The Valdosta State men’s basketball team has posted at least 20 wins in every season since 2008.

For the Blazers to reach that mark this season, they have some work to do.

In order to claim another 20-plus win season under head coach Mike Helfer, VSU must win 12 of their final 16 regular season games.

Tonight, the Blazers will look to take a huge step in accomplishing that feat when they open Gulf South Conference play by welcoming the Delta State Statesmen to the P.E. Complex.

“We are excited to open conference play in front of our fans, who have been a major help to us, not just this year but over the years,” Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer said. “I think this has become an event that people to enjoy to come and see and we appreciate their support.”

VSU enters tonight’s contest with a 6-4 mark, ending the 2011 calendar year with back-to-back victories over Florida Memorial and Fort Valley State. As for the Statesmen, they enter tonight’s meeting with the Blazers with a 4-5 record (1-3 on the road).

Tonight’s meeting will mark the fifth time since 2008 the two teams have met, with VSU claiming a victory in all four previous meetings.

“I think for us, we just have to focus on getting better,” Helfer said. “We are not where we need to be yet. The season is moving quickly, but we have some time. We need to continue to try and get better. We have some weaknesses, but we are going to try correct those and turn those into strengths and if we can do that we have a chance to be a good basketball team.”

Last year, Valdosta State managed a late come-from-behind victory over the Statesmen, pulling out a 68-67 victory in Cleveland, Miss. The two teams met again in the GSC Tournament, a game VSU won 85-80.

“I think every kid that plays in the Gulf South Conference, they all know how physical this league it and how tough it is to have success in this league,” Helfer said about the overall physical play in the conference.

Valdosta State could have an advantage heading into tonight’s game, as graduate assistant coach Chad Akins was once a guard for the Statesmen.

“I think Chad is just a good basketball guy and he knows how to play the game,” Helfer said when asked about the impact Akins could have on the game. “He knows what it takes to play at this level and I think that has helped our program, more than ‘does he know anything about Delta?’ It is a new year for Delta State, so we are just kind of focused on us.”

Following tonight’s contest with Delta State, the Blazers will face Christian Brothers University on Saturday night at The Complex. The Buccaneers enter tonight’s meeting with West Florida with a 9-2 record and winners of their last five games. Both of CBU’s losses on the season have come against ranked opponents.

Led by the play of Zach Warner, who averages 16.9 points per contest, and Scott Dennis (15.2 ppg and 9.1 rebounds per game), the Buccaneers are averaging 73.2 points per game, while holding opposing teams to just 62.5 points.

Along with tough inside play, the Bucs are also shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.

As for the Blazers, five players average double-digit scoring per game, although Helfer said he does not believe VSU has found a go-to player.

“I don’t think we have a proven go-to guy at the end yet,” Helfer said. “We have a lot of guys who are very capable of getting stuff done at the end of games. You might do it on a game-to-game basis.”

Helfer did give credit to point guard Michael Panaggio, who leads VSU in scoring with 14.7 points per contest. Panaggio also leads the team with 31 assist.

“Michael Panaggio is one of the smartest kids that I have ever coached, in terms of the game of basketball,” Helfer said. “He really understands it and he understands what it takes to play. He has been an awesome asset to our program.”