Bulldogs visit 'Show Me State' to start hoops season

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Bulldogs open their "heavy" 2016-17 basketball schedule Friday with a two-game visit to the "Show Me State."

On Friday, the Bulldogs are at Missouri State to take on the Bears at 7 p.m. and then they travel to Columbia, Mo., and a 7 p.m. tipoff Sunday with the Tigers of Mizzou. Friday's game will be carried on espn3 http://www.espn.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2913388/alabama-am-vs-missouri-state

After that, the Bulldogs have games at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 17), Southern Miss (Nov. 21), Murray State (Nov. 26), UAB (Nov. 29), Troy (Dec. 10), Georgia State (Dec. 14), Bowling Green (Dec. 22) and Western Michigan (Dec. 29). Their lone home game before the Jan. 2 SWAC opener is Dec. 3 when Tennessee Tech visits Elmore Gym.

"We have a heavy schedule," Head Coach Willie Hayes said. "We have a chance against them ... that's all I want, to give yourself a chance."

The Bulldogs will put a young, "energetic" lineup out on the court by returning just two regular starters - senior guard Rakiya Battle and senior center Quinterian McConico.

But Battle and McConico are a good base to build on - both were named to the preseason All-SWAC second team.

"We'll have a young, energetic team," Hayes said. "We have some returnees who have stepped up.

"I'm excited about the freshmen."

Battle, who led the SWAC in assists in each of the past two seasons, said he's excited about the new players, too.

"I've never seen a team this competitive," he said. "The new kids especially. They have brought a lot and are going to help us out."

Seniors Marcus Merriweather, Christopher Thomas, Matthew Cotton and Adrian Edwards will be called upon for their leadership, along with Battle and McConico, Hayes said.

"I'm expecting a lot out of McConico," he said.

About the other seniors who saw action last year and this season's new players, Hayes said, "When your turn comes, you've got to take advantage of it.

"To be a great leader, you've got to be a great follower."

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Players Mentioned

#2 Christopher Thomas: G; 6' 7"; Senior

#11 Matthew Cotton: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#10 Rakiya Battle: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#42 Quinterian McConico: C/F; 6' 8"; Senior

#12 Marcus Merriweather: G; 6' 0"; Junior

#30 Adrian Edwards: F; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#2 Christopher Thomas
: 6' 7"; Senior
: G

#11 Matthew Cotton
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#10 Rakiya Battle
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#42 Quinterian McConico
: 6' 8"; Senior
: C/F

#12 Marcus Merriweather
: 6' 0"; Junior
: G

#30 Adrian Edwards
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F