by Sports Xchange

Jackson will be preaching defense, so the new players are going to have to show some good work ethic to get onto the floor. Jackson shouldn't have any problem pressuring the ball, with three new point guards -- A.J. Spencer, Jaderren Mumpfield and Kevin Watts -- eager to show their stuff. There will be some depth up front as well, with Robert Sanders, Adrian Spellman, Chris Duncan and Jordan Jefferson all trying to get into the act.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: You wouldn't think a home game against Columbus State would be a key game, but for the Hornets, whose only home game prior to Dec. 19 is a Nov. 24 date with Columbus State, it's definitely a must win. Playing Mississippi and Belmont on the road will be tough to start the season with, which is why the Columbus State game can help build some confidence prior to road games with Tulane, DePaul, Evansville, Southern Illinois and Arkansas.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Lewis Jackson had Alabama State at the pinnacle of the SWAC, leaving the team nowhere to go but down. This season might be a dramatic drop-off considering how much of the winning lineup was lost, but no one expects the Hornets to be down for very long. That's a testament to the coaching of Jackson and where the program is right now.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Jevon Freeman, G Menji Mundadi, G Tramaine Butler, F Ivory White, F/C Byron Walker.

ROSTER REPORT:

--It will be interesting to see how aggressive with the ball G Evan Hilton is this year. After suffering a knee injury, Hilton may find himself thinking about the injury too much early in the season. The hope is that Hilton has overcome those fears with his rehab and off-season work.

--F Roland Fitch won't be back with the Hornets this year for undisclosed reasons. Fitch averaged 9.7 points per game as a junior and was being counted on for big numbers this season.

--G Jaderren Mumpfield could find himself in the game quite a bit in the early going, especially if coach Lewis Jackson wants to push the tempo. The 5-11, 170-pound junior is certainly capable of pushing the ball up the floor when given the opportunity.