Wednesday, at SEC Media Days in Birmingham, fifth-year coach Jeff Lebo said the Tigers had put the trials and tribulations of last season behind them.
“I, along with everyone, am very excited about the upcoming season,” Lebo said. “Right now we are pretty healthy, which is a big key for us after the disappointing injuries that we had last season. We were not able to put our best players on the court last year toward the end of the season. That is behind us now and we are focused on the future”
Getting to the postseason for the first time sinc 2003 is the goal for 2008-2009.
"I don't know if we are to the point to get an at-large bid to the NCAA,” Lebo said. “We have to get better and develop in some key areas of the game. We have not been in the postseason, so getting there would be a big step in the right direction. We obviously want to be in the NCAA Tournament."
Senior guard Quantez Robertson said the Tigers have the experience they need to take that step forward.
"I am expecting a lot out of our team this season since we have five veterans who know this league and what it takes to be winners,” Robertson said. “We need to improve our work ethic and try to get over the hump this year.
"We want to be described as a winner also. When you play hard things tend to happen and sometimes you win. We need to be a team that plays hard and wins at the same time."
Senior forward Korvotney Barber, who missed most of last season after suffering a broken hand, said the newcomers will also play a crucial role.
"We are looking forward to a real good season,” Barber said. “We have a lot of new faces, and all the new guys are really coachable. They all want to learn, and I think if everybody stays healthy we are going to have a real good season.
"I think that it is about time we make it to the postseason, especially with this being my last year. I am going to do whatever it takes to get this team to the postseason. I think that we have good players, but it seems that every year something happens with injuries. If one player causes distractions on the team, then it will hurt the whole team."
