The wait is over: Binghamton University basketball begins Thursday night.

The Bearcat women’s basketball team will square off against Division II foe Le Moyne in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. at the Events Center.

The game will be the first of two exhibition games. The Bearcats will host Division II St. Rose next Tuesday before heading West to Portland State to face the Vikings in the regular season opener.

The exhibition games will be the first chance for fans to see a team that expects big things this season.

‘We’re excited for another great Bearcat basketball year,’ said head coach Rich Conover. ‘I think the women’s team has a chance to do very well this year; there’s a lot of great senior leadership.’

The senior leadership will be on display, as senior centers Juta Jahilo and Laine Kurpniece, forward Brianna Thompson and guard Laura Sario all expect to play significant roles.

‘It’s a great senior group. They’re all in great shape,’ Conover said. ‘They all have a sense of urgency. They understand this team.’

Like their coach, the players are excited to get back on the court.

‘We’ve started off really strong,’ said Thompson, who averaged 9.2 points per game last season. ‘We had a good preseason. We’re ready for everybody and anything anybody can throw at us.’

With Sario, Kurpniece and Thompson returning as the team’s three top scorers from last season, the front court should be set. Thursday will, however, be a chance to check out the Bearcat point guard situation, which will be very different.

Rebecka Lindgren and Shea Kenny, staples at the point over the past two seasons, are out. In is sophomore Muffy Sadler who battled injuries last season, and freshman Jackie Ward from Pittsford, New York. Both should see significant minutes.

‘That’s a huge spot to fill,’ Sario said regarding the point guards. ‘They have done a good job in the preseason and I feel like everybody is ready.’

Despite Le Moyne’s division II label, the Bearcats know they cannot take the Dolphins lightly. Last season the Bearcats won 65-55 at the Events Center in a game which saw Le Moyne get within two points with four minutes remaining.

This year the Bearcats don’t expect to take any opponent lightly, regardless of division. Even early in the season the Bearcats look focused only on winning.

‘We’ve got as good of a chance as anybody this season,’ Conover said.