Coming off a 4-3 loss to Texas Christian University, the men’s tennis team has been preparing for its upcoming matches against Furman and Troy on Feb. 11. The men enter this weekend with one win and three losses.

During their first four matches, the Crimson Tide compiled a 1-3 record and kept the losses close with the exception of a 4-0 loss at UCLA on Jan. 28. Alabama’s other two losses this season, Northwestern and TCU, ended with a final score of 4-3. Their lone win thus far came against UC Irvine, whom the Tide beat 4-1.

Furman enters its match with a 0-4 record. Three of Furman’s losses have come in shutout fashion against Wake Forest, South Alabama and Florida State. The single match in which Furman was able to score a point was against the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Jan. 21, when Furman lost 4-1.

Alabama head coach Billy Pate said he is not overlooking Furman despite the early season struggles.

“They’ll be good,” Pate said. “They had a good coach retire recently and [they] are going through some changes.”

The Tide will also face Troy on Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. Both of the Trojans’ losses were 7-0 shutouts on the road to No. 44 Florida State and No. 21 Auburn.

Alabama’s 1-3 record going into this weekend’s matches could be a misrepresentation of the Tide’s abilities.

“Of course, we would have anticipated a better record,” Pate said. “But we’ve played quality opponents so far.”

When it came to Troy, Pate did not put too much stress on the Trojans’ 0-2 record.

“They are a pretty good team and we know them well,” Pate said. “They have faced quality opponents in Florida State and Auburn.”

Pate said that he expects to see some good matches this upcoming weekend and hopes to experiment with his team.

“I expect to put different guys out there,” Pates said. “Some guys will have good matches.”

While Pate compared wins to basketball, stressing the importance of playing quality opponents, he still pushes the need to win.

“You want to be successful,” Pate said. “We need to get some wins as well.”

Pate said that he is not sure whether they will play the matches outdoors or in the new indoor tennis facility yet.

“We’re seeing what the weather will be like,” Pate said. “If it is going to be as nice as it has been, we could play outside.”

After the upcoming doubleheader, Alabama will participate in the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic beginning on Feb. 24.