ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers men's basketball team opens the 2016-17 season tonight at Bill Vining Arena versus the University of Texas at Tyler. The defending Great American Conference champions begin their quest to earn a fourth GAC conference or tournament title in five years. Entering the season, Ouachita was picked second in the 2016-17 GAC Pre-season Coaches Poll. It's a quest that head coach Dennis Nutt knows will be long and difficult.

"We play in a tough conference and we face some tough out-of-conference opponents," coach Nutt said. "Last year we didn't get off to a great start but where able to regroup and finish strong. We need to get off to a better start this season and with two early conference games at home, it's even more important that we do that."

The Tigers will be relying on the play and leadership of its two senior guards, Justin McCleary and Lakee Westbrook. McCleary was an All-GAC performer in 2015-16 and Westbrook was the conference's Newcomer of the Year. 

"Justin has had a good career with us so far, he's very versatile on the floor, a good shooter and a really good defender. Lakee is a tremendous shooter and really played well for us last year, especially at the end of the season. Hopefully the two will really secure those guard spots for us."

The other senior the Tigers will be counting on for even more this year is forward Carven Holcombe. Holcombe played only the second half of last season, but was the missing piece for the Tigers in helping them reach the NCAA Tournament.

"Carven is a high-energy guy that gives you a lot of intensity on the floor. This year will be counting on him more to score with the loss of Tirrell Brown inside, we don't expect him to do it all, but we look forward to him having another good year."

Inside the Tigers will look to returner Aitor Lopez-Breton to add more in terms of minutes and offense ths season on the inside. Coach Nutt said Breton's off-season work will allow him to play with more physicality. Newcomers Aaron Durley, a senior transfer from TCU, and Cross Bright will also be asked to provide quality minutes in the paint.

The Tigers return eight letterman from last season's championship team. That experience will be a crucial key to Ouachita's success this year. The Tigers tip-off the season tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Bill Vining  Arena.