LORMAN &8212; Coming off an 8-20 season, the Alcorn State Braves and Coach Sam West will open their season tonight with a stiff test.

The Braves take on Texas tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Coaches Vs. Cancer Austin Regional.

West said he was unsure of what the Longhorns might bring to the table tonight.

&8220;They&8217;ve got a lot of new players we&8217;ve never seen on tape,&8221; he said. &8220;We have no idea. They have three All-Americans starting, and two projected NBA starters. Their point guard, D.J. Augustin, is a great player. If we can play with intensity and smartness, we can play with anybody. We&8217;re excited about the opportunity to play in a big-time arena in a big-time atmosphere. It&8217;s going to be an interesting game.&8221;

West said several returning players would be a key part of the season.

&8220;I think my seniors, Delvin Thompson, Juan Wyatt and Clifton Douglass, are going to be a key part of the season,&8221; he said. &8220;They&8217;ll have to play within themselves and play a high-level brand of basketball for us to win.&8221;

Coming off two down seasons, West said he felt this is the year the team turns things around.

&8220;My expectations are always high,&8221; he said. &8220;You always hope that young kids will learn what they&8217;re doing and learn your system and execute what you&8217;re trying to do. We want to play with intensity and intelligence. My job is to get that out of them, along with my staff. My opinion is we can play with anybody if we make shots and don&8217;t turn the ball over.

&8220;Intensity, not turning the ball over and knocking down shots are the key. Those are the three things we haven&8217;t done well the last couple years. This is my senior group. They&8217;ve been with me long enough to know what to expect and I hope we can get it done.&8221;