STEPHENVILLE - The 2011-12 Tarleton men's basketball season will get under way Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in Wisdom Gym as part of the South Central Region Challenge.   The Texans will face former Lone Star Conferene member Southeastern Oklahoma on Friday, followed by a showdown with Pittsburg State on Saturday, also at 7 p.m.

Tarleton is coming off a 24-6 season, an LSC South Division title and trips to the LSC and NCAA Division II tournaments.

This year's squad features six seniors and six returning players, and was predicted to finish first in the Lone Star Conference Preseason poll which is voted upon by coaches and media members.

The Texans' top returning scorers are senior forwards Fabian Wilson (7.2 ppg, 50% 3PT) and Wes Dipprey (7.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg).  Other returning letterwinners are senior Warren Webb (21 starts, 3.5 ppg), senior Chris Harrell (26 appearances, 3.4 ppg), sophomore Coleman Furst (30 apperances, 2.6 ppg) and junior Larry Petite (Injured in 2010-11).

Tarleton has two senior transfers who are expected to get serious playing time in Shedrick Haynes (South Florida) and Zach Nelson (Sacramento State).  The junior transfers Demerius Smith (Kennedy King College), Brian Word (Brown Mackie CC) and Tim Eriste (Volunteer State CC) will also get plenty of action for the Texans.

There is also a wealth of talent and ability in the 2011-12 freshman class.  Davene Carter (Duncanville HS) and Cameron Lenzy (Duncanville HS) are former high school teammates and should see time together on the court this weekend.  Damion Clemons (Conrad HS) comes to Tarleton by way of Dallas and will help add depth to the front court.

The Texans will be looking to extend their 17-game home winning streak, which dates back to the 2009-10 season.  They will face some tough competition though in the Savage Storm and the Gorillas.

Southeastern Oklahoma had a rough final season in the LSC after going 3-22 last year, but a replinished line-up and a new coaching staff will make the Savage Storm a formidable first foe.  Senior Urald King returns for SOSU and brings 12.5 ppg and 6.4 rpg to the table.  He also led the team with 27 blocks and shot 54.4 percent from the floor.  The Savage Storm also welcomes back their second leading scorer Chris Roussell, who averaged 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.  Opposite of the Texans, SOSU is winless in their last 12 road games, but will be looking to end their streak Friday night in Stephenville.

Tarleton won the lone meeting between the two teams last year, 88-40, on Dec. 2 in Stephenville.

Pittsburg State also had a tumultuous 2010-11 season, posting a 13-13 record and finishing eighth in the MIAA conference.  The Gorillas welcome new head coach Kevin Muff, but bring back their top four scorers. Eric Ray (12.2 ppg), Eric Marshall (9.8 ppg), Andra Bailey (9.2 ppg) and Courtney Ingram (9.0 ppg) anchor a balanced and veteran Pitt St. squad.  In fact, the Gorillas only lost four players from last years team and 29% of their scoring.

In the first game on Friday, Eastern New Mexico hosts Pittsburg State at 5 p.m.  On Saturday, the Greyhounds will face Southeastern Oklahoma at 5 p.m. in Wisdom Gym.

Fans can follow along with this weekend's action via live stats courtesy Tarleton Athletic Communications, live video on Tarleton's All-Access Channel, and live radio feed.  Friday's game can be listened to on KEQX 89.7, while Saturday's game can be found on KSTV 93.1 FM.

For more information regarding the 2011-12 Tarleton men's basketball campaign, check out TarletonSports.com.