Men's basketball team tips off new season on Friday

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team tips off the regular season Friday at Indian River State College.

The Titans are starting a new era as Zach Ferrell takes over the program from Thomas Gray who led Eastern Florida State College to a 23-7 record last season.

Eastern Florida State College will have a new look this season as Joviel Acevedo-Arroyo is the only returning player that played last season, averaging 5.2 points in 28 games. The team does have three players coming in as transfers from other colleges that bring experience to the squad.

"I am really excited, we have a great group of kids. A lot of talent, they have just been a blast to coach and really thankful for them," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Zach Ferrell said. "We are really young and a lot are new to college basketball so we have a lot of learning to do but we had a great preseason for that, we grew a lot and learned and I am excited to be heading into the first game."

Indian River State College also has plenty of new faces after a 10-20 season and, like the Titans, has one player back that played last season. Brandon Noythanongsay averaged 4.5 points in 27 games last season for The River.

"We get to open up against a really good NJCAA Division I team that we will get to see multiple times this season and is not too far away," Ferrell said. "They are much improved, have heard a lot of good things about them. They are very talented and much improved. It will be a great first test for us to open up the year. It will give us a good gauge on where we are at."

Friday's season opener will tip off at 5 p.m. at Indian River State College. Admission is free and fans can watch the game live online on hudl.

The Titans will be home November 14 and 15 for the Eastern Florida Classic.