4:15pm | The collegiate basketball season is about ready to get started, and with practices opening this week it was time for coaches to gather around and dish about their teams.

Men’s and women’s coaches from around the Big West Conference gathered at ESPNZone in Downtown Disney today to answer questions from the media about the upcoming season. Unfortunately, due to budget restraints, coaches from northern California schools such as Pacific and even Santa Barbara are not able to attend. A pity, especially because those two teams are expected to be atop the men’s standings this season.

But also in the mix will be the Long Beach State 49ers, who have some hurdles to overcome but do figure to play a prominent role in shaping the conference this season. Certainly one of the most talented teams in the league, Long Beach State has the tools in place. Head coach Dan Monson said his upperclassmen will need to step up to bring this team to its potential.

“This is probably the most experienced returning class in the last four years,” said Monson, who is entering his fourth year leading Long Beach State and signed a contract extension over the summer.

He said that their five-man core is promising, but they’ll need to find another three players to contribute consistently off the bench. Combo guard Tristan Wilson figures to play into that role, but Monson says he hasn’t found those much-needed players yet.

That five-man core will be familiar to anyone who watched the squad last year. Juniors Casper Ware, Larry Anderson, Eugene Phelps and T.J. Robinson return for their junior years having logged extensive minutes since their first game as freshmen. Monson says that Anderson, Phelps and Robinson are in the best shape of their lives, without a doubt. Sharpshooter Greg Plater will likely round out the starting lineup. Those five made up 79.2% of the team’s scoring last year, and Monson said they’ll need help from the bench.

“We’ve got to get some younger guys some confidence,” Monson said. “We’ve got about a month to get guys comfortable.”

That can be difficult with some key players battling injuries. Center Mike Vantrimpont has seen few minutes in his first two years, but ankle trouble won’t help his development and the 7-footer is on crutches for at least another week. Forward Lin Chang didn’t make the splash that many expected last year, but is a skilled big man who could benefit the team if he can better adapt to the speed of the game. Chang had a second screw inserted into his foot recently after injuring it late last year. Junior transfer Edis Dervisevic is battling plantar fasciitis.

But the 49ers’ starting five may be the best in the conference next to Santa Barbara’s impressive returners. Long Beach had a chance for more success last year but lost games in confusing fashion at times and showed their youth. A better conference record could have landed the 49ers a better tournament ranking, which would have prevented them from having to play three games in three nights to reach the championship. Long Beach ran out of gas in the final and Santa Barbara finished an impressive season to take the trophy.

“If they’re not disappointed about the way last season ended then they’re playing on the wrong program for the wrong coach for the wrong reasons,” said Monson. “I don’t think that’s who these guys are. They know what the expectations are and I think they’re all here for the right reasons.”

The first practice of the season begins at 5:00pm this Friday in the Pyramid and is open to the public.