Caleb Tegtmeier knows that 19 days of practice haven’t fully prepared the Emporia State men’s basketball team for its exhibition matchup against Wichita State.
Then again, 190 days might not do the trick, either.
“I don’t know if you’re ever ready to take on a team like Wichita State,” Tegtmeier said. “They’re going to be very, very good in all aspects.”
Tonight’s season-opener will tip off at 7 p.m. at Koch Arena in Wichita.
Though ESU is used to having challenges in preseason games — like losing 92-70 against Wichita State to begin last season — the Shockers should present an especially tough challenge this season.
Following a Sweet 16 appearance last year, WSU is ranked 27th in the opening ESPN/USA Today Division I poll, receiving votes and just failing to crack the top 25.
Still, ESU coach David Moe said the game would be less about results and more about growing as a team.
“It’s not about winning or losing for us,” Moe said. “It’s about how well we play.”
ESU returns starters Wes Book, Ed Desir and Tegtmeier from last season’s 18-13 team.
Book averaged 8.8 points in his sophomore campaign to lead the returning players. Tegtmeier added 5.9 points, while Desir contributed 2.9 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Others who should contribute immediately are transfers Donta Watson, DeAndre Townsend and Jordan Fithian.
Watson transferred to ESU from San Diego State at the semester break last season and will provide the Hornets with a strong outside shooter. Townsend gives ESU a quick guard that can penetrate, and Fithian — who was named the 2004 Kansas High School Player of the Year — came in from Division I Binghamton to help bolster the Hornets’ depth inside.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys that are still learning how to play together,” Moe said, “and learning what we expect as coaches.”
Tegtmeier said the preseason games against Division I opponents often provided a reality check for the Hornets.
“If you have one good day in practice, you think you’re really good,” Tegtmeier said. “Then you go play against those guys, and it’s very humbling.”
One thing’s for sure: To compete, ESU will need to play a nearly flawless game against the more-talented Shockers.
“Our margin for error is so small,” Moe said. “A couple of mistakes here and there could really blow the game open for us.”
ESU has had a history of staying close with WSU. In 2004, the two teams were tied with less than a minute remaining. Three years ago, the Hornets were down only three at the half.
After shooting 56.7 percent from the field in the first half, ESU trailed 49-40 at halftime in last year’s meeting.
The slate doesn’t get any easier for ESU after tonight’s game. The Hornets face the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse in their second exhibition game next Tuesday.
“This and KU — it’s a murder of an early-season schedule,” Tegtmeier said. “It’ll be a good experience. I think we can definitely get better out of it.”
Moe said more than anything, he hoped to see his team battle with the Shockers.
“The biggest thing for us is to make sure we keep competing, regardless of the score,” Moe said. “You walk away from the game with a lot of things to work on. Hopefully you have some positive things to build on, too.”