Contributing Writer Alston Geers: 
 
Hot Springs, Arkansas:
 
The Men's Basketball team is ready to kick-off the 2021-22 season when they travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas to face Randall University Friday in the first of two games in the 2021 Champion Christian Classic. 

The Pioneers will open their season this year with NCCAA opponents Randall University and Champion Christian College. 

Randall will be a tough opponent for the Pioneers as they start the year. Last year the Saints finished third in the country but went into the tournament as the number one seed. 
Randall won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018 and haven't finished lower than 5^th since then. 

However, The Pioneers who have a slew of upper classmen this season are up to the task this weekend. This is the first step in the Pioneers Road to Joplin, MO March 10^th-12^th. 
The Pioneers will return 10 players this year the most since the program has begun. 

The first home game for the Pioneers will be Monday, November 8 at 7 PM against NAIA River States and NCCAA opponent Oakland City University.