ALBANY, GA -- Albany State basketball begins the 2012 campaign with a tune up in Tallahassee. While only an exhibition against Florida A&M, there's more on the line than just preseason notes.

ASU defeated the Rattlers in an exhibition situation last year which is only adding to Thursday's intrigue.

There have been some changes to the 2012 Golden Rams. Making adjustments to an up tempo offense, eight new players have been added to the ASU roster.

Throwing them in to the fire quickly is the best plan for head coach Chris Cameron.

“We know it's going to be a competitive game, we've been playing them for a few years now. With us winning down there last year, it's going to bring some intensity to the rivalry,” Cameron said. “It'll be a good opener for us, so we can measure ourselves to see where we are and what we need to come back and work on.”

The Golden Rams will finish the preseason schedule with Georgia State Sunday. In two weeks, ASU officially opens the season in against Georgia Southwestern State.