DUE WEST, SC- THe 2007-2008 Erskine men's basketball team opens up their three-game exhibition season at home on Friday night against the Kazakhstan National Team at 7:00 p.m. Admissions to the contest  is free.

The Flying Fleet is expected to be an exciting team to watch this season. THe Fleet are young but experienced. Senior guard T.J. Taylor and senior forward Lee Nester are the leaders of this young Fleet. Taylor averaged 14.5 points per game last season and led Erskine in assists and steals. He will have plenty of a help from a talented sophomore and freshmen class. Sophomore sharpshooter Brandon Wright led all freshmen in scoring in teh conference last season, averaging 16.5 points per game and making a school-record 99 three-pointers. Wright will get plenty of support from his sophomore class mates. 6'4 Jay Boulware, 6'2 Nate Jones, and 6'2 Matt Herring all have scoring capabilities on the perimeter. Sophomore point Victor Street, Jr. emerged last season as a dangerous threat at point guard and will lead the Fleet attack. Freshman Kevan Shepps will use his lightening quickness to share time at the point as well. Shepps has two intriguing freshmen mates that could possibly break into the Erskine starting five. 6'5 Nick Riley is a versatile athlete and scorer who has been impressive in early season practice. Wale Toyo is a 6'4 athletic wing from Charlotte, NC who plays with incredible energy.

Erskine's biggest loss to graduation was Craig Wiliams, a three-time All-CVAC selection in the post. The Fleet will count on five players to fill that void left by Williams. Furman sophomore transfer Grayson Glur and 6'7 junior James Fraley both are huge bodies with scoring potential. 6'6 sophomore Jaren Curry and 6'4 freshmen Thomas Counts bring athleticism into the middle and are both quality rebounders. The tallest Fleet, 6'9 freshman Greg Roberts is developing quickly and could well allow Erskine to play two posts at one time.

The Flying Fleet are picked in the Carolinas Conference Pre-season poll to finish sixth, which is what they finished last year after a 14-15 season for the fourth time in five years. Erskine has averaged 13 wins a year for the last six seasons but has yet to win more than 14 games during that stretch. In fact, Erskine has not had a winning season since 1991-1992. Erskine opens the season for keeps at home versus Newberry on Tuesday, November 20th at 7:30 p.m.