Air Force guard Michael Lyons prepares to shoot during last year's game against Utah. Lyons is the Falcons leading scorer going into the 2011-12 season. (Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
The Falcons look to build on a seven-win improvement from 2010, but will need contributions from incoming freshmen to get over that hump.
Last season: Overall 16-16; Mountain West 6-10
Coach: Jeff Reynolds (fourth season)
Key player: G Michael Lyons (13.7 ppg., 3.5 reb.)
What to watch: The Falcons’ solid defense will need to step up even more this year, with three of the team’s top scorers graduating last year. Third-team All-Mountain West selection Michael Lyons can score in a variety of ways, and hit the 20-point mark seven times last season. The Falcons’ offense is largely perimeter-oriented, but Coach Jeff Reynolds said junior center Taylor Broekhuis (7.5 ppg., 3.4 reb.) has added weight and strength over the summer. Reynolds will rely on a slew of incoming freshmen to help bolster the team’s inside presence.
Season opener: Nov. 11, vs. Army.
