The college basketball season is still more than 100 days away but its never too soon for Penguin hoops.

First year head coach Ethan Faulkner has hit the ground running since taking over for Jerrod Calhoun and it continues in the summer.

"Our competitiveness has been really good,  "said Faulkner who was an assistant under Calhoun for seven seasons.

"Like everyone else in the country we have a lot of things to clean up but we're happy with the progress we've made."

Per NCAA rules teams are allowed four hours of practice during the summer and eight total hours including weight room.

The Penguins return three players who played significantly last season in Gabe Dynes, Iman Zorgvol and EJ Farmer.

Faulkner expects those three to be the leaders and help with the younger players.

"I think the summer is about trying to get better and getting a foundation in place and what you want your culture to look like," said Faulkner following his teams practice in Stambaugh Stadium as renovations to Beeghly Center continue.

Following a couple of more weeks of workouts they'll get a break before fall practice begins.

"We've really practiced a lot and I think for the summer we're doing quite a bit. We want to make sure we know what we want this thing to look like in terms of offense and defense."