SAVANNAH, Ga.- A couple of years removed from winning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and making the NCAA Division II National Tournament, the Savannah State University men's basketball team is eager to return to put more hardware in their trophy-case.

The Tigers ended last season with a 15-11 overall record while finishing 13-8 in conference play and earning a first round bye in the SIAC Tournament. Unfortunately, SSU was upended in the quarterfinals of the tournament by Benedict, 78-68.

This year, the conference head coaches and sports information directors predicted that SSU would finish third in the SIAC East behind Benedict College and Morehouse College.

Set to begin his 20th year as the Tigers head coach, Horace Broadnax  has to replace team leader Eleik Bowles who averaged 16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
 
SSU has nine veterans returning from last year which includes 6-foot-4 junior Ayjay Plain who averaged 10.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Sophomore returnees who could be key contributors are 6-foot-3 guard Zion Davis (5.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 18 steals), 6-foot- 6 forward Chancellor Wilson (3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 14 blocks) and 5'11" guard Javon Landy (4.7 points).
 
The Tigers welcome eight newcomers to the roster this year. Needing help in the post, Broadnax brought in 6-foot-7 are freshman Jordan Mikel and transfers Qua King and Juan Gordon.

Mikel averaged 10.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a year ago at Jacksonville Christian Academy. King comes to SSU from University of the Southwest and Gordon's last stop was at St. Augustine's University.
 
Also looking to make a impact are 6-foot-4 Marius Ellis, who averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds at Albany's Monroe High and 6'2" guard AuMauri Tillman who produced 12.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals a night at Westside of Augusta.
 
Savannah State will start the season on the road with non-conference match ups with Florida Southern (November 10) and St. Leo (Nov. 11). On Nov. 21, SSU will play South Carolina-Beaufort in Savannah's EnMarket Arena as part of the Savannah Hoops Invitational. Their first game at Tiger Arena will be Nov. 25 against Kentucky State.