The Kentucky State University men's basketball team will have a mix of returners and newcomers as the Thorobreds look to improve upon a third-place West Division finish a season ago.

KSU returns six players, three of which averaged double-figures, and has eight newcomers. Of the eight additions, only one comes straight out of high school.

"We have a strong group of returning players, along with a group of newcomers who should fit in nicely," said Kentucky State University head coach Jamaal Jackson. "We've had some competitive practices, and I think that our depth will be a strength."

Of the trio of double-digit scoring threats, senior Ditalion Battle (Cincinnati, OH) leads the way after dropping in 15.8 points a season ago. Battle missed the first part of the season before being an additional scoring threat in the last 14 games of the season.

The 6-2 guard averaged 9.5 three-point attempts last season as 68 percent of his shots came from beyond the arc. He shot 40-of-133 (30 percent) from three-point range.

"He returned and had some pretty good games," said Jackson. "He was able to help us by stretching the floor. It's very difficult to return from an injury midseason as he did, but he made the most of it."

Seniors Kevin Hayes (Detroit, MI) and Austin Sherrell (Detroit, MI) also averaged double figures with 12.9 and 10.7 points, respectively. Sherrell only played in 13 games, while Hayes played in 18 games for the Thorobreds.

Injuries were such a big part of last season as only two players played in all 27 games.

"We would love to avoid injury altogether, as would every other team in the country, but that is something that is out of our control," said Jackson. "Multiple injuries definitely hurt us last season, and we hope to escape that this year."

While Kentucky State is returning three players that have averaged double figures, Jackson believes the 'Breds have a plethora of scoring options. On any given night, the Thorobreds have an offense that could have at least four players reach at least 10 points.

"We have multiple guys who can score at a high clip," said Jackson. "We like to spread the floor and make it difficult for our opponent to key in on any single player. With the group that we have, we'll have different high scorers each night. When that happens, that means that we're moving the ball and making the extra pass. I hope to not have to play anyone more than 30 minutes a night."

Scoring wasn't a problem for the Thorobreds last season as Kentucky State was second in the SIAC in offensive output, Kentucky State ranked last in points allowed and 11th of 14 teams in scoring margin. Securing the defensive rebounds were part of the problem as KSU was last in rebounding margin, however, Jackson believes this year's team will be better on the glass.

"Rebounding is all about effort, and we have a group that gives effort and gets after it on the glass," said Jackson. "That will help us this season."

Kentucky State starts the 2018-19 campaign 4 p.m. today with a non-conference game at Kentucky Wesleyan.