VANCOUVER – The UBC men's basketball team tips off the 2012-13 campaign Saturday night with an exhibition game versus NCAA Division 1 Eastern Washington. Game time is 7 p.m. at War Memorial Gym.

This year's team will feature a number of new faces with just five players returning from last year's squad. Saturday's game will provide head coach Kevin Hanson and his staff a better understanding of exactly what he is working with.

"With so many new players this year, this game will give us a chance to get to know our guys a little better and for them to understand our systems," said Hanson now in his 13th season as UBC's head coach. "There are pros and cons to a game like this because it is so early in the year, but I know all the guys are eager to see how they stack up."

Second-year forward Tommy Nixon (Vancouver) and fourth-year guard Doug Plumb (Pitt Meadows, B.C.) are two returning players Hanson will rely heavily on this year. He is also excited to see how three transfers fit in; O'Brian Wallace, who redshirted with the team last year, led the Brandon Bobcats in scoring during the 2010-11 season; 6-foot-11 big man Jared Casey, a native of Maple Ridge, B.C., returns to his home province for graduate school after previously playing at the University of San Francisco; and Brylle Kamen, originally from Paris, France, transferred from San Jose State.

The true rookies will also get their chance. A group led by Jordan Jensen-Whyte (Calgary), Isaiah Solomon (Richmond, B.C.), and Conor Morgan (Victoria, B.C.).

"I'm really impressed with the freshmen," said Hanson. "We are excited to see what they will bring to our program. They will get every opportunity to play early on and prove they can contribute. Our practices thus far have been very competitive because we are deep in every position. Needless to say, the constant battle in our own practices will certainly help us in game situations."

Eastern Washington joins a long list of Division 1 schools to make the trip to BC for a series of exhibition games. Over the years UBC has played the likes of Kansas, Arizona, Oklahoma (featuring then freshman and future first overall NBA pick Blake Griffin), and most recently Santa Clara. 

The Eagles will also play Thompson Rivers, Victoria, Fraser Valley, and Squamish's Quest University on their trip.

"For the profile, you want to play against Division 1 teams," said Hanson. "Eastern Washington has been practicing hard for 10 days and wants to win these games. Our guys are excited to play any Division 1 opponent to know if they can compete with top level athletes on full ride scholarships."

Last year Eastern Washington finished 15-17 overall and 8-8 in the Big Sky Conference to finish in fourth place. They last went to the NCAA Tournament in 2004.