BEAUMONT, Texas – As we prepare to flip the calendar from October to November, it is time to start talking basketball. Lamar University will be tipping off the regular season Monday Sept. 3 against Texas A&M-San Antonio at 11 a.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. Fans who wish to get an early look and the Red and White will have that opportunity Wednesday when the Cardinals host Mary Hardin-Baylor in an exhibition contest.
 
Heading into his fifth season at the helm, LU head coach Alvin Brooks brings back arguably his best team since his arrival, and that is saying something considering the Cardinals are coming off a 20-win season that saw them advance to the 2025 Southland Conference Tournament Championship game.
 
The Cardinals return seven letterwinners and three starters (when you take into account junior B.B. Knight who sat out last season but was one of the team's leading scorers the year prior). In addition to Knight that group also includes senior Andrew Holifield who was an SLC All-Defensive team selection last year and classmate Cody Pennebaker who is a three-year returning starter.
 
The Cardinals have seen a remarkable climb to the top under Brooks' guidance. Lamar has seen improved wins each year since his first season, and to make that number even more impressive, the Cardinals have improved despite losing their leading scorer from the year before.
 
Last season, the Cardinals became the first team in program history to win 14 conference games, and Big Red steps on the court this year looking for consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since the 1983-84 and 1984-85.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor is an NCAA Division III school who competes in the American Southwest Conference. The Crusaders enter the 2025-26 campaign looking to build off a 15-11 season that saw them go 3-5 in ASC competition.
 
Wednesday's contest is slated for a 6 p.m. start from the Neches Arena.