The Coahoma Community College men's basketball team begins regular season play tonight with a home game against Northwest Mississippi Community College. The matchup marks the first game of head coach Dell Cannon's current tenure with his alma mater.

"It's gonna be a real tough matchup," Cannon said. "Coach [Shane] Oakley does a great job with his guys year in and year out." Cannon also said that he expects Northwest to "play a tough, fast-paced game."

Cannon and his players are looking forward to the matchup, but according to Cannon, his players are more excited than he is about the game.

"My guys are excited. They're way more excited than I am. To me, I know it's a long season so one game don't define a season. … They're excited, because they're tired of playing against each other every day and they're ready to play against somebody else," Cannon said on Oct. 22.

Cannon said that the team is "excited for" the challenge, and he is encouraging CCC fans to attend the season opener against Northwest.

"You don't want to miss it," Cannon said. "Get your popcorn ready."

The game is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 1, at 6:00 p.m. The matchup will broadcast live at www.coahomasports.com/watch.