A Boise State preview

Simply put, Boise State is rebuilding with an eye on the approaching Mountain West Conference play. The absolute duty of Coach Leon Rice and his staff is to bring in better athletes plus players with greater potential. Otherwise, the Broncos will suffer bruises and breaks from the slings and arrows let loose by the BYUs, New Mexicos, San Diego States, TCUs, UNLVs and Utahs.

But first comes the 2010-2011 season.

For this season. PTW expects the Broncos to be competitive in conference action. This prognosis is based on the solid-and-getting better play of La'Shard Anderson (provided he quits arm wrestling with police officers) and Robert Arnold. The former topped the Western Athletic Conference in steals and, with an uptick in shooting accuracy and less turnovers, could easily vie for a second-team all-WAC spot. Adding five or six more percentage points to his three-point range will allow Arnold to do the same. He's a terrific offensive rebounder and theoretically that should produce a number of short, makeable putbacks.

Another key for Boise's success is enjoying the emergence of one or two players (Anderson and Arnold?) as go-to guys, talents who can create for themselves and teammates, especially when the offense stagnates.

Here's the BSU roster:

*** as has been pointed out in the comments section, remove Paul Noonan from the newcomers and place him in the returnee area -- sorry to cause any distress to the Noonan family

Backcourt/Wing

returnees

* La'Shard Anderson 6-foot-1 188  Sr - the candidate to be the go-to guy, his goal is offensive consistency and the taking of less three-point attempts unless he can better his 30% proficiency from long range

* Robert Arnold  6-foot-6 170 Sr - it''s perplexing why he is at 30% on his treys and that must improve if he is to lead the Broncos in scoring -- as should be

* G. A. Hill 5-foot-8 140 Fr (walk-on):  he won't have muc of an opportunity with Anderson and Nichols on the roster

newcomers

* Thomas Bropleh 6-foot-5 220 Fr - a great student and solid player who expanded his game from back-to-the-basket to facing it and now displays three-point range, his body is ready for the WAC so how quickly he learns the system is the key to his initial playing time

* Tre Nichols 6-foot-0 180 Jr - he's a more svelte version of fellow Texas Anthony Thomas and it's he and Anderson leading the charge at the point

* Paul Noonan 6-foot-7 214 Sr - Noonan has more than likely maxed out his potential which stands as a catch-and-shoot marksman, so Anderson and Nichols need to drive and dish in order to facilitate Noonan

* Westley Perryman 6-foot-3 183 Jr - he's our candidate to surprise at the two guard, being athletic and with shotmaking/point producing skills

* Justin Salzwedel 6-foot-2 184 Sr - another player who won't get on the court much

* Drew Wiley 6-foot-7 redshjirt junior, sitting out this season

Frontcourt

The BSU centers and power forwards are untested in the case of the backups.

returnees

* Daequon Montreal PF 6-foot-7 228 Sr - he has the best chance to break out as the top frontline scorer and his offensive boardplay is already outstanding

* Zack Moritz C 6-foot-11 245 Sr - Moritz has his physical and skill limitations but can be effective when used in short minutes

newcomers

* Sean Imadyi 6-foot-7 207 Sr - an older redshirt who is best as an in-the-paint shooter, he is athletic but lacks strength

* Sam Hicks 6-foot-9 256 Fr - a CA HS redshirt who wouldn't surprise us if he becomes a starter at some point this season due to thecurrent  roster makeup

* Isaac Oeltjen 7-foot-1 230 Fr MN HS - a project with a degree of promise, he may or may not redshirt in the coming go-around

PTW's best guess at a BSU initial starting five:

* La'Shard Anderson
* Westley Perryman
* Robert Arnold
* Monttreal Daequon
* Zack Moritz