The excitement could be felt throughout the MassMutual Center as the Springfield Armor started their first season Friday night.

It's a season they hope will continue to bring down families and fans to possibly see future NBA players.

Melvin Coleman, from Springfield, says, "I love basketball and I'm excited to have a new team in Springfield."

Coleman came here with his family to see the future of Springfield basketball and possibly the future of the NBA.

Coleman says, "They're going to be a feeder team for the Knicks, the Nets and Philadelphia and it's going to be good to see prospects and see them one day playing in the NBA."

Which is a very real possibility.

Dan Reed, President, NBA Development League, says "One in five started their games in NBA Development Leagues and one in five in this league will play in the NBA within the year."

To make sure fans see them play here first, people streamed in by the hundreds with tickets in hand to cheer on their home team. And that means the Armor is already coming out on top.

Reed say, "The Armor has done very well. They're in the top three of our season ticket sales."

Kristina Scott from Springfield brought her son to see the game. She says, "We haven't had it before so I thought it would be nice and have him experience it."

Jeff Fowles, from South Hadley, says, "My son has been interested in basketball and sports in general so I think it would be a good idea to spend it with him and bring him down and see what's it all about."

What did his son Ethan expect to see?

Ethan Fowles, who is seven years old, says, "A lot of score and different moves."

He did and so did the other fans who packed the MassMutual Center.

The next game is Saturday at the MassMutual Center at noon against the Iowa Energy. Where they'll have a chance settle the score. The Armor did not win on Friday, the score was 106 to 73.