Pacific Getting Inside

Seasons change, players come and go, and still Pacific coach Bob Thomason keeps churning out 20-game winners. The Tigers have won 20 or more games six times in the past eight seasons, amassing a 172-88 record, three Big West Conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances over that span.

They finished one game out of first place each of the past two seasons, but a new season brings renewed expectations, and Thomason is trying to piece together another championship contender.

"We expect to be competing for the championship. There's no question about that," said Thomason, the dean of Big West coaches in his 22nd season at his alma mater. "I think this team has a chance to be better than last year's team. We're not better than last year's team right now, but I think we have a chance."

The Tigers lost an overtime thriller to Cal State Northridge in the championship game of the Big West Tournament last season, just missing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Instead, they went to the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and won two games before falling to Bradley in the semifinals. Their postseason run provided a nice sendoff for seniors Anthony Brown, Bryan LeDuc, Michael Kirby, Chad Troyer and James Doran.

It also helped Thomason season younger players such as forward Sam Willard and shooting guard Terrell Smith. Willard had a career-high 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a first-round win over Portland.

Smith had eight points, six rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes in a second-round victory over Idaho.

The Tigers may have a formidable frontline. Thomason could start Willard, a 6-9 junior, alongside Michael Nunnally, a 6-8 senior, with two junior college transfers, 6-9 junior Nyika Williams and 6-6 junior Pat Eveland, coming off the bench.

Nunnally started 29 games as a junior in 2007-08, averaging 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. He was suspended last season for his role in an on-campus incident involving a former member of the women's basketball team.

Willard started in Nunnally's place and developed nicely, averaging 7.4 points and 6.7 rebounds. Thomason is pleased with Willard's progress in the off-season.

"Sam Willard right now is our best scorer," he said.

Thomason also likes what he sees from Nunnally, saying he has developed a stronger post game to complement his size, quickness and leaping ability.

"Mike is doing great," Thomason said. "He's improved. His moves are a lot better inside. He's understanding the system better. He's got good strength. His right-hand jump hook is as good as his left-hand jump hook, which I think is really a positive for him.

"I think he's made great strides. I think he's got better peace of mind about himself as a basketball player, and I think he's ready to go."

The Tigers also return Joe Ford, a 6-6 senior with a 7-foot wingspan.

The reigning defensive Player of the Year in the Big West has played point guard, small forward and power forward during a college career that was nearly cut short because of injuries before he made a remarkable comeback last season.

Ford started at point guard and moved to small forward when Kirby returned from a first-semester suspension, averaging 4.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals.

Ford is not a 3-point threat and has lacked a reliable mid-range jump shot, but he has great hands and an instinctive ability to score around the basket.

The big question for Pacific is guard play, and more specifically perimeter shooting. The Tigers have to replace more firepower than any team in the Big West.

Troyer, LeDuc, Kirby and Doran combined to shoot 40.2 percent (210-of-523) from 3-point range last season. Returnees accounted for only 25 of the team's 243 3-pointers. Thomason usually has another shooter waiting in the wings, but his options may be limited this season unless a couple of newcomers come out firing.

Thomason identified senior point guard Lavar Neufville and junior shooting guard Terrell Smith as projected starters. Smith shot 44.4 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3-point range last season. Neufville shot 39 percent from the field and 29.4 percent beyond the arc.

Smith posted significantly higher percentages than Troyer, albeit with a fraction of the shots. Neufville's numbers pale in comparison to Kirby, who shot 45.9 percent overall and a sizzling 49.5 percent from 3-point range.

Thomason said Smith, junior college transfer Demetrece Young and freshman Allen Huddleston are great 3-point shooters, but he stressed that this group must demonstrate good shot selection.

"I think that's going to be a great thing for our team," Thomason said. "If we take good 3-point shots, I think we'll be a good 3-point shooting team. We don't have anyone like Chad Troyer and James Doran, but that's something we're going to have to develop because, if not, they're going to pack it in and make it tougher on the big guys."