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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New coach likes what he’s getting into at Eastern



 (The Spokesman-Review)

The whistle sounded the same and the man blowing it was familiar, but it is definitely a different combination as the Eastern Washington men’s basketball team sets out to build on its most successful Division I season.

The welcoming whistle was blown by Mike Burns when the Eagles reported for the first time as members of the exclusive Big Dance Club.

Burns replaces Ray Giacoletti, the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, who used the Eagles’ first appearance in the NCAA Tournament to jump to Utah.

Burns comes to Eastern from Washington State, but he was only with the Cougars one year after three seasons in Cheney.

“There is a little more anxiety now,” the affable Burns said. “I was always the guy patting Ray on the back saying, ‘It’s going to be OK.’ Now I’m the guy needing those pats on the back.”

One thing that hasn’t changed, even with three starters gone from a 17-13 team, is the way the Eagles go about their business.

“These kids approach lifting weights, conditioning and practice with a sense of urgency,” Burns said. “They work hard. They have a winning attitude. We had that prior to the NCAA Tournament, but the NCAA Tournament obviously validates that attitude.

“Philosophically, Ray and I were always very much on the same page. If people would come to practices, they would look very similar.”

What Burns hopes to incorporate from a year with Dick Bennett at WSU is subtle.

“I don’t know that there is one thing, but there are many things,” he said. “The thing I enjoyed most was just observing how he could exert his will on his basketball team. His team, by the end of the season, reflected all the intangible qualities that he wanted them to. I hope I can do that half as good with these guys as he did with that WSU squad.”

Eastern, which won 14 of its last 18 games after a 3-9 start, rolled through the Big Sky Conference with an 11-3 record, four games clear of a four-way tie for second. EWU, home for the Big Sky tournament for the first time after finishing second five straight seasons, beat Weber State by 19 and Northern Arizona by 12 to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The 15th-seeded Eagles lost to No. 2 seed Oklahoma State, the third-ranked team in the country, 75-56 after being tied at halftime in its first-round game in Kansas City, Mo.

The Eagles return two full-time starters, led by versatile 6-foot-7 forward Marc Axton, a two-time all-conference pick. Axton, who has started 71 straight games, led the Eagles in scoring seven times, rebounding nine times and assists 11 times last year.

“Axe is one of the premier players in the conference and I think on the West Coast,” his coach said.

Matt Nelson, a 6-8 forward, was the league Freshman of the Year, following in the footsteps of Axton. Danny Pariseau, a 5-11 junior, is penciled in at point guard after starting the last seven games last year.

“Those are three spots that seem like they’re taken care of, but those guys have to perform every day to ensure that,” Burns said.

After that it’s up in the air to replace Alvin Snow, EWU’s first league MVP and first three-time all-league pick, and Brendon Merritt, the Big Sky tournament MVP. Josh Bernard started 22 games before he was slowed by an injury. Gregg Smith also finished his eligibility.

Eight lettermen are joined by three true freshmen, two junior college transfers and one redshirt freshman. One freshman, guard Matt Penoncello from Moscow, Idaho, could redshirt because of a balky back. Freshmen Rodney Stuckey and Nike Livi are sitting out as academic nonqualifers.

“We have great chemistry and great cohesion with this group,” Burns said. “That’s something I’m not sure you have every place in America.”

The Eagles play one exhibition game, against Central Washington, on Nov. 13. They open the season Nov. 20 at Wichita State. The first game at Reese Court is Dec. 1 against Cascade, one of only four home games before league play begins in January. Road games include Washington and a matchup with Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl Classic after Christmas.