by Sports Xchange

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: TSU wants to avoid last year's ugly 14-game losing streak to start the season, and there are definitely some chances for early victories. Road games with Northern Colorado and Lackland Air Force Base and a home contest with Jarvis Christian are certainly winnable for the Tigers. There are also some tough games, with trips to Colorado, Air Force, Cincinnati, Wichita State and New Mexico State slated before Christmas.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Tony Harvey seems to be ready to make the hard decisions that it takes to turn a program around, although it's not going to be an easy process. Harvey does need to win soon, though. The administration he was hired by isn't at the school anymore, meaning there may be a sentiment for change if the Tigers don't get turned around in a hurry.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Whitworth Treasure, G Deandre Hall, G David Burrell, F Tony Boyles, F TeAllen Price.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Kevin Galloway has had quite the trip around the college basketball world, transferring from the College of Southern Idaho to Kentucky only to be released from his scholarship with the Wildcats when John Calipari came to town. Now Galloway must sit out a season while waiting to become eligible with the Tigers.

--G Harrison Smith has had a long road, transferring from Texas over the summer to Stephen F. Austin, then leaving the Southland Conference school for Texas Southern.

--G Deandre Hall may face extra defensive attention from opponents after leading the team in scoring a year ago. Hall may need to move more without the ball to get open.