Have the oddsmakers been watching Pepperdine? We're not too sure! WCC sources knew this would be a rebuild job for new HC Ed Schilling after the dismissal of Lorenzo Romar and departure of almost every weapon from last year's team, some of whom becoming high-profile targets in the portal. With almost no returning nucleus save F Boubacar Coulibaly, Schilling has tried to fill the gaps with under-the-radar transfers. Only ex-SMU/USF F Stefan Todorovic (18.3 ppg) and ex-UOP G Moe Odum (11 ppg) have been pulling their weight for an offense barely scoring 64 ppg, shooting 40% from the floor or 30% beyond the arc. Jason Hooten has dealt with a lot of roster churn at NMSU, too, but no shame in losses to Dayton and UNLV, with returnees G Christian Cook (13.4 pgp) & F Robert Carpenter (12.8 ppg/8.4 rpg) looking like solid Aggie centerpieces. Play New Mexico State (at Mullett Arena, Tempe)