NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University men's basketball squad, receiving votes in the national preseason poll, will open their season tonight as a part of the Beck Company Classic. The tip-off tournament will feature Mary Washington, Lynchburg and St. John Fisher with games played at 5:30 and 7:30 both Friday and Saturday night.

Tonight's first game will feature the UMW Eagles vs. St. John Fisher at 5:30 pm, followed up by a 7:30 tilt between the Captains and Lynchburg. On Saturday, Mary Washington will face Lynchburg at 5:30, followed by CNU and St. John Fisher at 7:30.

CNU will open a new era as first-year head coach John Krikorian will be on the sidelines for his first game at the Freeman Center. The Captains will return its two leading scorers from last season in Conley Taylor (13.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Mike Green (11.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg). CNU went 15-13 last season and won the USA South Tournament to earn an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Lynchburg opened their season earlier this week with a road loss to Ferrum, 74-46. The Hornets were led by sophomore Austin Chillemi with 10 points. In just his second year, head coach Hilliary Scott saw a +8 turnaround in the win column, going from 4-22 in his first season to 12-15 last year.

St. John Fisher is receiving votes in the d3hoop.com preseason poll and will be opening their season at the Beck Company Classic. The Cardinals feature a deep veteran group that was picked to win the Empire 8 conference. Last season, St. John Fisher went 23-6 en route to a regular season conference championship.

Mary Washington will also be playing in their first games of the season this weekend, after going 9-15 a year ago. Brandon Altman led the team last season by averaging a double-double, with 19.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. With his departure, the leading returners will be Ryan Farrar (6.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Qaiser Ahmed (6.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg).