The men's Tigers basketball team is preparing for a 2:30 p.m. season opener against Trinity International at North Central College in Naperville, Ill.
The team is coming off an exhibition game against Butler University, in which senior forward Pat Haggin put up 17 points against his Division I contenders.
The Tigers showed promise against Butler, going into the second half losing by only nine points. Junior Tommy Fernitz showed strength against the Bulldogs alongside Haggin, grabbing seven boards and adding 14 points in the contest.
The team has four forwards and three centers on its roster, each 6-foot-5-iches or taller. Fernitz and senior Camron Burns are the tallest on the team, each player listed at 6-feet-9-inches.
The team hopes their height will help improve last years' 16-10 record. Last years' team lost the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal by one point against Wittenberg University. During the game, Wittenberg held a 24-16 advantage in the paint. Wittenberg center Scott Masin finished the contest with 25 points an eight rebounds, two short of a double-double. He shot 70 percent and went to the free throw line a total of 14 times.
The Tigers front court will take on the Trojan team that went 14-17 last year. Trinity graduated four seniors, including their leading scorer, Daniel Metzelfeld. The team is rebounding from a 87-77 loss last week against the Clarke Crusaders.
Head Coach Bill Fenlon and his squad anticipate getting off to a good start for their 2013-14 season.