TOWSON, Md. – Pat Kennedy gets an early look at Towson’s 2009-10 men’s basketball team when the Tigers embark August 16^th on a foreign tour through Canada to play five games in seven days.

The Tigers’ squad will consist of 10 players, eight returning from last year’s 12-22 team plus two redshirts. Of the eight letter winners six had at least 17 starts on last year's squad that advanced Towson to the CAA semifinals for the first time. Five of the six leading scorers are back.

In making the program’s first foreign trip ever, the Tigers are scheduled to face the defending Canadian national champion Carleton University Ravens plus their alumni team during a three-day stay in Canada’s nation's capital. Later in the week the Tigers take on the University of Quebec in Montreal. The tour closes in Quebec City where they meet Laval University on successive nights.

“As we embark on the first foreign tour in Towson Men’s Basketball history, we are looking for it to be a springboard to the upcoming season,” said Kennedy. “Our performance in the CAA tournament last year has propelled a solid level of confidence and enthusiasm in our players. This tour will help us grow from that point.”

Three juniors in particular, Jimmy Smith, Danny Quinn and Josh Brown, will benefit from the early game experience. Smith transferred from Colorado State two years ago but because of a knee condition has been unable to perform. The Tigers are hopeful off-season surgery has solved the problem.

Both Quinn (Catholic University) and Brown (Mt. Olive) are transfers who sat out last year.