Written by Tom Mieskoski

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Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters announced on Tuesday that the "five starters" returning will start today's exhibition game against John Carroll.

Jeremy Montgomery and Trey Harmon will start in the backcourt, Aaron Pogue at center with D'Aundray Brown and Tim Kamczyc at forward.

"They played the best and played well together," said Waters at Tuesday's media gathering.

Questionable: Redshirt freshmen guard Sebastian Douglas (knee) is questionable for today's exhibition game.

Douglas, who missed all of last season after knee surgery, "tweaked his knee" again in practice and didn't play in CSU's scrimmage against Buffalo Saturday.

Most improved: The most improved player in practice so far has been Kamczyc.

"He has improved in almost every phase," said Waters. "He knew we were going to bring in these quality freshmen and it didn't phase him at all. He worked harder this summer then he has ever worked in our program and I think it will pay dividends for him."

Recruiting update: CSU could sign "as many as four" during the early signing period which begins Wednesday.

According to various recruiting websites, CSU is expected to sign 6-8 forward Malik London (Chillicothe, Oh.), 6-3 shooting guard Bryn Forbes (Lansing, Mich.), 6-8 forward Darnell Harris (Milwaukee, Wisc.), and 6-3 forward Gary Akbar (Dayton).

The CSU women's basketball team plans to sign three.

CSU women's update: Kate Peteson Abiad's squad is a little banged up heading into their season opener against Tennessee State on Friday.

They could be without four starters in their home opener against the Tigers.

Janelle Adams (back), Destinee Blue (shoulder), and Shalonda Winton (ankle) are nursing injuries and are "day-to-day." And Honesty King is out for disciplinary reasons. She could return for the first road trip next week.

"The young kids have a great opportunity," said Peterson Abiad. "They need to step up and take advantage of this (opportunity)."