GETTING INSIDE

There is reason for optimism as honors candidates Benny Valentine and Brandon Moore are among five lettermen who return.

Valentine was selected second-team all-Big Sky a year ago after transferring from Texas Tech. He averaged 15.1 points per game, which ranked third in the league, and also ranked among the conference leaders in assists (3.07 average) and steals (1.47).

Moore is a 6-9, 260-pounder who uses that wide body to his advantage. He averaged 6.8 rebounds per game last season, which ranked second in the league. Moore is a reliable performer who started 29 of Eastern Washington's 30 games last year and scored in double digits 19 times while averaging 11.2 per game.

The Eagles were 12-18 last season and this is Year Three of the Kirk Earlywine era, so improvement would seem to be expected. Eastern Washington has failed to make the Big Sky tournament so far under Earlywine. Anything less this season would be a disappointment.

Last year's team was built on its backcourt stars, but it didn't work.

Eastern Washington finished near the bottom of the league in such key statistical categories as scoring offense (eighth), field goal percentage (seventh) and three-point field goal percentage (eighth).

Earlywine recruited three junior college transfers in hopes of beefing up the roster.

NOTES, QUOTES

--At times last season, C Brandon Moore was one of the league's best players. In the season finale against Portland State, for example, Moore had 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Eagles have lacked a consistent inside game for several years and need Moore to stay healthy this season.

--F Mark Dunn may be asked to play a larger role. He shot 49 percent from the field and averaged 5.6 points a year ago. He is one of five seniors on the roster and, with 24 starts under his belt a year ago, has kind of experience necessary to provide help for Moore on the front line.

--The Eagles have failed to qualify for the Big Sky tournament the last three seasons. Eastern Washington has been a member of the league for 22 years and made only one trip to the league tournament in their first 10 seasons. The program then qualified nine consecutive times for the postseason.

LAST YEAR: 12-18 overall, 6-10 in the Big Sky.

HEAD COACH: Kirk Earlywine (career 44-44); third year at Eastern Washington (23-37).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Somehow, somewhere, an alien invaded his body for two months and I think we got the real Brandon Moore back tonight. Hopefully we'll have him for a full season next year." -- Coach Kirk Earlywine after Moore had 18 points and 14 rebounds against Portland State in Eastern Washington's final Big Sky game last season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Treymayne Johnson, a 6-7 transfer forward from Los Angeles Southwest College, was recruited out of high school by the likes of Arizona and San Francisco. The Los Angeles native averaged nine points and five rebounds two years ago as a freshman at Southwest, then sat out last season and will have three seasons of eligibility at Eastern Washington. Also new to the roster several intriguing transfers, including guard Alden Gibbs of College of the Siskiyous, guard Morgan Hyslop of Columbia Basin Community College and forward Laron Griffin of Los Angeles Southwest College.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Eagles play at Washington State on Nov. 16 and at Gonzaga on Dec. 28. Both games are important as Eastern Washington seeks to carve out more respect and awareness in the Spokane area. An upset either of the Pac-10 Cougars and Top 25 Zags would be big news in the Palouse.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Rising. At least, it had better be for third-year coach Kirk Earlywine's sake. Eastern Washington needs to qualify for the league tournament to validate Earlywine's work. While there will be no predictions of a championship, the Eagles should contend for one of the six available postseason spots.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Benny Valentine, SG Gary Gibson, SF Treymaye Johnson, PF Mark Dunn, C Brandon Moore.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Matthew Brunell has been a reliable reserve for two seasons and could play a more prominent role as a senior. He played in all 30 games last season and averaged two points and two rebounds.

--G Benny Valentine was a second-team All-Big Sky selection last season when he hit 55 three-pointers and shot 72 percent from the foul line. Only 5-foot-7, Valentine is one of the league's quickest players.

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IDAHO STATE

GETTING INSIDE

If experience means anything, the Bengals could be a title contender in the Big Sky.

Eight seniors are on the Idaho State roster and several of them are stars. Guard Amorrow Morgan is a returning first-team all-conference choice who averaged 13.6 points per game last season. He also handed out 4.68 assists per game.

Forward Chron Tatum, guard Donnie Carson and 7-foot center Deividas Busma are also returning seniors who have starting experience. Tatum averaged 9.1 points in Big Sky play and Carson is a dogged defender who also can score.

Busma might be the tallest player in the league. In fact, the Bengals could well have the league's tallest front line, also boasting 6-8 Chron Tatum and 6-8 Demetrius Monroe.

This is the fourth season for head coach Joe O'Brien, and perhaps the Bengals are ready to make a quantum leap. His teams have finished 8-8, 8-8 and 9-7 the last three seasons in the Big Sky.

NOTES, QUOTES

--F Felix Caspari shot a remarkable percentage from the field last year and will look to get more shots in his senior season. Caspari was 33-for-43 from the floor overall (76.7 percent). In Big Sky play a season ago, he shot 19-for-23 from the field.

--G Amorrow Morgan could become that rare player to earn some form of all-conference recognition four years in a row. Morgan was honorable mention all-league his first two years at Idaho State and last year was selected first-team All-Big Sky.

--The Bengals made only 129 three-pointers last season to rank last in the Big Sky. Idaho State also ranked near the bottom of the league in foul shooting at 68.8 percent.

LAST YEAR: 13-19 overall, 9-7 in the Big Sky; lost in semifinals of league tournament.

HEAD COACH: Joe O'Brien (career 351-172); fourth year at Idaho State (38-55).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's the last go-round for a lot of these seniors. We expect to have a good season, a break-through season, and hopefully a championship season." -- Coach Joe O'Brien, reflecting on his veteran-laden roster.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Broderick Gilchrest might take over the point-guard job. He's a transfer from Frank Phillips College, where last season he averaged 12.8 points and 5.9 assists. Gilchrest played in 32 games as a true freshman at Middle Tennessee State, averaging 1.8 points and 0.6 assists. Also new to the roster are guard Mike Lacey, who sat out last season as a medical redshirt, and guard Phyllip Taylor, a transfer from Manatee Community College.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Bengals have played some extremely difficult schedules under O'Brien and this year it's no different. Idaho State's first three games are at Iowa State, Bradley and BYU. In late November through early December the Bengals play seven of eight games on the road, including stops at Utah State, Notre Dame, Utah, USC and Oregon.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Rising. The Bengals could well challenge for the league championship. O'Brien's teams have seemingly always played well down the stretch and have three consecutive league tournament appearances to show for it.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Broderick Gilchrest, SG Amorrow Morgan, SF Donnie Carson, PF Chron Tatum, C Deividas Busma.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Demetrius Monroe is one of eight seniors on the Bengal roster. He had five double-doubles a year ago, which tied for second-best in the Big Sky. Monroe started 12 games and finished the year averaging 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.

--G Austin Kilpatrick is the team's top three-point threat. He shot 31 percent from beyond the stripe last season (34-for-109).

--Under coach Joe O'Brien, the Bengals have always been a team built on rebounding and defense. But improved shooting from the three-point and foul lines is needed. Last year Idaho State opponents outscored the Bengals from the foul line, 545-434, and made nearly 100 more three-pointers (214-129).

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MONTANA

GETTING INSIDE

The Grizzlies might have the best player in the conference, senior guard Anthony Johnson. Plus they have some incentive following a home loss to Montana State last season in the first round of the league tournament.

Coach Wayne Tinkle has no less than three returning starters among seven lettermen returning.

Johnson, who was the league's Newcomer of the Year after leading the Big Sky in scoring at 17.6 points per game, will receive a lot of attention from opposing defenses.

But that was the case last year, too, and the former Yakima Valley Community College standout proved to be up to the task.

Jack McGillis and Ryan Staudacher also return to the Grizzly starting lineup, and former Eastern Washington starter Michael Young returns to bolster the backcourt.

The front line will miss graduated star Jordan Hasquet, but Brian Qvale and Derek Selvig are talented and tall.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Anthony Johnson led the Big Sky in foul shooting at 87 percent last season. He also shot 50 percent from the field and averaged a league-best 17.6 points per game.

--G Ryan Staudacher has started 59 consecutive games at Montana and is the active league leader in three-pointers with 140. He made 56 three-pointers last season and shot 45 percent from beyond the arc.

--The Grizzlies had a seven-game winning streak late in January and early February last season and seemed to be the league's hottest team. But losses in three of their last four games left a sour taste.

LAST YEAR: 17-12 overall, 11-5 in the Big Sky; lost in first round of league tournament

HEAD COACH: Wayne Tinkle (career 48-43); fourth year at Montana (48-43).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The neat thing is, we've got a great attitude and great chemistry. We've got to continue to develop some toughness and discipline. But, I think before it is all said and done, if we can stay healthy, which is a key especially in a few positions, that we're going to make a run at the Big Sky title." -- Coach Wayne Tinkle.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Raason Young averaged 18 points and 4.7 rebounds last season at Hagerston Community College in Maryland. He helped his team to a 22-9 record and was an all-region selection. Other newcomers who could play a lot are guard Mathias Ward, who is coming off a redshirt season, and Derek Selvig, a 7-footer with great potential who played in 23 games last season before a stress fracture ended his season.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Grizzlies are at Oregon on Nov. 23 and at Washington on Nov. 29. The featured games of the early season include the Big Sky opener in Missoula on Dec. 4 against Northern Arizona and a battle with visiting Northern Colorado the next night at Adams Center.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The Grizzlies went from eight league victories two years ago to 11 last season. Led by arguably the league's best player, there is no reason Montana can't reach the 12 or 13 victory mark in league play. Indeed, 20 victories overall is a possibility.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Anthony Johnson, SG Ryan Staudacher, SF Jack McGillis, PF Derek Selvig, C Brian Qvale.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Anthony Johnson is a preseason All-American candidate. He averaged 21.4 points a year ago in league play.

--Freddie Owens, a former Wisconsin Badger, replaced Nate DuChesne on the Montana coaching staff. DuChesne left for an assistant's position at Portland State.

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MONTANA STATE

GETTING INSIDE

The Bobcats hope the momentum carries over.

No Big Sky team was hotter in March than Montana State, which stunned host Montana in the first round of the league tournament and then shocked regular-season champion Weber State in a semifinal battle at the Wildcats' Purple Palace.

With four starters returning, there is plenty of optimism in Bozeman as head coach Brad Huse enters his fourth season.

The bad news is that Divaldo Mbunga has graduated. The center came up huge down the stretch as the Bobcats pulled off one upset after another.

The returning starters include guards Will Bynum and Marquis Navarre. They did not shoot particularly well from the perimeter all season but improved down the stretch. Bynum earned second-team all-league honors.

Small forwards Erik Rush and Bobby Howard also are returning starters, and forward Branden Johnson is back after making the All-Big Sky Tournament team.

Other veterans who should contribute are backcourt performers Danny Piepoli and Austin Brown, and frontline players Cameron Henderson and Cody Anderson.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Will Bynum led the Big Sky in steals last year with an average of 1.9 per game.

--F Bobby Howard averaged 10 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. He had off-season knee surgery but is expected to be fully recovered when the season begins.

--Coach Brad Huse signed a three-year contract extension last summer.

--Recruit Marco Bourgault, a 6-5 native of France who was expected to provide immediate help, was ruled ineligible in October.

LAST YEAR: 14-17 overall, 6-10 in the Big Sky; lost in championship game of league tournament

HEAD COACH: Brad Huse (career 224-111); fourth year at Montana State (40-51).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's great to have experience back in those spots where the decision-makers are. Those guys are going to be a little more interchangeable than last year, but they'll be real familiar with what we're doing. It's good to build your offense around the players who are orchestrating things, who are initiating sets in your half-court offense." -- Coach Brad Huse talking about his experienced backcourt, which includes two returning starters.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Michel Swita is a 7-footer from North Idaho College who might provide the size the team needs against some opponents. Bryan Louff is a JC transfer from Santa Monica who should bolster the backcourt. In addition, Jeff Budinich might see playing time as a true freshman. He is a 6-9 standout from Maple Valley, Wash.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Bobcats will be at San Francisco on Nov. 25 and at Oregon on Nov. 28. Another high-profile non-league game is Dec. 9, when the Cats visit Memphis. On New Year's Eve it really gets serious for Montana State when the Bobcats face Weber State in Ogden. Last year, the Cats were the only Big Sky team to defeat the Wildcats. And they did it twice.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The Bobcats were 6-10 in conference games last year, but really put it together in the league tournament. There is a wealth of talent and experience on the roster and no reason to expect Montana State won't be in the hunt for a first-division finish in the Big Sky.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Marquis Navarre, SG Will Bynum, SF Erik Rush, PF Bobby Howard, C Branden Johnson.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Colt Idol will redshirt after sustaining a knee injury during the off-season.

--G Margo Bourgault, a heralded recruit from France, left the program after failing to gain eligibility.

--F Branden Johnson and F Bobby Howard split time at the power forward position a year ago, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the two played together along with athletic small forward Erik Rush this season. Johnson and Howard are explosive three-point shooters.

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NORTHERN ARIZONA

GETTING INSIDE

Last season was not one to remember for Lumberjack fans. Not only did the team fail to qualify for the league tournament, but point guard Josh Wilson exhausted his eligibility after four seasons of exceptional play.

Only four lettermen return so coach Mike Adras has a rebuilding project on his hands.

Things would seemingly have to get better for a Northern Arizona program that a season ago dealt with injuries, ineffectiveness and off-court issues.

The Lumberjacks had one of their worst seasons in more than a decade and now will be without Wilson, a four-year starter who is the school's all-time leader in assists.

Guard Cameron Jones and forward Shane Johannsen are the top veterans who return and both could be honors candidates. Jones averaged 15.6 points per game in league play and Johannsen shot 73 percent from the field last season.

In addition, 6-10 sophomore center Josh Lepley and senior forward Nick Larson are back. Lepley shot 58 percent from the field.

Coach Mike Adras is the dean of Big Sky coaches. In fact there's nobody close. In 10 years at Northern Arizona, Adras has amassed a record of 158-136. No one else has coached in the league longer than four years.

Adras is a winner, but rarely has he been forced to overhaul his roster as completely as is the case this year.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Cameron Jones was a second-team All-Big Sky selection last year as a sophomore.

--F Shane Johannsen started all 27 games last year. He was the only player to do so for the Lumberjacks.

--Northern Arizona has long been known for its "recruit to shoot" mentality and its three-point prowess. But that reputation took a hit last year when the Lumberjacks shot only 35 percent from beyond the arc, which ranked sixth in the Big Sky.

LAST YEAR: 9-19 overall, 5-11 in the Big Sky.

HEAD COACH: Mike Adras (career 158-136); 11th year at Northern Arizona (158-136).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The big trick right now is trying to get all the new guys on the same page with the returners. The returners are a little bit farther along and ahead of the game and you're trying to bring the new guys in as quickly as you possibly can to understand what we're trying to do. There's a lot of questions to be answered here in the next month." -- Coach Mike Adras, commenting about molding his newcomers with his few veterans.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: There are plenty of new faces in the Lumberjack camp. Guard Eric Platt is perhaps the top newcomer. He's a 6-foot junior who played in 71 games in a two-year career at Wyoming before sitting out last season as a transfer. Platt averaged 6.5 points per game as a freshman and 3.5 points per game as a sophomore at Wyoming. Other transfers of note include guard DeAngelo Jones of Cochise College, guard Julian Olubuyi of Northwest Junior College in Wyoming, forward Isaiah Jackson of Mississippi Gulf Coast and center Austin Smith of Liberty.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Lumberjacks play road games at Arizona, Santa Clara and San Diego State in November, but the truly big games early on will take place in Montana. Northern Arizona is at Montana on Dec. 4, then plays at Montana State on Dec. 5.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Definitely descending. The Lumberjacks were 12-2 in the Big Sky five years ago. After back-to-back 11-5 seasons, the team slipped to 5-11 last season.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Eric Platt, SG, G Cameron Jones, SF Shane Johannsen, PF Nick Larson, C Josh Lepley.

ROSTER REPORT

--G DeAngelo Jones is a transfer from Cochise College who was 28th in the nation in junior college scoring, averaging 19.5 points per game.

--G Julian Olubuyi played his last two seasons Northwest Junior College in Wyoming and averaged 14.3 points per game.

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NORTHERN COLORADO

GETTING INSIDE

:

What can the Bears do for an encore?

Last season was truly one to remember for Northern Colorado, which qualified for the league tournament for the first time. The Bears were .500 in conference play for the first time and senior Jabril Banks became the first All-Big Sky selection in program history.

This season there is reason for optimism, as three starters return. Among them are honors candidates Will Figures and Devon Beitzel, guards who have both averaged in double digits

Also returning for the Bears are power forward Taylor Montgomery and veterans Neal Kingman, Mike Proctor, Chris Kaba and Yahosh Bonner.

Figures and Beitzel were honorable mention All-Big Sky choices. Figures averaged 12.1 points and finished fourth in the league in three-point field-goal percentage at 44 percent. Beitzel averaged 11.2 points and shot 49 percent from the floor.

Banks, though, will be missed. He averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and ranked second in the league in field-goal percentage at 64 percent.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Will Figures scored 20 or more points six times last season and led Northern Arizona in scoring in league play at 13.7 points per game.

--G Devon Beitzel scored a career-high 32 points in Northern Colorado's home victory over Northern Arizona last season.

--The Bears were only 3-13 on the road last season.

--Tad Boyle used 14 starting combinations a year ago.

LAST YEAR: 14-19 overall, 8-8 in the Big Sky; lost in first round of league tournament.

HEAD COACH: Tad Boyle (career 31-58); fourth year at Northern Colorado (31-58).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I try to have one or two marquee trips a year. When you're recruiting basketball players, they want to play against good competition. And we're playing teams this year from the Big 12, the Mountain West the WAC and so on. And they want to play in some nice locations, and you can't do much better than Hawaii in November. And the Rainbow Classic is a great field for us. We're going to have a chance to play two games on a neutral court, and then we'll have Hawaii, which is a possible ESPN game. There are a lot of appealing aspects of that trip." -- Coach Tad Boyle, commenting about his team's early-season schedule, which includes trips to Hawaii, Oklahoma and TCU.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Freshman forward Emmanuel Addo is an intriguing prospect. The 6-7, 230-pounder is a left-hander who was born in Africa and raised in Toronto. He later moved to Minneapolis and finished his high school education at Northfield, Minn., where a year ago he was rated among the top prep forwards in the land by ESPNU. Coach Tad Boyle did not recruit any JC transfers. Among the most heralded recruits who might see playing time immediately are true freshmen Tate Unruh and David Arnold. Unruh shot 87 percent from the foul line for his career at Branson (Mo.) High and had 236 three-pointers in high school. Arnold averaged 22 points last season at Thunder Ridge High in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Bears will travel to Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic in mid-November, meeting McNeese State, Southern Utah and host Hawaii. The Big Sky opener is Dec. 4 at Montana State, followed by a game the next day in Missoula against Montana.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The Bears are on the rise. Three years ago the team was coming off consecutive 24-loss seasons. With a dynamic backcourt returning, there is reason to believe the Bears will be back in the tournament chase.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Yahosh Bonner, SG Will Figures, SF Devon Beitzel, PF Taylor Montgomery, C Mike Proctor.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Devon Beitzel shot 42 percent from three-point range last year (61-for- 144).

--F Mike Proctor had 140 rebounds last year, which ranked second on the team to Jabril Banks, who had 179.

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PORTLAND STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Now it's Tyler Geving's turn.

The Vikings prospered in recent years under coach Ken Bone, who left for a new job at Washington State after leading the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

Geving assisted Bone the last four years in Portland and will be counted on to maintain the status quo. That might be a difficult proposition since two-time All-Big Sky performer Jeremiah Dominguez has graduated.

Dominguez and Andre Murray, a second team all-league pick last year, helped the Vikings post back-to-back seasons of 23-10.

The Vikings have seven lettermen back, including two starters and sixth-man Dominic Waters, who was a second team all-league choice. Phil Nelson returns to bolster the front line after starting all 33 games a year ago.

Portland State also has two highly regarded junior-college recruits, forward Phillip Thomas and guard Melvin Jones.

The coaching transition should be fairly seamless and Geving added highly respected coach Nate DuChesne, who assisted at Montana last season, as one of his aides.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Dominic Waters led the Big Sky in three-point shooting last season (44 percent).

--F Julius Thomas set a school record last year while shooting 64 percent from the floor.

--The Vikings set 12 new school records last season, which ended with a 77-59 loss to Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

LAST YEAR: 23-10 overall, 11-5 in the Big Sky; won Big Sky tournament, lost in first round of NCAA tournament.

HEAD COACH: Tyler Geving (career 0-0); first year at Portland State.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "About 90 percent of what we will do as a team will be the same as previous seasons. It would be crazy to change what has worked in the past." -- First-year coach Tyler Geving.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Junior Melvin Jones is the heir apparent for departed superstar point guard Jeremiah Dominguez. Jones averaged 13.2 points and 3.6 assists last year at North Idaho Junior College. He also shot 48 percent from three-point range. Alonzo Brandon made 187 three-pointers in a two-year career at Arizona Western and should play right away in the Viking backcourt.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Vikings will be at Stanford on Nov. 29 and play at Portland in a regional rivalry on Dec. 2. The Big Sky opener is Dec. 5 against visiting Eastern Washington. Portland State also will play significant road games prior to Christmas at Pepperdine, St. Mary's and Washington State.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: When you're at the top there is no place to go but down. Portland State has won back-to-back Big Sky tournament titles and should be a challenger again. But with a new coach and a new point guard, a third straight title might be asking a bit too much.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Melvin Jones, SG Dominic Waters, SF Jamie Jones, PF Phil Nelson, PF Julius Thomas.

ROSTER REPORT:

--C Nate Lozeau and G Nigel Peter-Denman will sit out because of transfer rules. Lozeau is from San Diego and Denman from Denver.

--Two walk-ons have a chance to contribute. F Kenton Basemer and F Steve Christensen could be in the mix, according to coach Geving. Christensen played two years at Lane Community College.

--G Dominic Waters scored a career-high 41 points last season in a four-overtime victory over Northern Arizona.

--F Phil Nelson started all 33 games last season and scored in double figures 17 times.

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SACRAMENTO STATE

GETTING INSIDE

It appears as if the Hornets will have a hard time escaping the cellar once again.

But things have to be better, because they can't get much worse.

Last season the Hornets were 1-15 in the league and 2-27 overall. It was a dismal start for the Brian Katz era in Sacramento.

With three starters returning, plus three other lettermen, there is a solid base for Katz. Justin Eller is a veteran center and one of six seniors on the team.

Guard Antonio Flaggs is another veteran back who should bolster the backcourt. Guard Mike Marcial is the other captain who will try to lead this program back to respectability.

Katz tried 16 starting combinations a year ago and very little seemed to work. It was a team that couldn't really score or defend.

There are eight newcomers on the roster, including several highly regarded junior college transfers.

Guard Sultan Toles-Bey, who was named state co-junior college player of the year last season in California, is one of six JC transfers on the Sacramento State roster.

NOTES, QUOTES

--C Justin Eller finished third in the Big Sky in rebounding last year with a6.7 average.

--G Antonio Flaggs scored in double figures 10 times last season. He had a season-high 23 points at Wyoming.

--The Hornets averaged only 57 points last season and were outscored by an average of 15.4 points per game.

LAST YEAR: 2-27 overall, 1-15 in the Big Sky.

HEAD COACH: Brian Katz (career 2-27); second year at Sacramento State (2-27).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Sultan is a proven winner with a very good feel and understanding of the game. He makes the game very easy for his teammates, and is an excellent perimeter shooter and scoring point guard." -- Coach Brian Katz of new recruit Sultan Toles-Bey.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Sultan Toles-Bey averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game last year at Fresno City College. Twice he scored more than 30 points. Swingman David Norris averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last season at Riverside Junior College. He should also contribute immediately. Other JC recruits include forward Duro Bjegovic of Highland Community College and guard Walter Jackson of San Joaquin Delta Junior College.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Hornets take on UC Riverside at home on Nov. 28 and a solid effort would give evidence that the team is improved. A visit from Weber State on Dec. 5 in the Big Sky opener might not be pretty. The Hornets will play host to expected league contender Idaho State on Dec. 19.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: There is truly no where to go but up. This is Year Two of the Brian Katz era. After back-to-back seasons of 4-24 and, last year, 2-27, eight or nine victories will seem like a great campaign.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Sultan Toles-Bey, SG Antonio Flaggs, SG Mike Marcial, F Jonathan Malloy, PF Justin Eller.

ROSTER REPORT:

--C Justin Eller shot a respectable 66 percent from the foul line in 113 attempts. But he shot poorly from the field, only 37 percent, for a player considered to lead the charge offensively.

--G Antonio Flaggs shot 40 percent from three-point range (41-for-102) and will try to pick up the scoring slack for departed star Loren Leath.

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WEBER STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Last year was a reason for celebration or dejection for the Wildcats, depending on how you look at it.

Weber State ran away with the Big Sky regular-season title by winning 15 of 16 games. Then the Wildcats absorbed a stunning loss to Montana State in the semifinals of the league tournament.

There is a lot of talent returning and most experts are picking Weber to return to the top of the conference standings under veteran coach Randy Rahe.

Weber, which lost to San Diego State, 65-49, in a first-round NIT game, will be led by star guard Damian Lillard, the league's Freshman of the Year last season.

Fellow frosh Kyle Bullinger is a talented performer and returning starter, and senior Steve Panos provides a wealth of experience and leadership.

Nick Hansen is another reliable performer who returns to the starting lineup.

Though stars Kellen McCoy and Daviin Davis graduated, don't look for Weber State to fall too far this season. McCoy was the team's leading scorer at 14.1 points per game and Davis was a clutch player who contributed mightily to highly successful Weber teams the last few seasons.

NOTES, QUOTES

--G Damian Lillard was the first freshman in Big Sky history to be selected first-team all-conference. He averaged 11.5 points and 2.87 assists.

--C Steve Panos started all 31 Wildcat games last season and has played in 87 career games at Weber. Last season, he was fifth in the league in field-goal shooting at 54 percent.

--The Wildcats became only the second team in Big Sky history to win 15 regular-season league games. Weber's perfect 8-0 road record in league play marked the first such achievement in conference history.

LAST YEAR: 21-10 overall, 15-1 in the Big Sky; lost in semifinals of league tournament.

HEAD COACH: Randy Rahe (career 57-36); fourth year at Weber State (57-36).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Damian is a special player. He worked hard last season to fit in and improve his game and has worked even harder since last March to get himself ready. He's physically, mentally and emotionally more mature and is becoming one of our team leaders. I expect he will be much better all around player this season." -- Coach Randy Rahe of guard Damian Lillard, who was named Freshman of the Year last season in the Big Sky.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Franklin Session averaged 14.6 points and 10.5 rebounds last year at Saddleback JC in California. He is one of three JC recruits who could contribute immediately. The others are guard Lindsey Hughey of Seminole Junior College and Josh Noble of Snead State Junior College. Hughey averaged nearly 20 points and four assists, while Noble averaged 15 points, five assists and three steals.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The season opener features a home game against rival Utah State on Nov. 13. The Wildcats will be at BYU on Nov. 27 in another emotional rivalry game and play host to Utah on Dec. 2. The first big game of the Big Sky season is Dec. 31 at home against Montana State, which won twice in Ogden last season.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Hard to get much better than 15-1, but the loss in the tournament semifinals left a bitter taste. Randy Rahe has done a remarkable job at Weber and last season won 20 games for the second time in three years. It's difficult to imagine the Wildcats falling too far.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Damian Lillard, G Nick Hanse, SF Kyle Bullinger, PF Trevor Morris, C Steve Panos.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Trevor Morris shot 62 percent from the field last season (58-of-94) and should be a key player whether starting or coming off the bench.

--G Damian Lillard is money at the foul line. He shot 84 percent there last season as a freshman.