COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs men's basketball team will open the 2016-17 season with regional opponents at the Tarleton State Whatburger Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday in Stephenville, Texas. The Mountain Lions will start with Texas-Permian Basin at 1 p.m., MST, on Friday, and follow with No. 10 Tarleton on Saturday at 6 p.m., MST.

It's the third straight season UCCS will play games in Stephenville, and the second straight in the Tip-Off Classic. The Mountain Lions made their first trip to Tarleton for the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2014 and reached the second round.

The Mountain Lions are coming off its third straight RMAC Tournament berth and are projected to reach the tournament for the fourth straight season fifth-place pick in the preseason coaches' poll. UCCS will be replacing three of its starters from last season, all of whom signed professional contracts in Europe after graduation.

TreShawn Wilford missed the last half of the season but will be back for his senior season in 2016-17. Elijah Ross, who moved into the starting role on New Year's Day, will also return after 16 starts and 4.2 assists per game. Brandon Malone started 27 games and shot 46 percent from the field and 45 percent beyond the three-point line with eight points per game.

The Mountain Lions and Texas-Permian Basin will meet for the first time in program history on Friday afternoon. The Falcons were picked ninth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll and will be led by Johnny Lacy. He averaged 18.3 points per game last season.

Tarleton State was picked second in the same preseason poll after a run to the national quarterfinals last season. Josh Hawley led the Texans in its only exhibition game of the season with 19 points in a 77-49 win against Southwestern Christian on Sunday.

Live video will not be available for Friday's game, but will be on Saturday's game. Live stats will be available for both games.