2000-01 record: 17-14; 8-8 in Big West Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Jackson 17.4 ppg | Rebounds: Jackson 5.7 rpg | Assists: Nabors 3.3 apg | FG %: Morgan 59.1% | 3pt %: Jackson 40.3% | FT %: Jackson 78.6% 00-01 Stats: Boise State | WAC

		Wednesday, Nov. 7 The Broncos step it up a notch and join the WAC this year. To succeed, they need to find a way to improve their rebounding. Last year they got out-rebounded by three boards per game; they need to find a way to correct that. Richard Morgan and Abe Jackson have some size and should be their best rebounders, but averaging 5.7 and 3.3 per game, respectively -- that's not much.

Outlook
The Broncos have a goal for their first season in the WAC -- don't be Nevada of last year.

The Wolf Pack won only three conference games after arriving from the Big West in 2000. Now, it is Boise State who plays the role of new kid on the block. The Broncos should manage more than three league victories ... we think.

Defense has defined the teams of six-year coach Rod Jensen, whose Broncos have ranked among the nation's Top 25 teams defensively twice in the last three years. But now league opponents go from the likes of Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly and Idaho to Fresno State and Texas-El Paso and Tulsa.

Will the D still be as tough?

"We always want to define how we play first on defense," said Jensen. "We all know this is a much greater challenge than the (Big West). But our kids are excited to accept it and take it on."

Size and experience -- both of which Boise State has -- will help. Eight of the roster's 14 players are 6-foot-7 or taller and seven of the 14 are upper-classmen.

The Broncos return all-conference forward Abe Jackson, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.7 rebounds as a junior. Also, senior center Trever Tillman (6-foot-11, 260 pounds) should hold up against much better competition.

A replacement is needed for power forward Kejuan Woods and his 14.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Richard Morgan is one option. A senior, he spent most of his first three seasons playing center.

What we like: The frontcourt. If the Broncos are going to compete most nights, they have to pose some type of matchup problems. Jackson, Tillman and Morgan can do that. Jackson immediately becomes one of the WAC's best players after leading the Big West with 83 3-pointers last season. The key is Morgan, who while shooting 59 percent as a junior averaged just 3.5 boards. He needs to hit glass. Often and hard.

What we don't like: The backcourt. C.J. Williams is a junior point who missed last season with a knee injury. In his place, Joe Skiffer offered averages of 3.5 points and 3.2 assists as a sophomore. A healthy Williams and returning sophomore guard Booker Nabors (9.5 ppg, 3.3 apg) could make for a competent tandem, but this is a conference full of solid guards. Competent won't do most games.

The bottom line: Jensen can certainly hold his own among WAC coaches and having so many veteran players will help. But any first season in a new (and better) conference will brings its share of long nights. The Bulldogs are picked to finish seventh in the 10-team league. Sounds about right, with an outside chance at fifth or sixth.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Abe Jackson	Sr.	F	6-7/225	PTS: 17.4 | REB: 5.7 | AST: 1.6
Booker Nabors	So.	G	6-3/190	PTS: 9.5 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 3.3
Richard Morgan	Sr.	F	6-8/240	PTS: 7.2 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 0.9

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Kejuan Woods	F	6-6/205	PTS: 14.6 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 1.1
Delvin Armstrong	F	6-4/200	PTS: 9.5 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 1.4

Boise State Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Solomon Wyatt	G	6-1	Tacoma, Wash./Henry Foss H.S.
Jason Ellis	F	6-6	Kent, Wash./Kentridge H.S.