After a disappointing ending to a disappointing season, which featured Tech head coach Keith Richard's first losing season at the helm of the men's basketball program, the Bulldogs are anxiously waiting to turn things around and once again contend for the Western Athletic Conference crown.

Last year's sub-par 12-15 overall record, 9-9 WAC record and first-round dismissal in the WAC Tournament to Nevada was completely unfulfilling of the team's expectations.

However, Richard has once again found a way to recruit a fresh class of great talent and athleticism in his journey of returning the team to winning form and regaining the Bulldog fans' confidence.

The Bulldogs are off to a 2-2 start with wins over Jackson State and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The two loses came at the hands of Alabama and a heartbreaker at Northern Iowa where a 3-point buzzer beater downed Tech 72-75.

Even so, this new team has potential to have a fine season, and these new faces have quickly made names for themselves and produced quality numbers for Richard and the Bulldogs.

Freshman starting forward Paul Millsap, the prep-superstar, Mr. Basketball for the state of Louisiana and class 4-A state MVP as a senior out of Grambling Lab High School, has stepped up to have a huge impact on the team thus far this season.

Through four games, Millsap is averaging a double-double -- 10.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He is a very talented player with tremendous potential to become a huge star at Tech. Great athleticism, tenacious defense, aggressiveness on the boards and good work ethic are just a few qualities the freshman has to offer. Millsap recorded four blocks at UAPB and is shooting 73 percent (16-22) from the field.

Also among the new faces are guards Donnell Allick and JueMichael Young who have also had immediate impacts in replacing the five lost seniors from last year's squad.

Allick, who played shooting guard at Seward Junior College last year, is being exercised as Tech's starting point guard. Averaging 13 points and five boards a game, he provides a scoring threat as well as hustle for rebounds.

However, being our point guard, we'd love to see a few more assists out of him. Allick has just six assists on the season to go along with 19 turnovers. It'll take time for him to adjust to his new role and the demand of leadership by the point guard position.

Young has produced only nine points per game so far, which is less than Richard and company had hoped.

Richard depends heavily on his shooting guard to be efficient and put up big numbers in the scoring column. With his nose for scoring, Young should begin to put up bigger numbers.

The fourth newcomer having impact on the team is forward Barry Thompson. Joining Millsap and returning forwards Wayne Powell and Jeremy Johnston in the paint, the Bulldogs rely on Thompson to come in and provide valuable playing time off the bench.

Thompson is a versatile player who can hit from inside and outside. However, Thompson can be a little timid in crashing with the big boys and fighting for rebounds.

Corey Dean, the hometown junior guard out of Ruston High School, is leading the team in scoring with 16 points per contest but has also chipped in four rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Dean's hardnosed, scrappy style of play has tremendously intensified Tech's overall emotion. I love his aggression and tenacity in crashing the boards.

Watch for Dean to rise to stardom and lead this young underrated squad into a competitive season in the WAC.

Josh Milton is a junior journalism major from Ruston and serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.