ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State men's basketball team will get an jump start on the 2013-14 season, head coach Murray Garvin announced the Bulldogs will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, Aug 8-13, to participate in exhibition competitions against Caribbean National Teams.

SC State looking to vie for their (MEAC) Mid-Eastern Athletic basketball championship since 2003 will add five newcomers to the roster this upcoming season.

The Bulldogs return four starters from last year's squad that snapped a 25-game losing streak in a 72-70 victory over conference rival N.C. A&T in February. SC State will be without four-year starter and lone senior point guard Khalif Toombs. Head coach Murray Garvin welcomes the five newcomers to add to the eight returners for the upcoming season.

"It's a great opportunity for a team to compete together in early fall, "said Garvin. " We will benefit from this during the season."

Majority of the team has already arrived and was enrolled in the second session of summer school to begin individual workouts July 1. The team begins practice in August (Aug.1-7) and will continue until the team leaves for the Bahamas, which are the maximum practices allowed (10 days) by the NCAA before the season.