GAME NOTES: The Air Force Falcons get set to take on the host Army Black Knights in the All-Military Classic first round Friday night at Christl Arena to open their 2014-15 basketball seasons.

Air Force took a few steps backward after the 2012-13 campaign, finishing last season with just a 6-12 record in the Mountain West Conference and a 12-18 mark overall. The team's offense ranked near the bottom of the league last year, but four returning starters should build on last season's disappointing turnout.

Army is looking to avenge last season's 91-70 loss at the hands of Boston University in the Patriot League Tournament, and should be able to improve on a 15-16 overall record this year with a ton of talent returning.

These two military programs don't have much of a history between them, with Air Force holding the all-time series lead, 4-2. The two sides met a year ago in the AMC in Lexington, Virginia, with the Falcons coming away with the 79-68 victory.

Air Force's offense was the biggest problem last season, as the team finished 10th in the Mountain West standings. The team ended the campaign with a 66.0 ppg mark, which ranked 283rd nationally. Leading scorer Tre Coggins is no longer on the team, but three players that averaged double digits a year ago will be making their return this season as they try to build on their roles. Kamryn Williams posted 10.1 ppg, and led the squad with 6.5 rpg. Max Yon was the only player to start all 30 games last season for the Falcons, netting 13.0 ppg, grabbing 3.5 rpg and dishing out 2.5 apg. And Marek Olesinski contributed 10.6 ppg with 4.9 rpg.

There are several other players who should see increased roles with the Falcons as they try to climb back toward the top of the Mountain West standings once again. Justin Hammonds (7.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg) will try to make good use of his senior season with Air Force, while Kyle Broekhuis, a sophomore forward, should be a valuable contributor after missing all of last year with an injury.

Things didn't look so great for Army a year ago when the Black Knights started the 2013-14 season at 1-6. But the team bounced back and finished with a 10-8 mark in Patriot League play, and made it to the conference's semifinal match in the league tournament where the Knights were dropped by Boston University. Coach Zack Spiker transformed the Knights into a top-notch offense that led the Patriot League in scoring with 72.4 ppg. Last year's conference player of the year, Kyle Wilson, is coming back for his junior campaign with Army after averaging 18.4 ppg.

The Black Knights are bolstered this season with the return of standouts Tanner Plomb (10.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Dylan Cox (9.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Kevin Ferguson (9.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 bpg). After traveling to Virginia last year, the Black Knights are playing the role of hosts for the AMC, which will give them some added momentum to start the season. With five players coming back this season that started at least 19 games a year ago, the Black Knights will be looking to take control of the Patriot League and push for the NCAA Tournament come season's end.

Air Force was able to take care of Army in the first game last season, but the Falcons may need a bit of an adjustment period for getting used to life after Coggins. The fact both teams have significant contributors coming back projects well for their seasons, but in this contest give the edge to Army, which is playing at home.