COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Artis Maddox era of the Benedict College men's basketball program begins Friday, when the Tigers open the 2018-19 season in the NCAA South Region Tipoff Challenge in Melbourne, Fla.

"I'm just so excited. I'm ecstatic," Maddox said. "The guys have been working extremely hard, and we've been pushing them. It's time for us to show the Benedict community, as well as Columbia, that we can go out and play good college basketball. I'm very excited."

The Tigers open the season on Friday at 1 p.m. against Rollins College. Rollins returns two starters from last year's 16-14 team. On Saturday, Benedict will take on tournament host Florida Tech at 6 p.m.

Maddox came to Benedict from Florida Memorial, an NAIA school. But while in Florida, he did occasionally play against some of the tough schools from the Sunshine State Conference.

"I don't know what to expect. This is my first time coaching at the NCAA Division II level. I am familiar with Rollins. They sit in a 2-3 zone the whole game, no matter what the score is. We just have to be patient and move the ball. We will have to make outside shots to beat them. We will get looks, we have to make shots when we're open."

Florida Tech will pose a different challenge, Maddox said. "They're big - 6-9, 6-10 - and they're physical," Maddox said. "We just have to match their physicality."

Not only is Maddox new to the Benedict sideline, he will be coaching a team with only three returners from last year's 21-10 team.

Point guard Davante Wiltshire played in 28 of Benedict's 31 games, averaging 14.4 minutes per game. He averaged 3.3 points and 1.75 assists per game. DeShawn Graham saw action in 16 games and averaged 3.1 points and hit half (7-of-14) of his 3-point attempts. Ricky Peterson also appeared in 16 games.

"Davante Wiltshire played a few minutes just about every game last year. Ricky Peterson is a very energetic and hustle type of player. He's a great role player, a guy coming off the bench," Maddox said. "DeShawn Graham, I think he's going to surprise a few people this year. He has the ability to be a very good player in this conference. He just has to believe in himself and have confidence."

With just seven points per game returning to the roster, Maddox had to fill the team with new faces.

"I think one that is really going to help is Tyrease Mapp," Maddox said of the sophomore transfer from Florida Memorial. "He's a 6-4 guard, runs the floor, is very athletic, he defends and he makes shots. He should help us this year."

Another newcomer who followed Maddox from Florida Memorial is senior guard Aaron Bryant. He did not play last season, but averaged 11.9 points per game two years ago. "He's a very elite scorer, and he should average double figures easily in this conference," Maddox said. Kelvin Omojola is a 6-1 combo guard.

In the frontcourt, Maddox said the Tigers will be young with redshirt 6-8 freshman Fraser MacDonald and 6-8 freshman Jasiah Perry, as well as junior college transfer Jean-Michel Tine, a 6-7 forward. Romello Jones is a 6-5 forward.

"Fraser should help us with rebounding and posting up, as well as Jasiah Perry, who should help us as well. Jean-Michel Tine is a banger and should help us out. Hopefully those guys can help get it done this season," Maddox said.

Maddox wants to bring a fast-paced, high-scoring offense to the Tigers.

"My style of play is we're trying to score 100 points every game, but we also defend," Maddox said. "But, to score 100 points a game, you have to have people who can make shots."

In their only preseason exhibition game against Division I College of Charleston, the Tigers shot just 18 percent for the game, missing 59 of their 72 shot attempts.

"Against College of Charleston, we had a lot of open looks, but we didn't make them," Maddox said. "Hopefully, we can correct those misses and turn them into makes this week."

After this weekend's road trip, the Tigers return to play a home exhibition game on Nov. 15 against across-the-street rival Allen. The first non-exhibition home game is Nov. 24 against LeMoyne-Owen in their SIAC opener. Maddox is looking forward to that first home game.

"The fans will see a very competitive team," Maddox said. "We will compete, we will play hard, we will be well-coached and we will be disciplined. I can guarantee that."