The CSI women's basketball team celebrates after defeating Salt Lake Community College to win its third straight Region 18 championship on March 10. The squads meet again Wednesday.
TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball enters its Scenic West Athletic Conference schedule unranked for the first time since 2020 and hosts No. 5 Salt Lake Community College at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
No. 17 College of Southern Idaho women's basketball team welcomes Salt Lake Community College at 5 p.m.
Here are six things to watch (three for men, three for women) in CSI’s SWAC opener.
Five straight against the Bruins?
Look at the SWAC champs since 2020 and you will notice two schools. Salt Lake Community College and CSI.
The Bruins, two-time defending SWAC champs also won in 2020 and CSI grabbed it a year later.
The Golden Eagles seek their fifth straight win against SLCC. Will the streak continue?
“I think it is best team that he (SLCC head coach Kyle Taylor) has had in the five years I have been going against Kyle Taylor,” CSI coach Jeff Reinert told the Times-News. “He has got all the pieces. He has got everything he needs and they have multiple scoring options.”
Will Muhammad continue consistent improvement?
Shahid Muhammad typically graces the hardwood as the tallest player on the court. And no one in the SWAC has better established blocking prowess than Muhammad, whose 52 swats lead the conference.
“I just love shot blocking,” Muhammad told the Times-News said. “I love the feel of blocking shots. It is the best.”
And no one is close. Salt Lake’s Coen Collier sits second in the league with 14 blocks.
But how impactful could Muhammad’s shot-blocking become against a Bruins squad ranked within the top 20 for offensive efficiency? Look out for defensive matchups with Salt Lake’s bigs with three guys taller than 6-foot-10.
“We just have to take care of the ball, get a great shot every time and make every shot tough for them,” Reinert said. “We have done that over the past couple years.”
Muhammad’s shooting production increased, too. Muhammad collected two straight career-highs — 13 on Dec. 16 and 15 on Jan. 2.
Kilgore College transfer guard CJ Luster leads the Bruins’ four double-digit scorers with 17.7 points per game and produces at a 49.2% clip from the field with 47.2% from 3-point range.
He does it all with 61 points in his past two games. SLCC also boasts six NCAA Division I transfers. Not much drop-off from a squad who graduated eight.
BONUS: Familiar face returns.
Former CSI volunteer assistant coach Morris Bethea will return to the CSI gym as an SLCC assistant coach. Bethea coached at CSI in 2022-23, helping the Golden Eagles to their first undefeated regular season since 1977.
Eyes turn to this matchup for a rubber match of the 2023 SWAC championship, which CSI won, 60-57
But don’t expect many of the same faces Wednesday. Only a combined seven players from those rosters return — four for CSI, including CSI’s Honorable Mention All-American guard Kaylee Headrick, and three for SLCC.
These teams are hot at the right time. CSI seeks its eighth straight win and SLCC looks for its ninth.
The CSI women's basketball team celebrates after defeating Salt Lake Community College to win its third straight Region 18 championship on March 10. The squads meet again Wednesday.
TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Kaylee Headrick will ball in Mountain West gyms this time next year with Colorado State. But first, she will try to steer CSI to a potential fourth straight SWAC title and NJCAA Tournament appearance.
She leads CSI in points per game (11.5), rebounds per game (9.3) and in blocks (17) but will be looked to elevate in conference play.
Is her sixth double-double on the way? Remember, she torched SLCC for 17 points and 14 rebounds Jan. 28, 2023.
Gillette’s impact Kennedy Gillette immediately topped several box scores in her first college games.
She rolled through the prep ranks at Sugar-Salem High School as a known sharpshooter and established the same identity in Twin Falls.
Gillette boasts a 35% 3-point clip on 78 attempts and recorded seven straight double-digit outings. Will the SLCC defense contain her Wednesday.
Also look out for freshmen Elena Birkeland and Mariah Mons who can hit from deep when called upon from the bench. Birkeland holds a 47% clip on 34 attempts and Mons splashed 36% of her 47 attempts.
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PHOTOS: Region 18 Championship, 2023 — SLCC Vs. CSI
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Liv Knapp, facing, celebrates with teammates after the Golden Eagles defeated Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Tournament championship game on Friday night in Twin Falls. Knapp was named the game's MVP.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Courtney Stothard goes to the basket during the second half of the Golden Eagles' come-from-behind victory over Salt Lake Community College on Friday night in the Region 18 Tournament final.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Kali Haizlip puts the ball up against Salt Lake Community College during the Region 18 Tournament title game on Friday night.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Livia Knapp is fouled by Salt Lake Community College's Mia Tarver during the final seconds of the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Tylie Jones smiles after cutting down a piece of the net following the Golden Eagles' win over Salt Lake Community College last week for their third straight Region 18 championship.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho players cut pieces of the net down after defeating Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Taycee Harper looks to MVP Livia Knapp after winning the Region 18 Championship tournament Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
The CSI women's basketball team celebrates after defeating Salt Lake Community College to win its third straight Region 18 championship on March 10. The squads meet again Wednesday.
TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Kennedy Eskelson, shown against Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 championship game on March 10 in Twin Falls, signed Friday with NCAA Division I Weber State University.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game March 10 at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
Dr. Bre Haizlip busts a move while watching her daughter Kali Haizlip play against Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's mascot Gilbert holds up the Times-News before the women's team takes on Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Kali Haizlip dribbles the ball against Salt Lake Community College during the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Kali Haizlip dribbles the ball against Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 Tournament championship game in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Gilbert gives fives to the crowd against during the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Courtney Stothard stretches out for the ball against Salt Lake Community College's Mia Tarver during the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Taycee Harper guards Salt Lake Community College's Mia Tarver during the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Alyssa Christensen drives to the basket during the Golden Eagles' 60-57 win over Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 Tournament title game on March 10 on Idaho Central Court.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI's Livia Knapp shows a little emotion during the Region 18 Championship on Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho guard LIvia Knapp hoists a shot in the Golden Eagles' 60-57 win over Salt Lake Community College in the Region 18 Championship game on March 10 in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
College of Southern Idaho defeats Salt Lake Community College 60-57 in the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Region 18 Championship — SLCC Vs. CSI
CSI head coach Randy Rogers talks to MVP Livia Knapp after defeating Salt Lake Community College at the Region 18 Championship game Friday night, March 10, 2023, at CSI in Twin Falls.
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
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