2000-01 record: 10-18; 3-13 in WAC (9th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Green 11.8 ppg | Rebounds: Jackson 4.8 rpg | Assists: Hazel 3.7 apg | FG %: Bayless 49.1% | 3pt %: Green 34.3% | FT %: Green 79.6% 00-01 Stats: Nevada | 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
Better seasons lie ahead for third-year coach Trent Johnson, but this one could be another downer in terms of final record.

The Wolf Pack finished their first WAC season 10-18 overall and 3-13 in conference and far too young to make an impact. Worse yet, Nevada won just one road game in 13 tries last year.

But four starters return, despite Nevada still being more scrappy than skillful at most spots.

"Last season was good in that a lot of our guys learned while playing significant minutes," Johnson said. "We had three freshmen playing a lot. Now, we get that game experience back, which will definitely help us become a more competitive team in this league."

Johnson likely won't have to use a musical chairs approach this season when deciding on a starting lineup. The strength lies in his backcourt, where junior Terrance Green is much better than his 37 percent shooting last season suggests.

Help up front should come from newcomers like Australian sophomore center Jason Eversteyn (7-foot-1, 245 pounds). It's this type of body that Johnson wants to build his program around.

Nevada has non-conference wins against Nevada-Las Vegas and Washington State last season to help build some confidence. Also, the Wolf Pack took Tulsa deep into the second half twice before falling.

"Even as the last-place team in the WAC," said Johnson. "I'd take my chances against other teams from some of the bigger conferences."

What we like: Andre Hazel and Gary Hill-Thomas. Both freshmen guards last season, they took their lumps and will be much better for it. Hazel averaged 8.9 points and ranked fourth among conference players in steals (51) and eighth in assists (3.7 average). Hill-Thomas averaged 7.2 points. Each must join Green in shooting better and taking better care of the ball, but there are worse things to have in this league than experienced guards.

What we don't like: The shooting. Check out some of these percentages from last season: Hazel (39), Hill-Thomas (40.5), Corey Jackson (48.6), Sean Paul (47.5). To win in any league, you have to make shots on a more consistent basis. Nevada's youth likely had much to do with the cold numbers, which have to change as the kids grow up.

The bottom line: It will be a few years before Nevada contends for a place among the league's upper tier, but Johnson has the program pointed in the correct direction. There is a difference between young and inexperienced, and you can expect Nevada to win more than three league games this year. Throw in a few upsets, and six to seven WAC victories would be a noticeable improvement.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Terrance Green	Jr.	G	6-2/180	PTS: 11.8 | REB: 3.1 | AST: 1.8
Andre Hazel	So.	G	5-11/170	PTS: 8.9 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 3.7
Garry Hill-Thomas	So.	G	6-3/185	PTS: 7.2 | REB: 2.2 | AST: 1.4

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Richard Stirgus	F	6-5/190	PTS: 7.9 | REB: 8.0 | AST: 1.3
Joao Santos	F	6-8/210	PTS: 7.4 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 0.8

Nevada Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
London Wilson	G	5-11	Sparks, Nev./Yakima Valley CC
Kevin Pinkney	F	6-8	Colton, Calif./San Bernardino H.S.
Jerry Petty	G	5-11	Seattle/North Idaho College