Air Force Falcons
Coach: Jeff Reynolds, first season
2006-07 record: 26-9, 10-6 Mountain West
Postseason: NIT semifinals
Returning starter (1): G Tim Anderson, Sr., 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds (101 assists, 62 steals).
Key nonconference games: Nov. 25 vs. Washington State (at Spokane, Wash.); Dec. 30 at Wake Forest.
Why to hope: Stability. Even though this is its fourth coaching change in the past five seasons, Air Force didn’t look far for its next head man. Reynolds was Jeff Bzdelik’s top assistant a season ago. Expect nearly everything to remain intact including, most important, the backdoor-happy Princeton offense. And as a head coach, Reynolds does have a track record of success, going 21-7 in one season at Division III North Carolina Wesleyan (1985-86) and 61-27 in three seasons at Wingate (N.C.) College.
But curb your enthusiasm because: Of inexperience. Gone is the core of last season’s 26-win team – Nick Welch, Dan Nwaelele, Jacob Burtschi and Matt McCraw. That group won 90 games over four seasons. Air Force’s trademark 3-point shooting will take a hit as Reynolds searches for ways to score with a group that isn’t as deft from deep. Tim Anderson (34.8 percent on 3-pointers) is the lone returning starter, and the Falcons’ fortunes will be tied to how well he performs. But without proven talent around him, don’t expect similar success as AFA tries to find its feet.
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Air Force Classic
at Air Force Academy
Friday Dartmouth 8 p.m.
Saturday Northern Colorado or VMI TBA
Wed. Western State 7 p.m.
Nov. 19 Radford 7 p.m.
Cougar Hispanic College Fund Classic
at Spokane, Wash.
Nov. 23 Mississippi Valley State TBA
Nov. 24 Montana TBA
Nov. 25 Washington State TBA
Nov. 29 Colorado 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 at Northern Illinois 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 Prairie View A&M 4 p.m.
Dec. 13 Norfolk State 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 Colorado Christian 2 p.m.
Dec. 30 at Wake Forest 2 p.m.
Jan. 5 at Utah noon
Jan. 12 UNLV 4 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Wyoming 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 at New Mexico 4 p.m.
Jan. 22 Colorado State 8 p.m.
Jan. 30 BYU 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 at TCU 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 at San Diego State 9 p.m.
Feb. 9 Utah 4 p.m.
Feb. 12 at UNLV 8 p.m.
Feb. 16 Wyoming 4 p.m.
Feb. 20 New Mexico 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 at Colorado State 7 p.m.
March 1 at BYU 7 p.m.
March 5 TCU 7 p.m.
March 8 San Diego State 1 p.m.
Colorado Buffaloes
Coach: Jeff Bzdelik, first season
2006-07 record: 7-20, 3-13 Big 12
Postseason: None
Returning starters (4): G Richard Roby, Sr., 17.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg; G Xavier Silas, So., 12.0, 3.7; F Jermyl Jackson-Wilson, Jr., 8.0, 6.2; F/C Marcus King-Stockton, Sr., 3.6, 4.2.
Key nonconference games: Nov. 17 at Wisconsin; Dec. 2 vs. Stanford.
Why to hope: A smattering of talent. Richard Roby has flirted with the NBA for a couple of seasons and is the unquestioned leader of this bunch. Big things are expected from the athletic Xavier Silas, and the team is high on newcomers Cory Higgins and Levi Knutson. Guard Marcus Hall gives the Buffs experience, and Bzdelik, who has always been admired for his player evaluation skills, is already one of the most credible coaches in school history. He is 75-47 as a college head coach.
But curb your enthusiasm because: Learning takes time. Bzdelik is going to run some version of the Princeton offense, and those players are going to have to learn it. Discipline and patience are key in the process. Correcting the myriad bad habits formed last season, such as a minus-3.07 turnover margin, will take time to iron out.
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Today New Mexico 7 p.m.
America’s Youth Classic
at Madison, Wis.
Thursday Florida A&M 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 Savannah State 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 17 at Wisconsin 6 p.m.
Nov. 20 Colorado Christian 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 at Denver 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Air Force 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 Stanford 2 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Wyoming 2 p.m.
Dec. 12 New Orleans 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Colorado State 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 Grambling State 2 p.m.
Jan. 4 SMU 8 p.m.
Jan. 7 Tulsa 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Texas A&M 2 p.m.
Jan. 15 Nebraska 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 at Texas 6 p.m.
Jan. 23 Kansas State 7 p.m.
Jan. 26 Missouri 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 at Iowa State 6 p.m.
Feb. 2 Kansas 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 at Oklahoma State 6 p.m.
Feb. 9 Oklahoma 2 p.m.
Feb. 16 at Kansas 11:30 a.m.
Feb. 20 Texas Tech 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 at Missouri 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 Baylor 7:30 p.m.
March 1 Iowa State 4 p.m.
March 4 at Kansas State 7 p.m.
March 9 at Nebraska 1 p.m.
Colorado State Rams
Coach: Tim Miles, first season
2006-07 record: (17-13, 6-10 Mountain West)
Postseason: None
Returning starter (1): C Stuart Creason Sr., 10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg (54 blocked shots).
Key nonconference games: Nov. 24 at Stanford; Dec. 8 at Minnesota; Dec. 15 at North Dakota State.
Why to hope: Miles’ track record. At North Dakota State, Miles helped the Bison transition from Division II to Division I in style, chopping down some major programs along the way. In 2005-06, NDSU won at Wisconsin. Last season, the Bison took down No. 8 Marquette and finished 20-8, so there is quality to the work he has done even if it was done in obscurity. At their best, his teams play with a trademark motion offense and sticky man-to-man defense.
But curb your enthusiasm because: The Rams are new, through and through. Personnel tinkering will be paramount in Miles’ first few years. He walks into a situation having to replace superstar Jason Smith, who was part of the departure of 85 percent of CSU’s points, 92 percent of its assists and 84 percent of its rebounding from last season. And Miles will have to do that with a foundation of just two players who have played Division I basketball: Stuart Creason and sophomore Ronny Aguilar. Only eight eligible scholarship players are on this season’s roster. Other than that, everything’s great.
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Today at Montana 7 p.m.
Top of the World Classic
At Fairbanks, Alaska
Thursday Oregon State 6 p.m.
Nov. 17 TBD TBA
Nov. 18 TBD TBA
Nov. 24 at Stanford 8 p.m.
Nov. 28 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 at Northern Colorado 6 p.m.
Dec. 4 Denver 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Minnesota 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 at North Dakota State noon
Dec. 19 at Nevada 8 p.m.
Dec. 22 Colorado 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 Western State 7 p.m.
Jan. 5 UNLV 3 p.m.
Jan. 8 Panhandle (Okla.) St. 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 at BYU 4 p.m.
Jan. 19 TCU 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Air Force 8 p.m.
Jan. 26 at Wyoming 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 San Diego State 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 Utah 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 at New Mexico 8 p.m.
Feb. 9 at UNLV 4 p.m.
Feb. 13 BYU 7 p.m.
Feb. 20 at TCU 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 Air Force 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 Wyoming 6:30 p.m.
March 1 at San Diego State 8 p.m.
March 4 at Utah 7 p.m.
March 8 New Mexico 3:30 p.m.
Denver Pioneers
Coach: Joe Scott, first season
2006-07 record: 4-25, 3-15 Sun Belt
Postseason: None
Returning starters (2): G Tyler Bullock, So., 11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg; C Adam Tanner, Sr., 6.2, 5.3 rpg.
Key nonconference games: Nov. 27 vs. Colorado; Dec. 15 at Penn State.
Why to hope: Spirit of redemption. The coach and the program need each other, and both will be out to prove doubters wrong. Scott, after a successful stint at Air Force, flamed out at Princeton, going 38-45 in three seasons. Denver, after nearly making the NCAA Tournament in 2004-05, went 16-15 in 2005-06, then collapsed under a cloud of uncertainty last season when then-coach Terry Carroll unexpectedly left in the middle of the season. Scott is a proven winner in the Rocky Mountains, and DU has shown flashes of being a winner. Motivation will be good for both.
But curb your enthusiasm because: Denver lost its leading scorer, DaShawn Walker (14.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), and must replace regulars Antonio Porch, Steve Wetrich and Alex Cox. Five players are freshmen, and when you’re trying to build from a team that lost 17 games by double digits and allowed 40 percent shooting from 3-point range, it’s going to take time.
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
2K Sports College Hoops Classic
At Norman, Okla.
Thursday Def. East Central (Okla.) 76-75, OT
Today At Oklahoma 6 p.m.
Tuesday Wyoming 7 p.m.
2K Sports College Hoops Classic
at New York
Nov. 15 TBD
Nov. 16 TBD
Nov. 17 at Northern Colorado 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 Colorado 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 at Colorado State 6 p.m.
Dec. 8 Northern Colorado 4 p.m.
Dec. 15 at Penn State 11 a.m.
Dec. 18 at South Dakota State 6 p.m.
Dec. 22 North Texas 4 p.m.
Cable Car Classic
At Santa Clara, Calif.
Dec. 28 at Santa Clara 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 Niagara or Morgan State TBD
Jan. 2 Louisiana-Monroe 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 at Middle Tennessee 6 p.m.
Jan. 9 at New Orleans 6 p.m.
Jan. 13 Ark.-Little Rock 4 p.m.
Jan. 17 Arkansas State 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 at Florida Atlantic 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 at South Alabama 2 p.m.
Jan. 31 Florida International 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 at Western Kentucky 6 p.m.
Feb. 7 Troy 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette Noon
Feb. 14 at North Texas 6 p.m.
Feb. 16 at Louisiana-Monroe 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 Middle Tennessee 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 New Orleans 4 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Ark.-Little 6:30 p.m.
March 1 at Louisiana-Lafayette 6 p.m.
Northern Colorado Bears
Coach: Tad Boyle, second season
2006-07 record: 4-24
Postseason: None
Returning starters (3): G Sean Taibi, Sr., 14.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg; C Kirk Archibeque, Sr., 13.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg; G Thanasi Panagiotakopoulos, Sr., 5.0, 3.5 apg.
Key nonconference games: Wednesday, at Iowa; Dec. 17 at Gonzaga; Dec. 19 at Oregon State; Jan. 9 at San Diego State.
Why to hope: Motivation. The Bears are full-fledged members of the Big Sky Conference and Division I basketball. In 2006-07, during the last season of the NCAA-mandated three-year transition period, the program was not eligible for postseason play, which included the conference tournament. That snatched a bit of purpose from the season. But seniors Sean Taibi (45 percent from 3-point range) and Kirk Archibeque (56 percent shooting) have real purpose to play this season and are the clear leaders on a young, but up-and-coming, team. Keep an eye on guard Thanasi Panagiotakopoulos and transfer forward Jabril Banks.
But curb your enthusiasm because: Getting a program up and running on the Division I level takes time, usually lots of it, and a ton of patience is needed here. There is more talent around Taibi and Archibeque this season, but rising from a four-win season isn’t done in one year. It isn’t likely UNC will be an instant hit this season.
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Air Force Classic
At Air Force Academy
Today VMI 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Air Force or Dartmouth TBD
Wed. at Iowa 7 p.m.
Nov. 17 Denver 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 Johnson & Wales 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 Colorado State 6 p.m.
Dec. 6 Bowling Green 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Denver 4 p.m.
Dec. 17 at Gonzaga TBA
Dec. 19 at Oregon State TBA
Dec. 21 at Portland 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 28 Sacramento State 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 at Northern Arizona TBA
Jan. 3 Idaho State 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 Weber State 2 p.m.
Jan. 9 at San Diego State 8 p.m.
Jan. 17 at Eastern Washington 8 p.m.
Jan. 19 at Portland State 8 p.m.
Jan. 24 Montana State 7 p.m.
Jan. 26 Montana 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 Northern Arizona 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 at Sacramento State 8 p.m.
Feb. 7 at Idaho State 7 p.m.
Feb. 9 at Weber State 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 Johnson & Wales (Colo.) 7 p.m.
Feb. 20 Portland State 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 Eastern Washington 7 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Montana 7 p.m.
Mar. 3 at Montana State 7 p.m.
