JACKSON, Miss. -- The tip-off to the 2018-19 basketball season is right around the corner for Millsaps College. The Majors get things going tomorrow night by hosting cross-town rival Belhaven University in the season opener. 

Senior guard Michael Sullivan said the Belhaven game is, "A good way to come out right from the get-go, play in a big time environment, and show everyone what this team is capable of this season," 

Head Coach Jimmy Smith has a veteran squad returning to the floor this season. Millsaps only graduated one player last season and that player, Sam Kohnke, has returned to the program in an assistant coach's role. Led by Sullivan, who was named to the All-SAA First Team last season the Majors are expected to compete for a SAA championship this season. 

Joining Sullivan, Millsaps also returns their three other top scorers from last season in She'Chem Grant, Joshua Miller and Buck Blanz. The long list of returners are joined by several high-level newcomers. Transfers like Justin Van Pelt, and Ryan McLaurin combined with freshman Newlon Gillihan and Andrew Devall, have the expectations riding high for the Majors this season. 

It all gets underway with tomorrow night's 8:00pm tip against the Blazers. 

Looking ahead to the rest of the schedule, Millsaps will again play in the SAA/SCAC Challenge, this year hosted by Hendrix. The Majors have four other home non-conference games, including a pair of contests against Howard Payne University and the University of Dallas right after Thanksgiving. 

Smith pointed to starting off conference play at a higher level this season as a big key for the Majors, and Millsaps will open SAA play this year with three straight games at the Hangar Dome beginning with Birmingham-Southern on New Years Day. The Majors will also play Berry College and Oglethorpe University at home the first weekend of January before heading out on the road.

Also new this season, Millsaps College will offer free streaming via the newly created Millsaps Sports Network. Thanks to generous donations from M-Club donors, fans and parents who can't make it to Millsaps will be able to stream the games on HD at no cost.