WHEELING, W.V., - With some familiar faces in different roles and a group of eager newcomers, the Cheyney University men's basketball team opens the season with a difficult task at #1 West Liberty University this evening at 5:30 PM.

The Hilltoppers and Wolves will meet for the first time in the PSAC/MEC Challenge hosted by West Liberty. West Chester University and Notre Dame (Ohio) will battle in the nightcap.

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Acting Head Coach Dawud Morris takes the reigns, after four years as an assistant coach at Cheyney, with a young athletic team. The Wolves feature six returning lettermen and eight newcomers.

Morris knows what a challenge it is to face the number one team in the nation to start the season, but he also sees it as an opportunity for the young Wolves to start building the cohesiveness it takes to succeed on and off the court. "We need to play together as a team offensively and defensively, we have great chemistry on this team." Morris added that the squad will be modeled after the San Antonio Spurs. "The focus is on teamwork, communicating, sharing the ball and moving without the ball."

Junior guard, Rafiq Marshall is the team's leading returning scorer at 10.5 ppg., while R-junior co-captain Imir Bailey is the teams top rebounder from last season's squad with a 4.5 rpg average.

It will be the first opportunity for the new look Wolves to face another opponent, and what a task.

West Liberty has averaged over 30 wins over its last seven season, returns three-players who were second-team all-league performers and has added two Division I transfers.

The Wolves will take on the Falcons, of Notre Dame (Ohio), on Saturday at 5:30, while the Golden Rams and Hilltoppers will meet in the finale of the two day event.