The Bear is grumbling, which is good news on the Rio Grande. His guards can't shoot, Tim Hardaway is gone, and he doesn't really know what kind of talent his team has.
Naturally, nobody is buying UTEP Coach Don Haskins' line. His gloom and doom predictions usually dissolve into a 20-game winner. Haskins returns four starters to the team that finished second in the WAC, won the league tourney and attended the NCAA tournament for the 12th time in Haskins' coaching career.UTEP garnered 26 first-place ballots, nearly sweeping the voting by media members Monday at the WAC media day. New Mexico was the only contender, drawing the other four votes (see box).
The bulk of the big-name players have exited the league: BYU's Michael Smith, Hawaii's Reggie Cross, UTEP's Hardaway, New Mexico's Charlie Thomas, Utah's Mitch Smith, Colorado State's Pat Durham and Wyoming's Reggie Fox. While there are a few stars left - namely Air Force's Raymond Dudley - the WAC promises to be a conference short on glitter and long on dreams.
But where depth and experience lurk, there is hope, and nobody is deeper in both than The Bear.
UTEP: The Miners return everyone significant except Hardaway, the star point guard who went on to the Golden State Warriors. "The press in El Paso raved about him," said Haskins. "I never thought he was that good. Then I saw an exhibition game and - you know what? - I lost a hell of a player."
Remaining is a typically big, rough, good-rebounding team. The front includes 7-foot Greg Foster and 6-10 Antonio Davis.
As Foster assumes his role as the league's best center, Davis may be its best player. "I feel he (Davis) is a little better player. But until we play, I really don't know where we are," deferred Haskins.
The Miners have acquired freshman Henry Hall, who signed at Georgetown, but sat out last year in order to transfer. Also back is experienced guard Prince Stewart.
New Mexico: The only team with a chance to derail the Miners is their old rival, New Mexico. The Lobos lost some muscle and rebounding with the departure of forward Charlie Thomas, but they return street-smart veteran Rob Robbins, forward Marvin McBurrows, guard Darrell McGee and 7-2 center Luc Longley.
Longley, an Australian, has been working out in the weight room and working on making himself mean enough to dominate in American basketball. "He's a fine person and a really terrific teammate . . . And he's really just too nice a person," sighed Lobo Coach Dave Bliss.
The Lobos, who were denied an NCAA berth again last year due to a weak schedule, present a mixed bag of opponents. The Lobo Classic features such silly opponents as Hardin Simmons and Monmouth; also making appearances in Albuquerque are New Mexico Highlands and Cenentary. Interspersed between the weaklings are Tennessee and Louisville.
Hawaii: The Rainbows made an even swap by sending Reggie Cross off to European ball and reinstating high-scoring guard Chris Gaines. Gaines was suspended when he ran into grade problems early last year, and ended up missing the entire WAC season.
Joining Gaines are 6-8 center Cliff Beaubrun - the player Wallace is the best athlete on the team - starting guard Troy Bowe and forwards Terry Houston and Vincent Smalls.
Colorado State: The Rams, last year's regular season champions, aren't likely going to be up the task again. All-WAC forward Pat Durham, three-point star Joel Triblehorn and steady guard Trent Shippen are gone. "We did lose three excellent players. We've lost 40-45 points a game," said Grant.
Most prominent returnee is 6-8 center Eric Friehauf. Others with experience included forward Andy Anderson, swingman Jamie Hines, forward Matt Sharp and guard Lynn Tryon. But none of the returnees averaged in double-figure scoring.
CSU's championship last year may have been a fluke. This year fans can find out how good a coach Grant really is.
Wyoming: Coach Benny Dees, who has had his house egged by irate fans, may be getting a brick through his window this year.
"We're not very good," he said. "We're just not very good."
For a team that finished 6-10 last year in the WAC, the picture isn't pretty. The team's two best players - Robyn Davis and Reggie Fox - graduated. Leftovers included some highly touted players who were freshmen a year ago, such as 6-foot-6 forward Tim Breaux and 6-7 forward Reggie Slater. But they will need to produce immediately in order for Dees to even hold his ground.
BYU: First-year coach Roger Reid returns four starters, but not the Big Starter. Michael Smith is playing for the Boston Celtics and Reid has been left with a collection of role players.
The Cougars will count heavily on immediate production from Dixie College transfer Todd Crow. But other than Crow, the points will have to come from veterans Marty Haws and Andy Toolson, a pair of players whose primary instructions in the past have been to get the ball to Smith.
"Walking into the every arena in the league is going to be a major chore," said Reid.
Other returning starters include forward Steve Schreiner and guard Kevin Santiago.
With Smith gone the Cougars plan to spread the wealth. But if a lot of people don't get better fast, it won't be the best of years in Provo.
Air Force: Although the Falcons retained their franchise player, guard Raymond Dudley, things could be spotty at the foot of the Ramparts. Coach Reggie Minton has indicated he will be asking Dudley to do more things, including, at times, scoring. That from a player who averaged 27 points a game a year ago.
The entire front line is gone, leaving Minton to worry who will fetch the ball if Dudley - a 46 percent shooter from the three-point line - happens to miss. He will start proven guard Jeff Bowling at the other guard, former reserve Aaron Benson at one inside spot and last year's sixth man, Dale French, up front. "The fifth starter, I don't have a clue at this point," said Minton.
At least the Falcons didn't overschedule themselves after finishing a surprising sixth last year. On their list of opponents are such forgettables as Valparaiso, Doane, Mesa State, Regis, Adams State and Missouri-Kansas City. It's enough to make even the Falcons optimistic.
Utah: The Utes lost Boo Singletary, Jimmy Madison and Mitch Smith to expired eligibility and Mark Lenoir to the grade demons. That leaves Josh Grant to score points.
"I like the team down the line a few years," said Coach Rick Majerus, "but right now our highest priority is to get some players in."
Until then, Majerus must make do. Grant, who averaged seven rebounds and 10 points a game, is in need of changes if he is to please the first-year Ute coach. "I like Josh, but he's soft. He likes to go outside and shoot it," said Majerus.
The key to Utah's success could well be how well point guard Tommy Connor recovers from the back surgery that kept him out last year.
But with the late start Majerus got in recruiting, he's doomed to make the best of what he's got. What he's got is a team that went 16-17 last year.
San Diego State: With seven lettermen lost, including 6-10 center Mitch McMullen, the Aztecs are taking on a new look with new players. "You'll see a different type of team than the last 12 years," said longtime WAC coach Jim Brandenberg.
The only notable returnee is guard Michael Best. Center Michael Dow (7-1) has been having back problems, but if he is able to play, the Aztecs may go back to their old low post attack.
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(Additional information)
WAC media poll
1. UTEP
2. New Mexico
3. Hawaii
4. Colorado State
5. Wyoming
6. BYU
7. Air Force
8. Utah
9. San Diego State