The loss of five seniors from a UNLV squad that posted its third straight 20-win campaign and made a third straight trip to the postseason usually signals a rebuilding year for most programs. However, sixth-year head coach Lon Kruger doesn't anticipate much of a drop off with a trio of Division I transfers joining his stable of six returning letterwinners and two starters for the 2009-10 season.
Tre'Von Willis, G, Jr., 6-4, 195
Junior guard Tre'Von Willis returns after starting 23 of the Rebels' 32 games in 2008-09. The Fresno, Calif., native ranked second on the team in scoring (11.4 ppg) and assists (3.3 apg) last season while tying for second in rebounding (4.3 rpg). He also ranked among league leaders scoring, assists, free throw percentage (73.7%) and steals (1.1 spg).
Derrick Jasper, G, Jr., 6-6, 215
Junior guard Derrick Jasper was voted the 2009-10 MWC Preseason Newcomer of the Year, having sat out the 2008-09 season to satisfy NCAA rules following his transfer from the University of Kentucky. The Paso Robles, Calif., product played in 34 games as a freshman at UK in 2006-07, staring the final 27.
UTAH RUNNIN' UTES
PREVIEW
Seven letterwinners and three starters return on a Utah squad coming off a share of the 2008-09 MWC regular-season crown and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004-05. To help prepare the Runnin' Utes for defense of their Conference crown, third-year head coach Jim Boylen has once again put together a challenging non-conference schedule that includes three opponents ranked in the preseason Top 25: No. 15 Michigan, No. 17 Oklahoma and No. 23 Illinois.
Carlon Brown, F, Jr., 6-5, 205
Junior forward Carlon Brown received all-MWC honorable mention after starting all 34 games in 2008-09. The Riverside, Calif,. Product led the Runnin' Utes with 112 assists last season, while ranking 10th in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.51).
Luka Drca, G, Sr., 6-5, 205
Senior guard Luka Drca was also an all-MWC honorable mention pick in 2008-09, leading the team with 32 steals and ranking second with 107 assists. Drca, a Serbian national who hails from Belgrade, is on pace to crack the top-10 all-time lists at Utah for career assists (265) and steals (74).
WYOMING COWBOYS
PREVIEW
Five letterwinners, including two starters, return for third-year head coach Heath Schroyer. Last season, the Cowboys reached the postseason for the first time since 2002-03, playing in the College Basketball Invitational and finishing with a 19-14 overall record. With just three upperclassmen on the roster, Scroyer will be looking to a talented group of young players and a pair of Division I transfers to step up and lead the Cowboys in 2009-10.
Afam Muojeke, G, So., 6-7, 210
Sophomore guard Afam Muojeke was tabbed the 2008-09 MWC Freshman of the Year after setting the league's all-time freshman scoring record with 454 points. A native of Jamaica, N.Y., Muojeke was also the top freshman in rebounding last season with a 5.3 average on the glass. He ranked 12 in the MWC in scoring and 10th in rebounding.
JayDee Luster, G, So., 5-9, 165
Sophomore guard JayDee Luster sat out the 2008-09 season to satisfy NCAA rules after transferring from New Mexico State University. The San Diego, Calif., product played in 27 games at NMSU during the 2007-08 season, averaging 7.5 points per game.
