Basketball season - well, at least practice - starts Friday for NCAA programs around the country.

In Idaho, it's been a while since there has been this much anticipation leading up to a basketball season. The state's three men's programs all have championship aspirations.

Here are some questions, observations and things to watch as teams prepare for the season:

WHY THE OPTIMISM?

The men's programs at BSU and Idaho made postseason appearances last season and return the bulk of their teams.

BSU's Greg Graham welcomes back full-time starters at point guard (Anthony Thomas), forward (Paul Noonan) and center (split by Kurt Cunningham and Ike Okoye).

Don Verlin starts his second season at Idaho and All-WAC point guard Mac Hopson is one of four returning starters back for the Vandals, fresh off their first winning season since 1998-99.

Idaho State returns four senior starters and fourth-year coach Joe O'Brien has eight seniors on his roster.

WHERE ARE THE TEAMS PICKED TO FINISH?

The WAC will unveil its preseason polls Tuesday.

Preseason publications are all over the place. Idaho is picked as high as second and as low as seventh, while BSU has been spotted anywhere from fourth to eighth.

The WAC is expected to be a stronger league from top to bottom this year. Last season, BSU and Idaho finished in a tie for third place.

The Big Sky releases its polls next week. Most publications have Idaho State in the middle of the pack.

WHICH NEW FACE WILL HELP BSU MEN MOST?

Expect a trio of junior college transfers - guard Westly Perryman and forwards Daequon Montreal and Robert Arnold - to contribute the most.

Perryman, a shooting guard, has the best chance to start.

Arnold sat out last season after enrolling at semester break, giving him a head start. He can play inside and outside, making him a versatile threat.

Montreal, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, gives the Broncos another scoring/rebounding threat.

GRAHAM HAS LINEUP OPTIONS GALORE

Cunningham and Okoye, both 6-foot-9 posts, could play at the same time if the Broncos want to go big. Or they can be paired with 6-11 Zack Moritz. Or you could see a lineup with Thomas, Perryman and Arnold in the backcourt if Graham wants to be smaller and quicker.

Graham isn't exaggerating when he says this is his deepest and most athletic team during his tenure.

GEM STATE FRESHMAN TO WATCH

Idaho forward Corey Stern is expected to earn a spot in the rotation and could be the only true freshman to make a mark this season. BSU forward Sam Hicks (6-9, 259 pounds) may redshirt this season.

THREE THINGS IDAHOFANS SHOULD FEAR

1. Idaho won't sneak up on anyone this season. After years of no pressure, the Vandals will get most teams' best shot.

2. There's no such thing as too much depth, but Verlin will have a hard time finding a regular rotation because of the pieces he added. Idaho has three transfers who sat out last season, as well as five other newcomers. Will chemistry be as strong as it was a year ago?

3. Idaho likely will start two point guards - Mac Hopson and Steffan Johnson. Johnson, a transfer from Pacific, will play shooting guard and spell Hopson at point. Can the two coexist?