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NO. 1: WHO WILL LEAD AND WHO WILL SCORE?
The men lost four productive seniors and the emotional core from last year's NCAA Tournament team. Now they are counting on junior point guard Anthony Thomas, the team's long returning starter, to be a leader. Thomas can lead, but he needs to be a facilitator and not a scorer. That means Paul Noonan, Mark Sanchez and Aaron Garner will have to provide the points.
NO. 2: WAS LAST SEASON A ONE-YEAR WONDER?
Boise State tied for the regular-season title in the WAC and then took the men's tournament title to earn its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1994. At 25-8, it was one of the best seasons in school history. With four new starters, the Broncos are starting over in some ways. It took the seniors on last year's team several years before they came together. The same might be true of the current group. Boise State will find out quickly where it stands with a nonconference, pre-Christmas schedule that includes games at Siena, BYU and San Diego - all NCAA Tournament teams.
NO. 3: WILL JA'LARA WALKER BE A STAR?
The women should be solid in the backcourt, even without Jessica Thompson (out for the season with an injury). Walker, who averaged 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in conference play last season, has the potential to be a standout in the middle and give the Broncos an inside force - something they've lacked in the past. If she is not consistent, however, Boise State has lots of players vying for minutes in the post, including Janie Bos.
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