culture needs an injection along the

Stephen F. Austin lost seven players, including its top three scorers, from last seasons team that won 28 games, ran the table in the Southland Conference and beat No. 3 seed West Virginia in the NCAA tournament.Then the Lumberjacks lost their coach, Brad Underwood, the guy who lost a total of 14 games in his three seasons in Nacogdoches, Texas -- to Oklahoma State.First-year coach Kyle Keller has huge shoes to fill, but he doesnt want anyone feeling sorry for him even though hell take one of the youngest, least experienced teams into Rupp Arena on Friday to face yet another talented Kentucky squad (7 p.m. ET, SECN).This is a great job, Keller said. The best in America in a one-bid league.Kellers optimism is apparent, yet he also cautions Lumberjacks fans -- who have watched their program win 136 games over the past five years -- to be patient at the outset of this season.Itll be a process for us, Keller said. Its not fair to judge us in November and December. If we stay healthy, I wouldnt want to play us in February and March.Kellers top returning player is Ty Charles. Underwood was high on the 6-foot-5 guard, but Keller hasnt seen much because Charles has missed nearly the entire preseason with an ailing shoulder that he injured last season. Hes practiced two days thus far -- and is questionable for Fridays season opener.Josh Huntley, a 6-foot-7 junior college kid whom Keller calls his toughest, is in concussion protocol, and his status is also up in the air for Friday.But Keller isnt concerned about Kentucky. Hes focused on keeping the program at the level its been for the past few seasons: arguably the most successful true mid-major team.We dont expect anything less than championships and making the NCAA tournament, he said. We talk about winning the league and playing the second weekend in March. If you dont talk about it, they wont believe it can happen.Keller inherited Charles, but hes already proved he can bring talent to Nacogdoches. Hes from Dallas and has spent most of his time coaching in Texas and Oklahoma, both in the junior college and Division I ranks. Keller was the assistant coach primarily responsible for loading Texas A&M up with talent the past few years.Keller recently secured a commitment from 6-foot-7 junior college forward?Leon Gilmore, a former top-100 high school prospect, and he also raves about the potential of his freshmen duo of Aaron Augustin and Kevon Harris. But he also realizes they may be in over their heads on Friday.Aaron is a 5-foot-10 point guard who will play against?DeAaron Fox?in front of 24,000 [fans] at one of the most difficult places to play in the country, Keller said. Welcome to college basketball. I hate it for him.I know all the Kentucky freshmen, he added. Ive seen them all. They are so long, athletic and quick and can really beat you up.Stephen F. Austin, despite eight newcomers on the roster, still was picked to finish second in the Southland behind Sam Houston State. Both programs got a half-dozen first-place votes.Keller considers his job the best in the league largely because of support and stability. Keller said 3,000 fans came out for the Midnight Madness event last month despite it being held on a Friday night in the middle of football season in the state of Texas. His athletic director, Robert Hill, is an alumnus who has been in his current position for more than a decade, and the school president, Baker Pattillo, has been at the school since 1966.Weve got incredible support for our program, Keller said.And there is no shortage of talent in the vicinity. Keller can get to Houston in two hours and Dallas in 2.5 hours. Hes an hour away from Louisiana.But it will take time. Remember, Stephen F. Austin lost its season opener a year ago to Baylor 97-55 -- with Thomas Walkup, Demetrious Floyd and Clide Geffrard. But the Lumberjacks still wound up rolling through their league and getting back to the NCAA tournament for the third straight year.Keller returned just 17.7 percent of last years offensive production and may be without his top returning player. His team is so inexperienced that one player didnt even realize he had to check in at the scorers table in the teams exhibition game last week.You cant coach experience, Keller said. Weve got to teach everything -- from A to Z. So dont judge us on who we are against Kentucky. Judge us on who we are on Valentines Day.Carli Lloyd USA Jersey . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Kelley OHara USA Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.officialsocceruswntshop.com/ .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. Tobin Heath Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Casey Short USA Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position.Not sure if growing up in Rosario is similar to wet and windy Manchester, but Hernán Bernardello did not put a foot wrong in what was an imposing debut in an Impact shirt for the 27-year old Argentine. His performance (with almighty weather for the Stade Saputo backdrop Wednesday evening) was one that anyone would associate with the rainforest. It was a virtuoso man of the match performance if ever there was one - as 2008-2009s Cinderella team kicked off its 2013-14 tilt in the Champions League. A passing and checking clinic from Bernardello that the likes of Lou Lamoriello could only dream of. However, it was the shade over 15,000 fans –sitting through the rain-lashed uncovered Impact terraces - I was most impressed with. A raucous atmosphere it was, their sole and most united response as the rain made its appearance in sheets for an extended period. On a far smaller scale, I defy anyone not to compare that extraordinary Stade Saputo atmosphere to a rain-sodden Barclays Premier League evening at Old Trafford. Ive been blessed to witness first-hand the might and majesty of Liverpool supporters celebrating victorious at a European Cup Final. Take a bow, UM02. Ultras Montréal, formed in 2002 are the Impacts original supporter group. Not always on the same page with the club, they are still the most loyal, standing by through thick and thin. On Wednesday, with each and every member seemingly soaked through to the skin, they reached a new higher ground. "The rain has never stopped us before and it certainly would not stop us for such an important game," UM02s apokesperson told TSN.ca the morning after. "The rain always brings a special feeling in the kop, it seems to energize people when they see that the ultras will not give up and keep going 100 per cent." The Ultras have wonderfully spawned superb new supporter groups at Saputo. Whats that they say about imitation and flattery? With the absence of significant travelling supporters making the journey to Montreal - save for Toronto FC - the combined banter that the Impact supporter groups provided added terrific value to the overall Stade Saputo experience on a given match day. The proof of this was in the startled reaction of the casual Saputo visitors Wednesday night. That, alongside the supporter groups in the West and South stand terraces or tucked away in a corporate loge (The Prawn Sandwich Brigade, as legendary Manchester United captain Roy Keane so eloquently described them once).As events on the terraces unfolded Wednesday, I couldnt help but think back and affectionately reminisce about the Impacts previous Champions League campaign. Specifically, the final group stage home game against CD Olimpia played in late October 2008. The 1-1 draw ensured the Impact safely emerged from the group with a game to spare but it was the weather that I wont forget. Nor the fantastic atmosphere generated on what should have been an invigorating fall evening. Now growing up in England, Ive witnessed some shocking blustery-type weather. But this was all together on a completely different level. Goal kicks into the wind seemed to cough up negative yardage and fool you for any attempted back passes. This, though, was the calm after the storm that was the inaugural game played at Saputo back on Victoria Day of 2008.dddddddddddd The Whitecaps were the opponent that particular Monday afternoon, and with the Impact provoking for the move into MLS, commissioner Garber was in attendance. For the Ultras, this is all part of the legacy they have carved out over their time. "Weve had memorable rain episodes in the past," said their spokesperson. "Most notably in the playoffs at Centre Claude-Robillard in 2006 I think, where it was just us and a few brave souls that decided to stay and join us, which made the kop instantly grow to over 125 people, which was huge and never seen at the time. "Then the opening game at Saputo in 2008, which was the worst and something we hope to never have to go through ever again. We still have nightmares about that one. For sure, the rain is much more fun in July or August than in April or October but whatever the weather, we keep on giving our all." Anyone who has witnessed it can certainly testify - UM02 most certainly do - it did in buckets Wednesday. Someone who was there for that maiden Impact voyage in the Champions League - and now finds himself on the bench as Schällibaums right hand man - is Mauro Biello. Wednesdays atmosphere was not lost on the only player in the Impacts 20-year history to have his shirt retired. "It was a great atmosphere last night," he said. "I remember back in 2008 during the qualifying rounds of Champions League, even though the crowds were smaller, they were loud and supportive. But last night was extra special because despite the pouring rain, no one left their seats and they were in the game." Biello aptly concluding, "Thats a sign of some passionate supporters. They are starting to get into the CONCACAF Champions League a little more and their support definitely helped us win the game." Earlier this season, MLS Commissioner Don Garber was on the record as stating MLS will be amongst the top 10 leagues in world football within the decade. To make this a reality, not only do we need to see vast improvements on the pitch, a greater consistency with our officials and an erosion of the single entity structure, but our football culture needs an injection along the same vein as the financial doping (thanks, Arsene) that permeates certain parts of European club football. An international brand and pedigree attached to the CONCACAF Champions League (and if we factor in that back in 1955 UEFA created the European Cup for one sole purpose) and staging an annual continental club competition that would be played in midweek under floodlights. Following Wednesdays spectacle at Saputo, we might finally be onto something. Hopefully, as the Impact look to break out of their current single MLS victory in seven-deepening malaise, long-time Impact equipment manager Aldo Ricci arranged for his staff to bottle Wednesday evenings atmosphere and pack it on board the their charter. Destination Chicago for Saturday evenings rather critical Eastern Conference encounter. You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter ' ' '