Strong guard play is expected from senior Brown in ‘12

The men’s basketball team plays its first game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at home against Lubbock Christian.

The exhibition game starts their 2011-12 season in which they can’t advance to the post-season due to NCAA sanctions.

“I’m anxious to see if things we’ve seen in practice show out game situation,” head coach Keith Richard said.

He said, “I think the guys will be ready to play.” The team returns several starters, and senior guard Fred Brown leads the team as the only Pre-Season All- Conference honor.

Richard said, “The whole guard package feels like its gotten a whole lot better since last year, and it’s a good feeling.”

Richard said the team knows what is expected of them now.

He said they understand how he coaches and how to win.

“If we can be mentally tough, show a little bit of physical toughness, and our guard play is better, then I think we have a chance to improve,” he said.

With no way to win a trophy this year, the team is just looking to improve and build.

Senior forward Christian Bibi Ndongo said, “I think we are ready, we can definitely see improvements from our guards.”

The team plays its first regular season game on Nov. 11 at Ole Miss.