The pieces are in place.

When the 2008-09 season ended with a 22-9 record and no trip to the NJCAA tournament for a second consecutive season, College of Southern Idaho men's basketball coach Steve Gosar said it was time to get things back on track.

The Golden Eagles appear poised to do just that.

In Gosar's first season as head coach last year, he had just one player returning from the 30-2 squad of 2007-08. But that was just the first challenge in a season chock full of trials.

Six players either chose to leave the program or were dismissed before and during the season, while injuries also took a toll. Starting wing Carrick Felix was lost for the season in the third game, while Boise State signee Daequon Montreal played much of the year with a hernia and battled foot injuries.

But this is a new year, and a new team: one with experience, depth and versatility.

"It's been so nice to have that core of returners, guys that know what it's going to take in this league to win," said Gosar, whose team is unranked in the NJCAA preseason poll for the first time in 11 seasons. "They're on board, and they want to win, they want to do what it takes."

Not only does CSI boast five sophomores, there are four redshirt freshmen as well. While depth was sparse a year ago, there is plenty of talent throughout the 16-man roster this year.

The optimism starts at the point. After CSI turned the ball over 542 times last year - nearly 18 a game - Gosar and his staff went after help on the guard line. They found it in Las Vegas products Pierre Jackson and D.J. Stennis, who join an improved Chuck Odum.

Stennis is a pass-first guard, while Odum can score it. The 5-foot-8 Jackson is a combination of the two.

On the wing, Los Angeles City College transfer Antonio Owens is a big-time scorer and defender, while Felix is healthy and should shine on both ends of the floor. Sophomore Byago Diouf started much of last season and is a tenacious defender that can add some flash offensively as well.

Up front, versatile 6-foot-7 forward Josten Thomas is joined by fellow redshirt Kenny Buckner, a 6-9 center. Athletic freshman Brandon Givens and sophomore center Romario Souza will also battle for starting roles.

Gosar said Thomas has "a big-time body and skills to go along with them" and could be a "special player."

And none of that factors in the possible midseason return of 7-foot center Aziz Ndiaye, the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder from last season.

"He's a huge difference-maker if we can have him back for the second half of the season," said Gosar.

Especially when Ndiaye is surrounded by solid outside shooters, unlike last year when the Golden Eagles shot just 31 percent from distance.

While this year's team doesn't possess the versatility of the 2007-08 squad that saw nine players sign with NCAA Division I programs, it has myriad multi-position players.

"This team has the ability to get out and really play fast," said Gosar, who added that CSI could go small with Thomas or Givens in the post and "really push it."

But the half-court is where this team intends to thrive offensively.

Odum sees the possibilities, calling his teammates "so skilled."

"In the scrimmages right now you can see the little teasers," he said. "We'll score like 15 points in five minutes. It's going to be like that for the whole game eventually."

Despite the tantalizing offensive combinations, Gosar said his team's success rides on one thing: "How well we guard in the half-court."

That's true in a Scenic West Athletic Conference that includes defending NJCAA champion Salt Lake Community College and preseason No. 5 North Idaho College, last year's regular-season SWAC champ.

While the 16th-ranked Bruins must replace all five starters, Gosar said they've reloaded.

"The road goes through Salt Lake right now," he said.

The Cardinals bring back first-team All-American and Region 18 player of the year Renado Parker, along with 7-footer Guy-Marc Michel. Gosar said the College of Eastern Utah has its deepest lineup in recent memory, while Snow College should be pesky once more.

"The team that wins this conference will be a well-tested team," said Gosar.

The Golden Eagles hope to be that team. There's experience, confidence and chemistry - "Everybody likes each other on the team," said Odum.

With that recipe in hand, CSI is ready to get on the tracks and ride them all the way to Hutchinson, Kan., and the NJCAA tournament.