Idaho State University fans are hoping that new head coach Bill Evans will be the one to take the men’s basketball program to the next level.
Under Evans, Bengal fans hope ISU consistently competes for the Big Sky Championship and not be satisfied with just a conference tournament appearance every three or four years.
They return three seniors; Melvin Morgan, Sherrod Baldwin and Jakub Kusmieruk, and three juniors; Andre Hatchett, Nick Mason and Dejan Kostur.
However, the Bengals lost their leading scorer, rebounder and passer when Chase Grabau, Kenny McGowen and Abner Moreira graduated.
For ISU to make it back to the conference tournament and compete for the championship it will have to replace the loss of the departed seniors.
Evans likes his returners, but he needs to get better production out them in order to replace the departed players.  Most notably out of Kusmieruk and Hatchett, two players who are penciled in to start on opening night.
Last year Bengal fans were disappointed in the production of Kusmierek. He appeared out of shape and was bothered by nagging injuries all season.  If Evans can get consistent play out of Kusmierek this year then this team can be a threat in the Big Sky.
Evans said the key with Kusmierek, will be limiting his minutes, only playing him in four-minute stretches.
While a starting lineup hasn’t been decided yet, the coach said last Saturday that he would go with Kusmierek at center, Chris Hansen and Hatchett at the forward spots with Tomas Sanchez and Morgan playing guard.
He also said that he would consider going with a bigger lineup if he can get away with it defensively.   He would go with a combo of Kusmierek, and either Neveij Walters or Avibakuro Preh along side the 7-4 center.
The Bengals will kick off the season with an exhibition game against Montana Tech on Thursday Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym.