GAME NOTES: The Long Beach State 49ers face a rigorous test in their season opener on Friday, as they take on the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center.

No Big West team has been more successful in this decade than the 49ers, who had three first-place finishes from 2011-13 with an NCAA Tournament bid and two NIT appearances in that time frame, but the 2013-14 season was a step backward for the program. Although they finished third in the Big West Conference, they also ended the season with a losing record at 15-17. However, LBSU's sub-.500 ledger was in large part due to its tremendously difficult non-conference slate, which included nine power conference opponents not including then No. 10 VCU.

BYU will be tipping off its 10th season under coach Dave Rose, who holds a program record winning percentage (74.8) and is second in school history in career wins at 232. The Cougars have reached the postseason in nine consecutive seasons coming into the 2014-15 campaign. Rose's squad finished second in the West Coast Conference and with 23 wins last year, but it will have to make up for significant production elsewhere after a few notable losses, including guard Matt Carlino (13.7 ppg) transferring to Marquette and forward Eric Mika (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg) going on an LDS mission.

The Cougars have won their last three meetings versus LBSU to take a 5-4 all- time series lead. This will be the first time these schools collide on the hardwood since Nov. 14, 2008.

LBSU, which scored 69.9 ppg and allowed 70.5 ppg last season, hoped to rebound this time around behind eighth-year head coach Dan Monson and an experience roster led by preseason All-Conference selection Mike Caffey (16.2 ppg, 4.3 apg). Former UCLA Bruin Tyler Lamb (15.4 ppg) is also a strong scorer, and he and Caffey combined to drain 86 3-pointers. A.J. Spencer (9.1 ppg), Travis Hammonds (6.5 ppg) and David Samuels (6.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg) are all back to fill important roles, and incoming graduate transfer Eric McKnight (6-9, 220), previously a product of Florida Gulf Coast and Iowa State, is expected to see plenty of playing time in the frontcourt.

The WCC Player of the Year last season, Tyler Haws (6-5, 200) finished sixth in the nation in scoring at 23.2 ppg. With Carlino and Mika no longer in the picture, the BYU shooting guard could very well increase his already impressive scoring average. Rose hopes that versatile guard Kyle Collinsworth (14.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6 apg) returns to full form after having ACL surgery last year, as he would be the Cougars' best option at point guard. Scoring in the backcourt won't be a problem, but BYU must find it along the frontline. Forward Nate Austin (6-11, 230) is a force on the boards (7.9 rpg), but doesn't possess low post scoring ability (3.8 ppg). Freshman Isaac Neilson (6-10, 230) could be called upon to shoulder the scoring burden down low and keep teams honest when defending BYU's perimeter game, much like Mika did a season ago.

While the 49ers are going to be a very dangerous mid-major opponent due to their veteran starting lineup, which is comprised of four seniors and a sophomore, they may have a little too much on their plate in their season opener. The Cougars are prone to being upset if they have to become a one-man team offensively, but Haws should have enough help to get his senior season off to a positive start.