Though it is an exhibition, Topper players and coaches readily admit that they will carry a season mentality into their 7 p.m. game against Kentucky State tonight in Diddle Arena.

“We don’t have a preseason mentality at all,” sophomore forward Daniel Emerson said. “We consider (tonight) our first real game, and we’re really excited because we’ve been going up against each other for three weeks straight. We’re all ready for some fresh meat.”

Coach Darrin Horn said he expects this to be an opportunity to experiment with the lineup in the Tops’ only exhibition before Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. matchup at Kennesaw State.

“We have a handful of things that we feel like we have to be good at, no matter who we’re playing, for our team to be successful,” he said. “We’re gonna approach it to win, first and foremost, but then we may experiment a little more and get some guys some minutes that might not normally get ‘em.”

Horn said he couldn’t name a starting five at this point, but he said he expects opportunities for players to see some action.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “As much as the game allows us to, we’ll try to get guys experience.”

While the lineup may be up in the air, the players said they know what their roles are and know how to approach tonight’s game.

“Kentucky State is a strong team,” Emerson said. “We have to come out and execute and do the small things it takes to be a good team.”

Senior guard Butch Jointer said while he doesn’t expect flawless basketball from the Tops, he does expect maximum effort.

“We want to beat them as bad as we can,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s about being sharp, ’cause everyone is going to make mistakes, but it’s about bringing the same intensity that we had in practice. If we do that, then we’ll be OK. It’s not going to be a perfect game.”

Western defeated Bellarmine 91-67 in their only exhibition game last November.

- Ed Lukins