2003.

That's the last time the Sam Houston State Bearkats went to the NCAA tournament. Seven years later and a whole new team, they're going back to the big dance.

For one player, it's a homecoming.

The sounds of hard work echo around them. The Bearkats have practiced at Johnson Coliseum a thousand times. Squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs create a soundtrack that the Bearkats move to.

This practice is important, though. Especially for the guy wearing number one.

"Different emotions," explains Ashton Mitchell, senior guard for the Bearkats. "We're kind of trying to prepare for Baylor and at the same time going back to my home town."

Ashton Mitchell was born and raised in New Orleans. When his family left before Hurricane Katrina, he never thought he'd play basketball in his home town again.

"Nah, I thought it was done. Especially when I finished my senior year in Austin," says Mitchell.

Now, he's finishing his senior year at Sam Houston State playing in the NCAA tournament in his hometown.

"To finally get it my senior year, I mean, I wouldn't want to go out any better way."

Among other astonishing records, Ashton and his teammate Corey Allmond make up the most scoring back court duo in Sam Houston's 23 years in Division one basketball. Head Coach Bob Marlin keeps his team driven and focused, but grateful for the chance to play.

The team's motto is "respect everyone but fear no one."

"That's how we look at each opponent, whether it's a Division 3 school to Kentucky this year. We played a few big schools this year," says Mitchell. "We're going to go in and play our best basketball and hopefully we can come out with a win."

There will be one familiar face staring back at Ashton during the first round game. His childhood friend Tweety Carter plays for Baylor.

"It's going to be different. We haven't played against each other since we were real small."

When asked if he would talk to Carter while in New Orleans?

"Maybe after the game. I don't want to talk to him yet," laughs Mitchell.

From all the media attention Ashton and Sam Houston State is getting, this is likely to be a game neither will forget.

The Bearkats tip off against the Baylor Bears Thursday afternoon at 1:45 p.m.

You can see that game in high definition, in it's entirety, on KBTX.