GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The 14^th ranked University of Providence men's basketball team will begin their season on Monday with a trip down to Butte to face off against Montana Tech. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.

The Argos are one of two teams in the Frontier Conference that haven't played a game yet this season – Rocky Mountain College is the other. When the game tips off on Monday, it will be over 300 days since the Argos last played a game.

"They're hungry and anxious to go play a game," head coach Steve Keller said. "You can tell the guys are super excited for the opportunity to compete. Practice has been going great."

The Argos returned to Great Falls in mid-December to begin practice. The Orediggers, on the other hand, have had five games under their belt. They lost two non-conference games to start the season, but have responded with three conference wins against Carroll and Montana Western. Keller expects a tough matchup. 

"They want to control the tempo," he said. "They're very good defensively. It's a tough game to start out. They've gotten a couple games under their belt already. It'll be our first game so I'm sure we'll have some nerves."

The coaching staff has had many conversations about being prepared for an unusual season. Besides scheduling differences, Keller has talked to the team about being able to adapt quickly to any situation that arises. He's been proud of his team's commitment to the health and safety regulations so far since the team has been on campus.

"They've done a really good job of following the protocols so far," Keller said. "They're encouraged to keep that going right now because we have an opportunity to play some games. A lot of teams don't get that opportunity. We talk a lot about practicing every day like it might be your last, because it could be."

Even though it's going to be an unusual season, the Argos enter the season with high expectations, having been picked to win the Frontier Conference, narrowly edging out rival Carroll. The Argos return four starters from last season's team, who finished 24-8 last season. The Argos earned a 4-seed in the NAIA National Tournament before the season was canceled.

"They're obviously disappointed about not being able to compete at the National Tournament last season," Keller said. "Then they had to sit in limbo and not know if they were going to play or not. They're ready to go play. They're really excited."

The Argos will lean heavily on returning All-American and Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year Zaccheus Darko-Kelly. The 6'7 senior lead the team in every statistical category, averaging 22.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, and 5.7 apg while shooting 52% from the floor and 43% from beyond the arc. He was the first player in NAIA history to win NAIA National Player of the Week three weeks in a row. Junior Jaxen Hashley, senior Rashee Stocks and sophomore Dawson Fowler also plan on giving significant minutes for the Argos.

"We expect a lot from our returners," Keller said. They're definitely going to lead us. All of our players that played last year have improved.  We've added some really good players to our roster that are blending in. I really like the makeup of our team right now as long as we stay rested and healthy."