Vermillion, S.D. - A healthy group of media and fans gathered to meet The University of South Dakota men's and women's basketball teams at Media Day on Thursday at the Muenster University Center.

Local newspapers, radio stations and television stations heard Head Women's Coach Ryun Williams and Head Men's Coach Dave Boots address the crowd and take questions, while men's players Tyler Cain (Rochester, Minn.), Louie Krogman (White River, S.D.), Roman Gentry (Sioux City, Iowa) and Steve Smith (Sioux Falls, S.D.) also fielded one-on-one interviews.

The Coyote men open their 2009-10 season at the Duel in the Desert Classic on Nov. 13-15 in Lubbock, Texas. USD squares off with host Texas Tech at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13, before battling Oregon State at 8 p.m. the following day. South Dakota wraps up the tournament against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 1 p.m. on Nov. 15. The Coyotes open the home portion of their schedule against Mayville State on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the DakotaDome.

Meanwhile, the Coyote women battle Winona State in an exhibition contest at Cimpl Arena in Yankton on Wednesday at 7 p.m. USD begins the regular season on Nov. 15 against Wisconsin-Green Bay at 3 p.m. in the Sioux Falls Arena.

Below are select quotes from Williams and Boots.

Head Women's Coach Ryun Williams "We're excited about what could take place. We've got some nice leadership back this season. Plus, with our new girls, it's nice to have a few more weapons. We have some fun games on our schedule, so they're going to be some nice balance in there."

Head Men's Coach Dave Boots "Our strengths and weaknesses will come out once we start playing games. We'll have to be quick learners this season. Our immediate goal is to put together a winning season. We're looking forward to it and we're ready to go."