win as the program’s head coach. In 2020, the Trailblazers downed the Fighting Hawks 74-73 in St. George. A win at North Dakota would be the first road win this season for the Trailblazers. It would also provide some much-needed momentum heading into the second leg of the rivalry series against Southern Utah.
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