Men's basketball season to begin Nov. 16 at UTA

The sound of dribbled basketballscan be heard in the Herrington Patriot Center once again, as the 2010-2011 men's basketball season inches closer.
Kenny Bizot, who is about to start his fourth year at the helm of the men's basketball team, said the season couldn't come soon enough.

"We're excited," Bizot said. "I think we're going to be pretty good this year. It's hard to tell right now because we're a little banged up, but it's nothing serious."

Several players on the team have minor injuries, including twisted ankles and concussions.

Bizot said they've yet to have a complete team on the floor during practice, but he definitely likes what he's seen so far.

"We seem to have some good people on our basketball team," Bizot said. "We've got some guys that can shoot it and some that can finish inside."

Returning players to the team include Michael Johnson, Kevin Murray, Brandon Levine, Jonathon Joyner, Jonathon Tarpley and De-Jon "DJ" John.

Johnson was second on the team last season in points per game behind Hakeem Kareem and led the team in steals per game.

Kareem played his fourth and final season with the team last year and finished second on the school's all-time rebound list and games played and fourth in points scored.

He and Dexter McMarion leave big shoes to fill, but Bizot said he believes he has the players to fill them.

Bizot said he believes Murry will fill the defensive void left by McMarion. As far as Kareem's role, Bizot said it may not be one person that takes his place but a collective group of players who put up the stats Kareem did.

"It may be a combination of guys stepping up to have bigger stats than just one person," Bizot said.

American Southwest Conference officials tabbed the team to finish fourth this season in its preseason poll released Oct. 20. The men's team finished last season with a 15-11 record, and had their season ended in the first round of the ASC tournament for the second consecutive season.

"When you look at who's above us, it's hard to argue," Bizot said. "By no means do you want to be fourth, but UT-Dallas has prettymuch run the (ASC) East the last couple of years ... and ETBU (East Texas Baptist University) is always very talented."

Bizot said the team has what it takes to compete in the division and conference, and only time will tell what kind of team he has this season.

He said he wants to improve free-throw percentages and score more than 80 points a game. Ball protection is also an issue, as well as transition defense.

The team's first game of the season is scheduled for Nov. 16 at The University of Texas at Arlington. Their first home game is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 23 against Louisiana State University at Shreveport.

The following game at home on Nov. 27 against Hardin-Simmons opens ASC play for the Patriots.