By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Against any other team, the Tigers' game plan would likely include throwing the ball inside to the two new big men on the Fort Hays State University men's basketball squad.

But the University of Kansas is unlike any other team the NCAA Division II Tigers will face this season.

Fort Hays will open the 2009-10 season Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence with an exhibition game against Kansas, the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Division I. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

"Practice has been good," Tiger coach Mark Johnson said. "Don't know if we're ready for a game yet."

The Tigers normally don't have an exhibition game this early.

"We don't have all of our stuff in yet," Johnson said, naming press offense, press defense and zone offense as some of the areas still needing attention.

"We do have our basic defense, main offense," Johnson said.

How to approach the game against the No. 1 team in the land is another thing Johnson had to ponder.

"That's the question," Johnson said. "Do you spend a week preparing for KU, or spend a week preparing for your season?

"We'll spend a day or two worrying about Kansas," he added.

Normally, the Tigers' two junior transfers in the paint -- 6-foot-9 Ken Bowman and 6-8 Dijon Smith, would use their size to their advantage.

But KU has 6-11 junior center Cole Aldrich, along with senior point guard Sherron Collins.

Against the Jayhawks, it might be more offense coming from the backcourt, which is unsettled after Fort Hays lost both starters off last year's 20-9 team.

"Guard play still a little bit of a question for us, who plays what position," Johnson said.

The Tigers do have back one guard in the team's three-guard offense Fort Hays used last season in 6-4 junior Corbin Kuntzsch. Fort Hays also returns two starters up front in 6-6 senior forwards Tim Peintner and Ryan Herrman.

Even though the game affects the team's normal preparation for the regular-season opener at home against Sterling College on Nov. 10, it's still the Jayhawks.

"Kids are looking forward to playing them," Johnson said.

"Excited every time you get a chance to play Kansas."

FHSU women at K-State

The Fort Hays women's basketball team also is in exhibition action on Tuesday, in Manhattan against Kansas State University. Game time is 7 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.

The Tigers finished 12-16 last season in Tony Hobson's first year as coach. They return 6-1 senior forward Erica Biel, who averaged a double-double last season, and senior 3-point shooter Naomi Bancroft.

Fort Hays absorbed a blow in preseason when projected starting point guard Jacie Hoyt -- a junior transfer from Wichita State University -- suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Kansas State returns 6-2 senior forward Ashley Sweat off last year's 25-8 team that made the NCAA tournament.