Coming off back-to-back 20-win campaigns, consecutive NIT appearances and a share of its first conference title in 15 years, New Mexico will feature one of the youngest rosters in the nation in 2009-10. With just three upperclassmen and a trio of starters among six returning letterwinners, third-year head coach Steve Alford will be looking for an immediate impact from his class of six newcomers.
Dairese Gary, G, Jr., 6-1, 205
Junior Dairese Gary has started 62 consecutive games at point guard for the Lobos over the past two seasons. In 2008-09, the Elkhart, Ind., native ranked second in the league in assists (4.1 apg) and ninth in steals (1.15 spg).
Roman Martinez, F, Sr., 6-6, 185
Senior forward Roman Martinez received all-MWC honorable mention in 2008-09 after averaging 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while starting 33 of 34 games. The El Paso, Texas, product is one of the league's top perimeter threats, ranking third with a 41.8 (69-of-165) conversion rate beyond the arc last season.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
PREVIEW
San Diego State will have a new look in 2009-10 after losing five seniors off last season's school-record 26-win team that advanced to the semifinals of the NIT. Eight letterwinners, including two starters, return for 11th-year head coach Steve Fisher and the Aztecs, who are picked to finish second in the league.
Billy White, F, Jr., 6-8, 226
Junior forward Billy White earned all-MWC honorable mention in 2008-09 after receiving third-team all-MWC and MWC Freshman of the Year honors in 2007-08. The Las Vegas, Nev., product is the Aztecs' returning scoring (8.5 ppg), steals (31) and blocked shots (26) leader.
D.J. Gay, G, Jr., 6-0, 155
Junior guard D.J. Gay has played in all 69 games since his arrival at SDSU, starting 49. The Sun Valley, Calif., native tallied 63 assists and 26 steals while contributing 6.0 points per game in 2008-09.
TCU HORNED FROGS
PREVIEW
Second-year head coach Jim Christian continues the rebuilding process at TCU in 2009-10, bringing in a six-member class of newcomers to compliment a veteran squad that counts three starters among six returning letterwinners.
Zvonko Buljan, F/C, Sr., 6-9, 220
Senior forward/center Zvonko Buljan received all-MWC honorable mention and MWC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2008-09 after leading the team in rebounding (7.8 rpg) and ranking second in scoring (12.3 ppg). The native of Split, Croatia, was also among league leaders, ranking second in rebounding, eighth in field goal percentage (145-of-290, .500) and 15th in scoring.
Ronnie Moss, G, So., 6-2, 195
Sophomore guard Ronnie Moss ranked third on the team with a 10.2 scoring average last season. The Fort Worth, Texas, product became the first TCU player since 2001-02 to average double digits as a freshman.
