GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- With the start of the season blowing in faster than the winter winds, the University of North Dakota men's and women's basketball teams hosted local media today at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Print, television and radio media members from across the region talked with head coaches Gene Roebuck and Brian Jones and UND student-athletes.

UND men

The Fighting Sioux men's basketball team is still two weeks away from its first game of the season, but Jones is excited about what he has seen since team practices commenced on Oct. 15.

"The summer workouts were extremely productive," Jones said. "This fall, (the team) challenged one another."

The fifth-year head coach of the Sioux discussed a number of topics, including the addition of a pair of points guards that he says will help solidify his squad and allow other players to move back to their natural positions. His team's improved fitness during the offseason was also a hot topic as his squad will be leaner and more athletic, allowing the Sioux to open up their offense and play a more up-tempo style of play.

Jones also mentioned the benefits of strong leadership that he sees his two senior captains providing as forward Chris Clausen (Adelaide, Australia) and center Derek Benter (Crosby, N.D.) embark on their finals seasons at UND.

"Our chemistry within this team is the best I've ever been around from a playing standpoint, and even a coaching standpoint," Jones said. "The guys truely care about one another."

He wrapped things up by discussing the 2010-11 schedule that will be the third in the team's journey into the Division I ranks. The Sioux will play 10 Division I home games at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center as well as renew a rivalry with in-state foe North Dakota State (Dec. 11). Tough road trips also await the Sioux at a pair of NCAA Tournament participants from a year ago (at Wisconsin, Nov. 16; and at Northern Iowa, Nov. 26).

UND women

The Fighting Sioux women's basketball team starts with two exhibition games next week on Monday and Friday. The Sioux have been practicing for a few weeks now, and Roebuck says things are coming together for the young team.

Much like last year, the Fighting Sioux have an extremely tough first half of the schedule with great Division I games at home and tough match-ups against some of the top teams on the road. Roebuck said the Sioux may face some adversity, but he wants to challenge the young team as it readies for the Great West Conference schedule.

"People can call me crazy, or our coaching staff crazy," Roebuck said. "But we want to play the best. If we're going to get to the next level, we've got to play teams and not be afraid of those teams."

The Sioux return two seniors in Mallory Youngblut and Corey Lof. Youngblut will be relied up for points earlier in the season, while Lof has athleticism and stamina.

UND adds a wealth of newcomers, as 10 sophomore and freshman. The Sioux will look to those young players, like Katie Houdek, who was redshirted last year and looks strong and confident. UND also added two junior college transfers in Charnise and Charnay Mothershed. Roebuck said that although three freshmen will redshirt this season, the class will lead UND for many years to come.

Some new faces and new places, but it should make for another fun year of Fighting Sioux basketball.