JACKSON, Miss. - During the week before the winter sports season, Millsaps Athletics will preview men's and women's basketball. The first season preview is men's basketball.

First year head coach Jimmy Smith, who came to Millsaps after head coaching stints at Schreiner University and Texas Lutheran University, brings a young team into the 2017-18 season. This year's group consists of 16 underclassmen and four upperclassmen, with four transfers.

Millsaps returns two out of their three top scorers from last season. Sam Kohnke is the lone senior on the team, the guard averaged over 11 points, pulled down five rebounds, and was second on the team with 3.5 assists per game last year. He also led the team in three pointers made and steals on his way to being named to the SAA honorable mention team. Buck Blanz is back for his second season in purple and white. The sophomore averaged 11 points while grabbing four boards per game during his freshman campaign.

With the edition of a new coaching staff, young players and many transfers to the team, Millsaps enters the 2017-18 season looking to compete for a high seed in the SAA tournament. They begin their season on November 15th at the University of Dallas at 5:30 p.m.