GAME NOTES: Billy Wright's first season as Western Illinois' head coach begins Friday when the Fighting Leathernecks host the Pacific Tigers in a non- conference tilt.

Wright has a young squad on his hands, with only six players, including two seniors, returning from last season's disappointing 10-20 team.

Those poor results were preceded by a pair of postseason appearances and prompted a changing of the guard in Wright, who served as an assistant at WIU from 2008-2013.

Garrett Covington is Wright's best go-to scoring option. Covington averaged 14.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg last season and was named to the preseason All-Summit League First Team. Jabari Sandifer (9.0 ppg) was also stellar as a freshman last season, but Wright will have nine newcomers to mold.

Pacific had an uneven campaign in Ron Verlin's first year at the helm. Despite finishing above .500 (18-16) and advancing to the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, the Tigers struggled to a 6-12 mark in WCC action -- its first in the highly competitive conference.

To make matters worse, the Tigers lost about 80 percent of their scoring from a team that put up a modest 73.1 ppg. Key losses include Tony Gill (11.4 ppg), Andrew Bock (11.3 ppg) and Sama Taku (11.1 ppg). Sophomore guard T.J. Wallace (7.0 ppg) returns as the team's top offensive threat, but must carry the load after starting just three games a year ago. Four junior college transfers -- Dulani Robinson (5-8, 165), Alec Kobre (6-2, 185), Sami Eleraky (7-0, 245) and Eric Thompson (6-8, 240) -- have been added to fill the void.

Wright and Verlin are in for long seasons with their green rosters, and a win on opening night would no doubt be a pleasant start for either school. With the home crowd and the best player on the court -- Covington -- the Leathernecks should have just enough to pull out a victory.