PHILADELPHIA –College basketball fans have reason to rejoice after a long offseason as on Friday afternoon, the La Salle men's basketball team will begin official practice in preparation for the 2012-13 season.

Expectations are high on 20^th and Olney as head coach Dr. John Giannini returns four starters from last year's 21-win team. In arguably the deepest conference in the nation, La Salle was picked seventh in the preseason coaches poll, as the Atlantic 10, with new additions Butler and VCU, could send as many as eight or nine teams to the postseason.

All-Atlantic 10 selection Ramon Galloway is back for his second season and is part of a deep and talented backcourt that stacks up against some of the best in the country. Galloway averaged 14.1 ppg. and shot 44.2% from three-point range.

He teams up with point guard Tyreek Duren, an All-Big 5 selection that has more assists after two years than any Explorer since Doug Overton, and Sam Mills, who quietly averaged 10.6 ppg. and has shot 42.2% from three-point distance in two seasons.

Virginia Tech transfer Tyrone Garland will be eligible to compete following the conclusion of the first semester and provides another tough Philly guard that ended his high school career as the third all-time leading scorer in Philadelphia Public League history.

Sophomore D.J. Peterson is another guard that helped the Explorers finish fourth nationally in three-point percentage. The Minnesota native shot 48.1% from long distance overall and was even better in conference play, shooting at a 65% clip.

Junior Taylor Dunn has another year of experience under his belt and provides leadership and is another outstanding perimeter threat. Sophomore Khalid Lewis is a transfer from Delaware that will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer regulations.

In the front court, sophomore Jerrell Wright is stronger after a summer of weight-lifting. He was the Philadelphia Big 5 Rookie of the Year and an A-10 All-Rookie pick last season.

Sophomore Steve Zack also had a strong offseason and is expected to team with Wright to give Giannini two promising young talents in the paint. Freshman Rohan Brown redshirted last season and at 6-6, could provide help at either the guard or forward positions.

Penn transfer Garvin Hunt and freshman Jermaine Davis will provide depth up front.

Season tickets are on sale, with packages starting as low as $150 to celebrate the University's 150^th anniversary. Young alumni and faculty/staff discounts are available as well, those packages begin at $120.

Partial season tickets and individual games will go on sale in the next few weeks.

Call 215-951-1999 or email tickets@lasalle.edu for more information or to purchase your seats.