Here is a team-by-team look at men's college basketball in the Western Athletic Conference in their predicted order of finish:

Nevada
Coach: Mark Fox, fifth year
Last year's record: 21-12, 12-4 conference
Returning starters: 2
Outlook: Nevada has been a consistent and winning program under the direction of Mark Fox, who enters his fifth season at the helm after taking over when Trent Johnson departed for Stanford. This might be his most solid club yet. Although Wolfpack fans cringe at the prospect of what might have been had center JaVale McGee not opted for the NBA, the remaining nucleus and incoming recruiting class are more than enough to make Nevada the WAC favorite. Fox landed a coup when local star Luke Babbitt, a McDonald's All-American, decided to stay close to home and play for Nevada. He should start right away. Fellow local product Armon Johnson, last year's WAC Freshman of the Year, teams with returnee Brandon Fields to form the WAC's most imposing backcourt. Last year was a bit of a disappointment by Fox's standards in that Nevada did not reach the NCAA Tournament and mustered a four-way tie for first in a conference it probably should have won. Both of those outcomes should change this season. Another plus for bettors is that Fox's teams usually are very dependable on the road; look for value there. However, the Wolfpack slipped to 15-17 ATS overall last year.

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Utah State
Coach: Stew Morrill, 11th year
Last year's record: 24-11, 12-4
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: Long one of the WAC's most successful programs, Utah State has been a model of consistency under coach Stew Morrill using a stifling defense and his preferred half-court style. Although the Aggies lost the school's all-time scoring leader in Jaycee Carroll, they do return a good core of players led by forward Gary Wilkinson, a second-team All-WAC selection last season. Sophomore forward Tai Wesley (10 points, 4.5 rebounds per game) returns, and sophomore point guard Pooh Williams is expected to make an impact in a starting role.

New Mexico State
Coach: Marvin Menzies, second year
Last year's record: 21-14, 12-4
Returning starters: 2
Outlook: After former coach Reggie Theus bolted to the NBA after just one season as head coach, it would have been easy for the Aggies to take a step back in their progression. Instead, they plugged right along under Marvin Menzies, finishing in a tie for first place in the WAC and giving their fans hope that the program still is headed in the right direction. Despite losing scoring leader Justin Hawkins to graduation, New Mexico State does return some experience. Expect the Aggies to rely on versatile forward Jonathan Gibson, a junior who averaged 12.2 points per game last season. Sophomore forward Herb Pope averaged 11 points in just 16 appearances, and highly touted freshman forward Troy Gillenwater is expected to make an immediate impact.

San Jose State
Coach: George Nessman, fourth year
Last year's record: 13-19, 4-12
Returning starters: 5
Outlook: This might be the make-or-break year for coach George Nessman, who hasn't had much more success than his predecessors. A promising start to last season ended when the Spartans lost their last five WAC games. But the silver lining is that they are the only team in the WAC to return all five starters, and have a mix of experienced veterans and talented underclassmen. In addition to the starting core that includes leading scorer C.J. Webster, a 6-9 center who went for 11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season, the Spartans add guard Adrian Oliver, a transfer from Washington who is expected to be an impact playmaker.

Fresno State
Coach: Steve Cleveland, fourth year
Last year's record: 13-19, 5-11
Returning starters: 1
Outlook: Steve Cleveland's club followed up a 22-win season with a clunker because of players missing time due to injury and, of all things at Fresno State, off-court problems. Imagine that. But a few talented recruits are on campus, and transfer Sylvester Seay from Arizona State should start right away. Sophomore forward Brandon Webster is expected to develop into a go-to guy, and returning guard Dwight O'Neill averaged 8.8 points last season. Bulldogs were a dismal 8-19 ATS last season.

Boise State
Coach: Greg Graham, seventh year
Last year's record: 25-9, 12-4
Returning starters: 1
Outlook: Last year the Broncos were a pleasant surprise, finishing in the tie for first and managing an impressive 25-win season. But it might be back to rebuilding mode for Greg Graham's club, which returns just one starter. Point guard Anthony Thomas notched 141 assists last season.

Louisiana Tech
Coach: Kerry Rupp, second year
Last year's record: 6-24, 3-13
Returning starters: 3
Outlook: Rupp's first year was predictably rough, but this one likely should be a step forward. Guard Kyle Gibson and his 16.5 points per game return, as do two other starters. Transfers David Jackson from Idaho and former Nebraska player Jamel White should help out.

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Hawaii
Coach: Bob Nash, second year
Last year's record: 11-19, 7-9
Returning starters: 1
Outlook: Forward Bill Amis is the only returning starter, but three others who saw some action last year are back. The Warriors have high hopes for forward Roderick Flemings, who was a junior college All-American last year before transferring to Hawaii. The Warriors were just 9-18 ATS last year.

Idaho
Coach: Don Verlin, first year
Last year's record: 8-21, 5-11
Returning starters: 1
Outlook: The Vandals haven't had a winning season in 10 years, and this club does not look like the one poised to break the streak. Verlin took over a team in turmoil and immediately dismissed the team's top two players for off-court incidents. Most of his personnel is unknown; Washington State transfer Mac Hopson is one bright spot.