Men's basketball officially opens the 2016-17 season on Saturday at 2 p.m. traveling to the University of West Georgia (Carrollton) for the third straight year to take part in the GSC/SIAC Challenge.

The Flames, under the direction of Bubba Smith, will face Miles College on Saturday at 2 and Lane College on Sunday at 2. Last season Lee defeated Lane 79-63, but lost to Miles.

DIFFERENT STORY THIS YEAR?
Lane finished last season at 18-13. However the Jackson, Tenn.-based program has been picked to win the Western Division of the SIAC this season. The Dragons are led by Terrance Bridgeman, who has been selected by the coaches as the preseason player of the year. He is a 6-foot-3 senior guard. The Flames will also have to defend against Kendarius Ash, a 6-foot-7 sophomore forward. Ash joined Bridgeman as members of the All-SIAC team. 

Miles is located in Birmingham, Ala. Last season the Golden Bears recorded a 17-13 overall mark and were 14-5 in the SIAC. They will be paced by guard E. Reginald Smalls and red-shirt forward Shagiulle Cook. 

UP AND DOWN GAMES?
The Lee coaching staff knows Miles and Lane like to get up and down the court quickly and if last Saturday's Homecoming exhibition win over Piedmont College is an indicator, Bubba Smith's Flames would like to do the same as witnessed in the 100-73 victory.

Cody Jones, a transfer from Sewanee, made his Lee debut with 13 points, three assists and a couple of steals against Piedmont. Senior Rico Overall and freshman Parker Suedekum had 10 points each. Suedekum was impressive with 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Overall he garnered six rebounds.
 
The Flames shot 64 percent in the second half and finished the game with a solid 54 percent shooting mark. They made 14-of-23 free throws and held their turnovers to 14.