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Ogden • A new-look roster, but the same old expectations.

That's the predicament at Weber State, where coach Randy Rahe is starting his ninth year as the Wildcats' wildly success basketball coach.

After losing invaluable seniors Davion Berry and Kyle Tresnak to professional leagues in Europe, Rahe has only two starters and two other rotation regulars returning from last year's NCAA tournament team.

The cupboard isn't empty, however, and the Wildcats are again expected to contend for the Big Sky Conference championship they won last season.

"I'd say all eyes are on Weber State, until others prove differently," says Montana coach Travis DeCuire. "... Hands down they are the strongest program right now and we're all chasing them."

Rahe isn't so sure.

"I think six or seven teams can win it," he said. "It's more balanced this year than it was last year. ... That's going to make for a fun conference season. I don't think any game will be safe. You are going to have to come to play every night. The team that's most consistent is probably the one that comes through."

Weber State's chance to repeat will mostly depend on its core four — junior forward Joel Bolomboy, sophomore point guard Jeremy Senglin, sophomore wing Richaud Gittens and sophmore forward Kyndahl Hill.

Bolomboy, the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, has star potential.

A 6-foot-9, 230-pounder who can shoot from the three-point line, he had 11 points and 16 rebounds in Weber's 69-59 loss to Arizona in last spring's NCAA tournament.

Bolomboy is healthy, too, after suffering a knee injury during a summer-time try-out out for the Ukrainian national team.

"We thought it was worse at first but, thank God, it was only a bone bruise," Rahe said. "He's healthy and well right now and his skill level is getting better. His feel for the game is a little better. He has improved in areas we've asked him to improve. So he's doing well."

Senglin averaged 10.9 points per game last season, when he was named the Big Sky's Freshman of the Year. He was the first freshman to start a season-opener at Weber State since 1976.

Gittens and Hill improved sharply by the end of last season. Gittens averaged 6.9 points a game. In the second half against Arizona, he sparked a comeback that got the Wildcats as close as nine with just over four minutes left.

Rahe also expects physical senior center James Hajek and junior college transfers Chris Golden and Jaelyn Coston to make an impact.

"I like coaching this team," Rahe said. "I don't know how good we're going to be because we have some unknowns. But I like they way they've attacked practice. I like their work ethic. They're trying to do what we're asking them to do." —

Weber State men's basketball schedule

All times Mountain

Nov. 14 at Utah State 7 p.m.

Nov. 17 Presentation College 7:30 p.m.

x-Nov. 21 Illinois State 7 p.m.

x-Nov. 22/23 Old Dominion/LSU TBD

x-Nov. 24 TBD TBD

Dec. 1 Oral Roberts 7 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Texas-Arlington 1 p.m.

Dec. 13 BYU 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 Utah Valley 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 at Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Dec. 27 Bristol University 7 p.m.

Jan. 1 at Eastern Washington 3 p.m.

Jan. 3 at Idaho 8 p.m.

Jan. 8 Montana 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 Montana State 7 p.m.

Jan. 15 at Northern Arizona 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Southern Utah 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 Portland State 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 Sacramento State 7 p.m.

Jan. 29 at North Dakota 6 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Northern Colorado 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 at Idaho State 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 Southern Utah 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 Northern Arizona 7 p.m.

Feb. 19 at Montana State 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Montana 7 p.m.

Feb. 28 Idaho State 7 p.m.

March 5 Idaho 7 p.m.

March 7 Eastern Washington 7 p.m.

March 12-14 Big Sky Conference tournament TBD

x-U.S. Virginia Islands Paradise Jam, St. Thomas