RUSTON ? With seven new faces on the roster, Louisiana Tech opened fall workouts Saturday morning at the Thomas Assembly Center on the newly-installed Karl Malone Court.

Head coach Chris Long said that despite having so many young players who hadn?t been through a full practice in college, he was pleased with what he saw.

?It was really good,? Long said. ?We had some intensity to us. There were a few jitters and we have a long way to go as far as conditioning. I saw some bright spots, and I thought the kids got after it. We have a long ways to go in a short time though. However, I was pleased with what I saw today.?

Long put his team through a two-hour workout. Gone are all five starters from last year?s team as only six letter winners return, including only one player from Tech?s last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.

The third-year head coach said that having such an inexperienced group really didn?t affect the session too much.

?It takes a little longer to set up a drill,? Long said. ?As far as sharpness though, I was really pleased especially considering we have seven new players. There?s no doubt we have a lot of teaching to do. It?ll take a few practices for the kids to fully understand what we want from drill to drill. I loved the attitude today though.?

In addition to the practice being the first of the year for the Techsters, it was also the team?s first time on the newly-installed, state-of-the-art Karl Malone Court.

?It?s a beautiful court,? Long said. ?Everyone was very excited to get on there. This floor is so forgiving on your legs. We are so appreciative of the generosity of Karl to make this new floor a reality.?

Tech opens the regular season Nov. 20 at Western Kentucky.