Here are three WAC story lines to watch as the 2001-02 season unfolds:

	With Tito Maddox gone, how high will Fresno State soar?

How good is Fresno State?
Coach Jerry Tarkanian told me earlier this summer that he feels this group can be very special, but point guard Tito Maddox is no longer with the team because he accepted tickets from an agent. Melvin Ely will still be a force in the middle and Chris Jeffries is a PTPer. Fresno State lost to Michigan State in the second round of the Big Dance last year; Tark feels this team can go further. But how will the Bulldogs respond to the loss of Maddox?

Will the coaching carousel end at Tulsa?
For the third time in three years, there's a new boss on the sidelines for the Golden Hurricane. Former assistant John Phillips should stay awhile, and that will give more stability to the program. Remember, Tulsa won the NIT championship last season, and Kevin Johnson and Greg Harrington both return. This program has 58 wins over the last two years. Tulsa has quality talent and deserves more publicity.

How will SMU perform A.S.?
That stands for After Sasser! Jeryl Sasser ended up going in the first round of the NBA draft. His absence leaves a big void to be filled at SMU.