Aside from dusting off the sneakers and rolling out the bleachers, the first exhibition game of the season for the men's basketball team will provide more than a "first game."
For head coach Tim Buckley, exhibition season is a time to teach. For his players, it's a time to learn, especially for the newer players.
"It will be their first real test to play in front of a crowd, have officials and be in a game situation," Buckley said. "It's just going to give the young guys an opportunity to play at the college level for the first time. We have really focused on Team Nike because we want our guys to get used to how we prepare for all of our games."
While preparing for Team Nike, Buckley and his team has focused on a few particulars.
"We have some basic things that we are always going to work on in practice," he said. "Right now we are preparing for certain things that Team Nike will do - isolation in their offense, they defend certain screening situations, their pick and roles and they do a little more with flares than some other teams that we'll see. "
Senior Chris Williams said the first two exhibition games are a great time for his newest teammates to get a grip on the college basketball atmosphere.
"These younger guys have no clue what's going on," Williams said. "For the older guys it's just returning to what we are supposed to do. For the younger guys it's a learning experience."
With tonight's game, at 7 p.m., being an exhibition game, there is room for Buckley to tinker with lineup combinations. So much room in fact, he was unsure Monday at media day as to who would be the starting five. The third-year coach did say that Theron Smith and Williams would more than likely start tonight. He went on to explain that his biggest area of unknown was in the guard spot.
"There has been some really tight competition in practice," Buckley said.
One thing that is certain concerning tonight's lineup is the absence of sophomore Matt McCollom, who is out for injury. McCollom has turf toe on his right big toe and remains day-to-day, according to Buckley.
Mostly though, Buckley said he and his players are eager for the first tipoff of the season, even if it is exhibition action.
"We will approach this game just like we would any other game," Williams said. "Even though it's an exhibition game we are still putting on our uniforms and still playing. We worked so hard over the summer and we have practiced so hard we are excited to just finally get out there and play."
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