It was a reasonably-sized crowd at the annual IPFW basketball tipoff luncheon today at the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott.

Fans and boosters were greeted by cheerleaders and the Mastodon mascot, who, later in the fete, had a difficult time trying to eat his/her/its lunch through the costume.

Women's coach Chris Paul spoke briefly about this coming season and fielded questions, then had his entire team come forth as each one introduced herself.

"Everybody gets to hear what I have to say, but you guys don't get the opportunity to see the type of people and student-athletes that we have here," Paul said. "With a captive audience here - and I was told this was my show - so this is what we're going to do."

When it was time for second-year men's coach Tony Jasick to speak and answer questions, he brought up seniors Frank Gaines and Mario Hines.

"We are going to do a lot more imposing of our will, of our style of play, on the defensive end than you've seen in the past," Jasick said.

"Now, offensively, we could have you scratch your head for a while. ... On the defensive end, you're going to see some plays that make you go `wow,' then you're going to see some plays that make you go, `wow.'

The men play an exhibition against Alma on Monday at Memorial Coliseum, and the women will open their season at home Nov. 11 against Southern Illinois Edwardsville.