The TCU basketball team starts its season tonight at 7 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Despite struggling a year ago after a 9-4 start, TCU head coach Jim Christian has reenergized his team with an infusion of new talent. Returning is third-team All-Mountain West selection, point guard Hank Thorns, along with Garlon Green, J.R. Cadot and sophomore forward Amric Fields who is looking to have a break-out sophomore campaign.

“We have two [centers]  now who can both guard and play strong in the post,” Christian said of newcomers Adrick McKinney and Craig Williams.

“This is the most fun group of guys that I have ever coached. I am having a blast coaching,” Christian said. “Nate Butler has really changed the whole attitude of this team. He has great charisma, and he is one of those guys that has never had a bad day.”

Fields said the team is ready to play someone else after playing against each other for over a month now in practice.

“We have been beating each other up in practice, and now we are ready to beat up on someone else. Through our scrimmaging in practice, you can tell that over the last couple of days we have been urgent to play someone besides ourselves,” Fields said.

Florida Gulf Coast is led by Kevin Cantinol and Christophe Varidel, who are the lone two returning starters from last year for head coach Andy Enfield’s team. However, Varidel is likely to come off the bench for the Eagles. Freshmen Brett Comer and Bernard Thompson have taken over as the starting backcourt for coach Enfield.