The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets’ defense during the 2019-20 campaign hovered near the bottom in the final national statistics, and an improvement in that area will be the key to a program turnaround, according to head coach Troy Drummond.

The Yellow Jackets, entering their 13th season under Drummond, tip off the season at 3 p.m. Saturday as they host American Southwest Conference rival Hardin-Simmons in a non-conference outing.

“Last year we were in the bottom 3 percent in the nation in defense and that can’t happen again,” said Drummond, who looks to guide HPU back to the ASC tournament for the first time since 2018. “That’s something we talked about and all we’ve been working on is defense. Honestly, we haven’t done a lot on offense. We’ll score enough points I hope, but we have to keep the other team from outscoring us. We’re really focusing in on defense.”

Key returnees include Jaylan Ballou, Tyrell Thompson, Luke Cox and Jacob Smith.

“Jaylan Ballou hasn’t played a full year in a long, long time so we’re hoping this is the year,” Drummond said. “He’s worked hard, he’s in shape, he’s practicing well, so we’re really hoping this will be his year. Tyrell Thompson is a senior who is practicing really well, a good athlete that’s playing with a purpose. It seems like a light switch has switched and he’s playing really hard. Luke Cox is another player that shoots the ball really well and has another year of experience. Jacob Smith was thrown into the fire as a freshman playing the point guard which he had never done before. We’ll have him more at the 2 guard where he’s more comfortable.”

Newcomers to watch include Reese Ridder and James Helzer.

“Reese Ridder is a freshman from Grand Prairie and is somebody that will really grow and do well,” Drummond said. “James Helzer is a transfer from the University of the Ozarks and he came here along with his brother Jacob who’s a freshman. He’s a little bit older, married, and brings a different maturity level. We’re excited about him.”

The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish sixth in the ASC West standings in the recently released preseason coaches and media poll. Mary Hardin-Baylor is the West favorite followed by Hardin-Simmons, Concordia, Sul Ross, McMurry and HPU. The top four teams advance to the conference tournament.

“Just like every year, it’s going to be a gunfight,” Drummond said. “Coach (Clif) Carroll from Sul Ross went to Mary Hardin-Baylor so they’ll be very good, Sul Ross should still be plenty good and Hardin-Simmons is going to be good. We’re still trying to fight through all those teams to get into the tournament.”

Coming off a 2-23 campaign and 1-15 conference mark, Drummond reiterated the key for the Yellow Jackets to reach the postseason this season.

“They’re going to have to commit to defense, that’s the bottom line,” Drummond said. “If they do that we’re going to give ourselves a chance. We have to play defense for 40 minutes and they have to understand that’s the way we’re going to stay in ball games and give ourselves a chance.”