Nov. 2, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Four returning starters will have any basketball team excited about the upcoming season, but when those four starters are upperclassmen expectations are even more elevated.

Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team has been picked to win the American Southwest Conference West Division. If they are able to come through with that, it would be the first time in school history.

What leads those expectations are four battle-tested upperclass starters in seniors Matt Brackett and Zach Pickelman and juniors James Peters and Mardochee Jean.

Pickelman was an All-ASC West first-team selection last season and led the Cowboys with an average of 17.6 points. He already has topped the 1,000-point mark for his career and is expected to be one of the top players in the conference.

"Zach is our go-to guy," said sixth-year head coach Dylan Howard. "We rely on him to make big shots for us. He shoots over 40 percent from 3-point range and over 80 percent at the foul line. He will have the bulls eye on his back every time we take the floor."

Pickelman is helped by his frontcourt running mate Mardochee Jean. The 6-8 junior from Houston set an HSU and ASC record with 99 blocked shots last season and he also averaged a double-double with 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per outing. He was named to the all-South region team.

"Mardochee is the best big man in the league," said Howard. "If he improves at the free throw line and finishes a little higher percentage you are looking at someone that can average 18-20 points a game. He has worked hard on his game in the offseason and I expect him to be one of the top players in the league."

Junior James Peters is back as the shooting guard for the third straight season. He averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was the top perimeter defender in the ASC West. He also led the team in assists with 70.

"James can defend as well as anybody in the conference," said Howard. "He has the ability to be a double-digit scorer. When he puts the ball on the floor and goes to the basket there are very few people in the league that can keep him from getting to the basket. He has a great first step and he shots the ball alright. If he is assertive on offense we are very hard to guard as a team."

Senior Matt Brackett will finally get his chance to run the show at point guard. He has split time each of the last two years. The Cowboys are 20-9 when he starts the last two years and are 13-10 when he does not. He ranks 10th in the non-scholarship era at HSU in assists with 147.

"Matt is a senior and a leader on this team and the guys respond to him," said Howard. "He has to be able to handle the pressure defense we will see. If he does that we will have a good year. I expect him to be one of the league leaders in assists. He can also knock down open shots when teams sag on Zach and Mardochee. He shot 39 percent from 3-point range last season."

"Those four guys were here all summer long and they were working out at 7 in the morning, just working out and improving their game," said Howard. "They really want to win."

Having a strong nucleus is a key, but what you surround that with will be the make or break factor in a good season and a great season. Howard has surrounded the Big Four with options any coach would love to have.

If he wants to go small freshman Mike Dinkins will start at the three. Dinkins is a physically strong player that can create his own shot, get to the rim and also shot the ball from distance. He is also polished defensively for a freshman.

If he wants to go with a bigger lineup he can move Pickelman to the three, Mardochee Jean to the four and stick his 6-9 brother Dan into the game. Dan is a solid rebounder, shot blocker and defender and is good around the basket. He is also one of the best athletes on the team. He can go with 6-6, 230, pound center Ryan Ocheskey if he wants more beef. Ocheskey can score and can also step out and shoot a little bit.

Sophomore Charlie Pannell gives him the option to go bigger with another scorer. Pannell is the best shooter on the team and has worked hard in the weight room to get stronger. He is also hard to guard on the post with his array of turnaround post moves. He can step out and consistently shoot the 3-pointer.

"We basically have four guys that will split up that other starting spot depending on match-ups. All four of them bring a different piece to the puzzle and that is nice to have."

Freshman Steven Luckey will back up Brackett at the point guard. Sophomore Tom Horn has really improved his body and his game in the offseason and is making a strong run at minutes at the two and three.

"Tom really worked hard in the offseason. He obviously got stronger and he has really improved his shot as far as getting a quicker release. He is really getting after on defense as well. He has earned more playing time with his hard work."

McMurry transfer Derek Faught, freshman Harrison Eaddy and sophomore Trent Martin will also look for playing time on the wing.

"I have been impressed by everyone on the team, as far as bringing intensity to practice every day," said Howard. "We have 13 players on the roster and I can see all of them playing a role on the court. They have worked hard. We have more depth than ever before."

The Cowboys have put together a challenging schedule designed to get them into the NCAA Tournament. HSU will play defending national champion Virginia Wesleyan and Ripon in a post-Christmas Tournament at Mary Hardin-Baylor. HSU will also play regional foes Southwestern and Trinity, marking the first time they have played an entire Division III schedule.

"We are playing the best teams in the region," said Howard. "I think if we can play like a veteran team should play we have a great chance at going to the NCAA Tournament, which would be big for this program. We have veteran guys that understand you have to take care of your home court and also be able to go on the road in tough environments and get the wins you are supposed to and also steal a few you aren't favored to win."

The Cowboys have lofty goals for a team that has made only one conference tournament in the history of the ASC. However, they have the right mix of veterans and newcomers to match up with any style. If the Cowboys can do that, it could be a record-setting year for the HSU men's basketball team.

"I like this team. They are my most complete team I have had here at HSU and they want to win as bad as any team I have been around. It helps when your best players are your hardest workers. They proved that in the offseason and we hope it pays dividends during the year."