Coach Roger Reid will unveil the 1994-95 BYU basketball team tonight during the annual Varsity Preview at the Marriott Center. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The Cougars return four starters from last season's 22-10 team that participated in the postseason NIT and are a preseason favorite to challenge for the WAC title.All-WAC forward Russell Larson, a 6-foot-11 senior, heads the list of returnees. Larson, who appears to be recovering nicely from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, averaged 20 points per game last season. Other returning starters include senior forward Shane Knight (6-9), junior center/forward Kenneth Roberts (6-8) and junior point guard Randy Reid (6-2).
In addition, lettermen Mark Durrant (6-6 forward) and guards Robbie Reid (6-1) and Craig Wilcox (6-5) are back.
Four redshirts from last season are joining the team to add additional depth to an already deep frontcourt. Cory Reader, a 7-0 center from Australia; Jeff Campbell (6-9 forward), Bret Jepsen (6-10 center) and forward Grant Berges (6-8) will be ready to play.
The highlight of tonight's preview will be a scrimmage.
BYU will host a pair of exhibition games next week, against High Five America Nov. 16 and a foreign team Nov. 19. The first regular-season game will be against Oklahoma State in the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage Nov. 23.
The Cougars' home opener will be Dec. 3 against Nevada.