LUBBOCK, Texas – Ahead of his first game as a collegiate head basketball coach, Corey Gipson established a culture of brotherhood and love.
 
That said, the Northwestern State men's basketball team also has a love for competition that finally will be displayed Monday night at 8 p.m. when the Demons tip off the 2022-23 season at No. 24/25 Texas Tech.
 
The game will air on ESPN+ with free streaming audio available on www.NSUDemons.com and the Northwestern State athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for Apple and Android devices.
 
"These guys have really prepared well," Gipson said. "They've been intentional about their business. I know they're looking forward – and the staff is looking forward – to being able to display the fruits of their labor.
 
"We've got the right guys. We've got guys we're not afraid to go to war with. We've got foxhole guys. The brotherhood's intact. The unity is intact. We're looking forward to remaining constant in who we are and continuing to evolve over the year."
 
The Demons evolved their roster following a 2021-22 season in which NSU posted a 9-23 record.
 
Northwestern State brought in 11 newcomers, blending them with a trio of returners – guards Jovan Zelenbaba and Emaryeon McDonald and guard/forward Cedric Garrett.
 
Regardless of stature or standing, the Demons are – to a man – eager to face someone not wearing a purple and white jersey.
 
"The know all my moves, and I know all their moves," Garrett said of his teammates. "I'm ready to play somebody else."
 
Garrett was in the shoes of his 11 new teammates a year ago, preparing to play his first Division I game. Of Northwestern State's newcomer group this year, however, five have previous Division I experience.
 
The quintet of Ja'Monta Black (Missouri State), Isaac Haney (Missouri State), Demarcus Sharp (Missouri State), Majok Kuath (San Jose State) and Jordan Wilmore (Missouri) own 174 games of D-I experience.
 
Facing a Power Five opponent like Texas Tech (27-10 in 2021-22) is nothing new for that group of five.
 
"Just keep our composure and work on what we've worked for," Black said of how the Demons need to approach their second season opener at United Supermarket Arena in the past three seasons. "It's nothing new. It's just a place we're going to play. There will be a lot of fans, but if we stick to our fundamentals, we're going to be fine."
 
The Red Raiders are one of three Big 12 opponents on Northwestern State's schedule and one of four Power Five foes. NSU also will face the Big 12's TCU on Nov. 14 and Baylor on Dec. 20 and Texas A&M of the Southeastern Conference on Dec. 27.
 
As the Demons approach the opening game of the Gipson era, however, the focus is an inward one.
 
"We're our own biggest challenge," Gipson said. "That's one thing we try to keep in perspective. We don't worry about the opponent as much as ourselves. We know what we have ahead of us – that's to remain intact, keep our brotherhood intact and have the unconditional love that we want throughout the year."